Outwords 206 December 2013

OutWords // Letter to the Editor

queer views, news, issues

OUTWORDS WISHES YOU A

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!

THE HOTTEST EVENTS TO CHECK OUT DURING THESE COLD MONTHS

THE BEST MUSIC TO

LOOK FOR IN 2014

OUR PICKS FOR SOME LAST-MINUTE GIFTS AND STYLE OPTIONS OutWords | December 2013 / January 2014 | Issue 206 | Serving the GLBTQ* Community Since 1994 July / August 2013 // www.outwords.ca

// 1

“ As an academic advisor I want my office space to feel welcoming and safe to everyone that I meet with, including LGBTT* individuals.”

Roxanne Dueck Academic Advisor

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.ca or 204-632-2404 www.rrc.ca/LGBTTInitiative

OutWords // Index

4 6 7

EDITORIAL

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR PROTECT GENDER UNDER HUMAN RIGHTS ACT NATIONAL NEWS BREIFS

SEXUALITY NOW GROUNDS FOR REFUGEE PROTECTION IN THE EU INTERNATIONAL NEWS BREIFS

8 12

20

24

HOW THE SOCHI OLYMPICS BROUGHT A COMMUNITY TOGETHER

WHERE YOUTH GO IN SEARCH OF HELP ONLINE

26

EXCHANGE HOTSPOT RESTAURANT GOES ON ICE

28

WINNIPEGGER CHALLENGES THE OLYMPICS

30

MUSIC FOR THE NEW YEAR

32

RAINBOW HARMONY PROJECT SPREADS HOLIDAY JOY

CANCER’S MARGINS SEEKS STORIES OF GLBTQ* CANCER SURVIVORS

13

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN GLBTQ* COUPLES

16

WHAT TO WEAR ON NEW YEAR’S EVE FASHION

WHAT TO DO IN WINNIPEG THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

21 22

THE PRAIRIES’ GAYEST HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

34

BIG FUN FESTIVAL TO HEAT THINGS UP THIS WINTER

35

LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE KICKS OFF NEW BRAND IN STYLE

36

NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL A SAFE BET FOR NEW DISCOVERIES

37

BOOK PRESENTS A SPIRITUAL GUIDE FOR GLBTQ* COMMUNITY

38

DEFINING QUEER CINEMA

40

EVERY CITY HAS ITS GAY

STREETER

44

THE BEST GIFT BUYS IN TECH

SUCCESSFUL WEB SERIES LOOKS TOWARDS SECOND SEASON

48

THE MEANING OF THE HOLIDAYS

YOUR THOUGHTS ON WINNIPEG’S GAY ENTERTAINMENT SCENE

ENTERTAINMENT COLUMN

TECH COLUMN

SPIRITUALITY COLUMN

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 3

OutWords // Editorial

EVEN A LUMP OF COAL CAN BEAR GIFTS

PUBLISHED BY THE OUTWORDS VOLUNTEER STAFF:

How Russia’s oppressive laws brought a global community together

FOOD AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR: Shayna Wiwierski

EDITOR : Ksenia Prints SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR : Miles McEnery MUSIC EDITOR: Danelle Cloutier ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Graeme Coleman NEWS, BOOKS AND MOVIES EDITOR: Meg Crane FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITOR: Jefre Nicholls

ART DIRECTOR & LAYOUT: Dylan Bekkering ASSISTANT LAYOUT: Michele Buchanan FINANCIAL OFFICER: Darrel Nadeau

T

he holidays bring with them a chance for reflection, an opportunity to look back and examine our mistakes and EDITORIAL achievements over KSENIA PRINTS the last year. For the international GLBTQ* community, the biggest story of 2013 has undoubtedly been the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympic Games. And boy, was there a lot to learn from in this saga.

We had exceptional moments, like Stephen Fry’s open letter to David Cameron and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

We had confusing statements, like when top Russian athlete Yelena Isinbayeva told a news conference, “Maybe we are different than European people and people from different lands. We have our law which everyone has to respect … We consider ourselves like normal, standard people, we just live boys with women, girls with boys ... it comes from the history,” only to backtrack within days and say she was misconstrued as homophobic. And we had profound disappointments, like the continuing shootings and beatings across Russia’s gay night clubs and Pride parades, or the IOC’s continuous, adamant refusal to see similarities between Russia’s nationalist political climate and the mood in Germany on the eve of the 1936 Summer Olympic Games. But above all else, we also had a global community that came together.

This is not to say that there were no disagreements within the GLBTQ* community regarding the Sochi Olympics. While many

4 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

called for an athletic boycott of the games, others advocated for a tourist boycott. Some had more creative ideas; in this issue, you can read about Dayne Moyer’s Change.org petition, which calls on athletes to show up on opening night with rainbow pins. Some gay athletes spoke against the Olympics and Russia’s laws, while others chose to stay mum. And at press time, no single course of action has been chosen.

But the community came together nonetheless. The fact that so many people, from so many corners of the world, GLBTQ*identifying or allied, chose to speak, write, sign, debate and listen, publically or privately, about this issue, means something. It means that GLBTQ* issues are no longer a niche topic that is to be whispered about, or the pet cause of singular activists. It means that GLBTQ* issues affect, and matter to, everyone. And that’s a pretty darn important thing to witness.

So I’d like to go on a limb here and say that in this year, I’d like to thank the Sochi Olympics for stirring up so much debate and awareness around GLBTQ* rights. I am not glad that Russia passed a law that looks like it was taken out of Stalin’s playbook, nor that so many innocent men and women have been hurt in their attempts to oppose it and defend their identity in public. But I am glad that upon hearing of this oppressive law, even the most disparate populations came together and formed a community, a worldwide Gay-Straight Alliance.

In terms of achievements, I think that’s a big one for 2013.

Do you disagree? Are you sick and tired of hearing about the Olympics? Email, Facebook, or tweet us @Outwords.

And have a safe, happy holiday season!

DISTRIBUTION: Jared Star, Terry Wiebe WEB MANAGER: Vic Hooper SALES MANAGER: Phil Olcen DESIGN INTERN: Christel Nadeau COVER ILLUSTRATION: Dylan Bekkering CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE: Gina Dascal, Larkin Schmiedl, Julia Gignac, Bowen, Paul Charbonneau, Ashley Field, Eric Plamondon, Kenton Smith, Jacob Thiessen, Armande Martine, Jessica Botelho-Urbanski, Zanna Joyce, Ian Robertson, Patrick Courcelles, Corey Shefman, Ray Buteau.

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OutWords // National News Briefs // Compiled by Meg Crane

In its official launch night party, the new business chamber provided awards to (left to right): Chad Smith, Jared Star, Dr. Dick Smith, Doug Nicholson, Mani Luangkhot, Patrick Maxwell, and Robb Ritchie. Photo by John Johnston

Lambda reborn WINNIPEG - The Manitoba LGBT Chamber of Commerce was created to replace the Lambda Business and Professional Club of Winnipeg, which was founded in 1988. The newly-branded organization aims to encourage an economy in Winnipeg that is supportive of diversity. The group promotes member businesses and supports them with programming, education, training and other resources. It will lobby for GLBTQ*-friendly government policies regarding business and equality of access to the business market. The Chamber also hosts mixers for member businesses to promote networking. The next one is Dec. 17 and is free for members to attend. For more information, check out http://mblgbt.biz.

Montreal’s Le Drugstore was only one of several Canadian GLBTQ* businesses to close their doors this year. Photo from Le Drugstore’s website

Alberta school trustee Jim Andre resigned his post amidst a furor over his offensive tweets. Photo from CBC News

school trustee accused of racism on social media EDMONTON - Alberta school trustee Jim Andre has been accused of posting and retweeting racist, sexist and homophobic comments on Twitter. Although the Battle River School Division trustee’s account has been taken down, some of the tweets have been saved and were published by CBC News. Andre admits his posts were inappropriate but claims not to be racist, sexist or homophobic. The school board was looking into their legal rights to fire Andre over the incident, but Andre resigned, apologizing to his voters but refusing to divulge specific information. The Battle River School Board is now planning social media training for board members.

Newfoundland and Labrador politician Gerry Rogers fought for changes to the Human Rights Act. Photo from CBC News

Gay businesses shutting down across Canada

Getting tough on discrimination

Priape, a Canadian chain of sex shops, was shut down in late October. After the Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary stores closed, it was sold and announced that the Montreal location will be kept open. Le Drugstore, a nightlife complex in Montreal, also shut down at the end of October. Both businesses were having financial difficulties. Daily Xtra reported that Montreal’s gay village looks very different today than it did five years ago, with the two festivals in decline and many businesses having shut down.

In 2007 Entrepreneur.com listed gay bars as one of the top 10 businesses to become obsolete in the next ten years. The reasons included growing acceptance in society leading to the community not feeling unwelcome in other establishments.

ST. JOHN’S - The Newfoundland and Labrador government plans to change language in the Human Rights Act to ban discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Justice Minister Darin King told CBC News that no discrimination based on the current language of the act prompted the change.

Rather it is to prevent any discrimination from happening. Other provinces have been making such changes and he felt it was time the maritime province followed. King credits St. John’s Centre Member of the House of Assembly Gerry Rogers with pushing for the change, which he hoped to introduce in late November.

6 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

OutWords // International News Briefs // Compiled by Meg Crane

Police protected the approximately 150 marchers in Montenegro’s second Pride parade. Photo from Huffington Post

Gay Pride parade protected PODGORICA, Montenegro – The Guardian reported that Montenegro is making an effort to show its support for the GLBTQ* community in its attempt to join the European Union.

In October, about 150 people took part in the southeastern European country’s second Pride parade in the city of Podgorica.

The group was protected by 2,000 police officers from 1,500 opponents to the parade. Twenty officers were injured by protestors throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. About 60 protestors were arrested. All the parade participants safely finished the march and were evacuated to a safe location.

The next parade has already been scheduled for June 2014.

According to the government website, the country wants to show it is dedicated to protecting the GLBTQ* community’s rights and freedoms.

People parade through Taiwan to support same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage in Asia-Pacific TAIPEI, Taiwan – The Huffington Post reported that the most recent GLBTQ* Pride parade in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, was intended to put pressure on the government to legalize same-sex marriage. The government began reviewing a gaymarriage bill on Oct. 26 that had support from 53 per cent of the public. Taiwan could become the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage and is already ahead of other Asian countries in terms of GLBTQ* rights. The country’s primary school curriculum includes sexual-orientation education and the GLBTQ* community is protected from prejudice, such as hiring discrimination. New Zealand became the first Asia-Pacific country to legalize same-sex marriage just this year, followed by the Australia Capital Territory (a self-governing territory in the southeast of Australia).

A U.S.-man sold his house to avoid harassing his neighbours. Photo by Diana Parkhouse.

Sexuality is now grounds for asylum in the European Union. Photo from ruleoflaw-lebanon.info

Verbal abuse taken seriously

Seeking asylum in the EU

PLYMOUTH, United States; LONDON, MANCHESTER, United Kingdom – Homophobic verbal abuse is not being tolerated by some officials around the world. According to PinkNews, Reginald Brayford was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison for harassing his neighbours in the U.S. Brayford admitted to shouting at a gay couple who lived on his street. His sentence was reduced to 12 weeks. A restraining order prevents him from contacting his soon-to-be-former neighbours. Brayford is selling his house and moving to prevent re-offending. In London, police are looking for a man accused of making homophobic comments towards a same-sex couple on a train. Nurse Laura O’Shea of Manchester was taken to court for directing homophobic language at a police officer.

EUROUPEAN UNION - According to The Telegraph, sexuality is now a grounds to apply for asylum in any European Union country. People with justified fear of persecution or human rights violations because of the social group they belong to and the country they live in can apply for European asylum. Europe’s highest court decided last month that people of certain sexual orientations can fit into this category.

The cases in question which led to this ruling were of three gay men from African countries fearing imprisonment. Next year, the Dutch courts are expected to decide how authorities should verify sexual orientation in such claims.

In our Health and Porn Bound Together story in Issue 205, a wrong name was printed for Kate Sinclaire. We apologize for this error.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 7

OutWords // News

IN THE SECOND PART OF THIS TWO-PART SERIES, WE EXAMINE THE LEADING SITES AND COMMUNITIES THAT PROVIDE ONLINE HELP FOR YOUTH

J

ust a quick Google search shows that many stories about LGBT youth can be easily found online, as the shelter promised by anonymity brings people a sense of security. Some of them likely had a happy ending. Others have been written just after heartbreaking situations, as a cry for help or laptop-lightened empathy. Some stories, like the story of Martin Lewis, are still in progress.

Lewis, 22, lives in Merseyside in North West England. When he was 17 and coming out, he started seeking online support. That’s how he came across EmptyClosets.com, a monitored online GLBTQ* community.

wired for help

By Gina Dascal

By Gina Dascal

that allow us to protect our members.” He continued, “We’re able to use a multidisciplinary approach to safeguarding that allows various professional careers to offer their own knowledge on safeguarding protection.

The end result of that is what you see operating on EC on a daily basis, and it’s what really helps separate us from other LGBT forums that happen to have a support section for its membership base.”

Empty Closets receives 150,000 visits monthly and in 2011 it had 11,000 members. Though these numbers are impressive, Lewis thinks the biggest achievement for Empty Closets comes from its members’ stories. “Sometimes the biggest achievement of all comes from the small success stories that we have, and it’s those stories that we love to hear.”

Courtesy of Dannielle Owens-Reid

When Dannielle Owens-Reid (right) and Kristin Russo (left) founded Everyone Is Gay, now one of the most popular GLBTQ* support sites, they were just looking to provide light-hearted advice to all who need it.

In addition to a forum where users can join discussions or start their own, Empty Closets (EC) also offers a chat room, useful articles and links. It even has a program that can help youth with medical, psychological or socialization issues. “I joined the forum with this idea in mind that I would never be able to come out and be accepted by those around me, but nine months later I actually came out to my family and friends and have never regretted it since,” says Lewis. Now he’s not only an administrator of the forum, but he’s also the president of the board for Empty Closets Community Services and has helped transform it into a legally-recognized non-profit organization registered in California.

Lewis is planning on going for a PhD, to research how the Internet has shaped the lives of GLBTQ* youth. “My main motivation for working at EC is that I want to see everybody reach a stage of acceptance that is vitally important for being happy in life, and my ability to empathize

EVERYONE IS EQUAL

with closeted members is a great motivation,” he says. “What you have to remember about EC is that our staff team consists of people who joined the organization originally seeking support, and that allows us to possess a considerable degree of empathy.”

Since 2011, EC has been owned and operated by Empty Closets Community Services, a non-profit that exists to provide support services related to GLBTQ* issues and similar services to those in need. It runs with the help of 25 volunteers, including site administrators, moderators, a licensed nurse and a licensed clinical social worker.

Lewis says one of the necessary features of Empty Closets is its stringent security.

Around 2008, an incident on the site required the administrators to contact the local authorities to protect an underage member from potential danger. “I can’t go into details about the incident in question, but that incident allowed us to evaluate what presence we wanted to play online. As a result, we implemented a variety of safeguarding procedures

Dannielle Owens-Reid is the founder, along with Kristin Russo, of the popular website Everyone Is Gay. Starting in 2010 as an advice website with emphasis on GLBTQ* youth, Everyone Is Gay now reaches its audience on social networks with 60,000 Tumblr followers, 20,000 Facebook fans and 1,000,000 views on YouTube. The duo also has made appearances at universities such as Harvard and Stanford and is planning to increase awareness at high school and college campuses through an ongoing, nation-wide tour.

Owens-Reid says Everyone is Gay began as a way to help GLBTQ* youth in a casual, more attractive way, thanks to an easy going sense of humour. She has a long trajectory in the world of drama, particularly in improv and sketch comedy. “We didn’t allow comments on our posts until very recently. Once we did, it really just opened up the door for people to say ‘you can do this!’ or ‘This happened to me!’ In general, the people on our site are there to both give and receive help.

No one comes to everyoneisgay.com just to make people feel terrible,” says Owens-Reid.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 9

OutWords // News

When Owens-Reid and Russo decided to make Everyone is Gay more interactive, their concern about the problems of the users grew as they began asking about complex issues such as cases of bullying and suicide. She says that the fact that the youth started coming to the website to raise serious concerns is not surprising. “It’s much, much easier to talk about heavy things when there is an air of humour. Giving someone the space to laugh gives them an automatic sense of relief. Think about when you’re talking to your best friend about your problems; sure, you talk about all the serious parts of the issue, but also you manage to sneak in a few Taylor Swift references and a joke about Pretty Little Liars, you know? We have the same vibe.”

The girls are now assembling a panel capable of addressing delicate issues like domestic abuse or contemplations of suicide.

They’re also working with another site to generate more resources. “I think the less we harp on how ‘different’ people are because of their sexuality or identity, the better,” says Owens-Reid. “We put ourselves in a very difficult situation when we say things like ‘your life can be normal even though you’re gay.’ You’re automatically making people feel like they are strange or different or deserve to be treated differently when really, that isn’t the case. We should all be treated equally regardless of how we identify or who we love or

“I joined the forum with this idea that I would never be able to come out and be accepted…but nine months later I actually came out and have never regretted it.”

Martin Lewis, EmptyClosets.com

what’s underneath our clothes. I think more dialogue is crucial, and I think the lightness that Kristin and I bring to these subjects is ridiculously helpful.”

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? Because of the huge range of resources available on the Internet, it’s difficult to imagine who is responsible for helping GLBTQ* youth looking for help online, especially while talking about popular, but poorly regulated sites like Yahoo Answers.

Lewis from Empty Closets says, “My biggest qualm with resources like Yahoo Answers is that there’s very little consideration put into its safeguarding and monitoring. I can’t help but think it’s somewhat irresponsible to create sections of support that will inevitably touch upon highly personal and sensitive issues, and to allow any random person to reply without stringent policies in place to protect people from inappropriate advice. As a social worker I have come to appreciate that individual organizations work best when they’re able to specialize on a certain area of support, compared to those who attempt to monopolize all aspects of support

and subsequently have a mediocre understanding of it.”

On the other hand, even though Everyone is Gay was supposed to be a completely humorous website, Owens-Reid and Russo felt compelled to take on the responsibility of helping youth who had serious comments.

“The responsibility comes with the territory,” says Owens-Reid. “The first time we ever decided to answer a serious question, we knew we were making a decision and things were going to change.” Referring youth to a website designed only to answer serious questions was not a possibility for OwensReid and Russo, because sites like that are not common on the Internet.

Slowly but surely, GLBTQ* youth has been creating their own resources and go-to places online. What fear sometimes stopped us from saying a few decades ago, can now be found in every home that has a computer and Internet access. Most impressive is the fact that resources can be created immediately. Even if the society you’re in doesn’t support GLBTQ* youth, you’ll find that there’s a bigger one that does: the worldwide, multicultural universe of the Internet. If you can’t find what you need, chances are somebody is trying to develop what is missing for you.

So what are you waiting for? The possibilities are endless. Enjoy your trip and just remember, never give your password to a stranger. All aboard!

- Gina Dascal is a Winnipeg- based author with a background in aesthetics and cultural studies.

OutWords // Letter to the Editor

We Are Proud to Stand Up for All Manitobans

Greg Selinger

MLA for St. Boniface Premier of Manitoba 204-237-9247 GregSelinger.ca

Jennifer Howard

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MLA for Fort Rouge MLA for Assiniboia 204-946-0272 204-888-7722 JenniferHoward.ca JimRondeau.mb.ca

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July / August 2013 // www.outwords.ca // 11

OutWords // News

Mapping out cancer in the GLBTQ* community Unique project aims to identify the experiences of breast and gynecologic cancer in the GLBTQ* community

By Ksenia Prints

F

rom Eastern to Western Canada, it appears that cancer knows no bounds and discriminates against no one in its spread. Yet the experience of breast and gynecologic cancer can look very different based on our gender and sexual identity.

Now, an innovative research project aims to hear from lesbian, bisexual, queer women and two-spirit and trans folks from different provinces just what their cancer story looks like, and you can be a part of the process.

Cancer’s Margins is the first national research to look into the experience of GLBTQ* people with cancer. Over the next two years, teams of researchers from five universities will hold interviews in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, in an attempt to put together a comprehensive body of first-hand accounts from GLBTQ* breast and gynecological cancer survivors.

The project is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and led by Mary Bryson, a professor of language and literacy education with the University of British Columbia. The idea for the research germinated after Bryson faced both breast and gynecologic cancer, and realized there

was a severe lack of GLBTQ* knowledge communities around the experience of facing those cancers.

“We know that the individuals in the LGBTQ* community are less likely to have a regular doctor, [less likely] to participate in breast and gynecological screenings, and we know from studies that LGBTQ* women might be at a higher risk of breast and gynecological cancer,” said Janice Ristock, a professor with the department of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Manitoba, and Cancer’s Margins lead researcher in Manitoba.

Cancer’s Margins aims to map the GLBTQ* experience with breast and gynecologic cancer in its entirety, from screening and diagnosis, to care and treatment, with special attention paid to the role of support networks. The researchers want to understand what exactly individuals value about their care and support networks, how they educate themselves, and what they consider culturally competent care.

“LGBTQ* are more likely to be more dissatisfied with health care providers in general, and during cancer treatment in particular,” said Ristock. She attributes this

dissatisfaction to assumptions to a common heteronormative approach, saying that doctors are likely to “make assumptions about patients’ identities” and choices of partners.

However, the support networks GLBTQ* patients turn to are also unknown. For example, Winnipeg has never had a GLBTQ* support group for cancer.

The Manitoba team is currently looking for more participants all across the province, thanks to funding and support from the Rainbow Resource Centre and the Women’s Health Clinic. They hope to interview 20 respondents about their breast and gynecological cancer experience, and another 20 members of their support networks.

Ristock hopes that the study will help create more resources and support for GLBTQ* people facing cancer.

If you’re interested in helping to improve Canada’s understanding of the unique implications of gender and sexuality to the process of battling cancer, email cancers_margins@umanitoba.ca. At the end of each interview, the respondents will be compensated for their time with a $25 honourarium.

- Ksenia Prints is the editor of OutWords magazine.

12 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

OutWords // Letter to the// Editor OutWords News

vi lence DOMESTIC ABUSE IN THE QUEER COMMUNITY

By Larkin Schmiedl

A

n issue beginning to come to light, domestic violence in queer relationships, is misunderstood by many. With rates comparable to violence in straight relationships, yet mired in a homophobic culture, queer people of all stripes who are living with abuse find themselves with fewer resources to draw upon, and fewer people on their side.

Services available for cisgender women are typically well-known, though not always welcoming to queer women. And services for men and trans people are less well-known and sometimes just don’t exist. Other issues facing the queer community revolve around police misunderstanding and minimizing same-sex relationship violence, making it difficult for queer people to get help. >>

July / August 2013 // www.outwords.ca // 13

OutWords // Columns/Opinions News

tional support. “They made it very easy,” he

than staff. And the trans women he knows

Canada, Winnipeg’s Men’s Resource Centre

said. “Even as I was dealing emotionally with

of who have gotten help have been in mixed-

caters to all men regardless of orientation or

what I was going through and wasn’t able to

gender relationships, with violence coming

gender history. According to Steve Suth-

think straight.”

at the hands of male partners. He noted that

Providing the only shelter of its kind in

erland, therapist and administrator at the

Though resources available for women

centre, it can house men as they leave an

are more common, they aren’t available to all

abusive relationship and help them get back

women. The situation for trans women seek-

on their feet.

ing shelter in Winnipeg could be described

falls into the heteronormative pattern assumed of domestic violence.

Sutherland refers trans women to Sage House. “They’re very LGBT friendly,” he

Dan, who will be identified by his first

as dire. Bradley Tyler-West, LGBT* program

said. “But that would be the only shelter I

name only, was a client of the centre earlier

facilitator at Winnipeg’s Sexuality Education

know in Winnipeg that would be provid-

this year. After being closeted in an abusive

Resource Centre (SERC), said, “I have heard

ing services to that segment of the popula-

relationship for a number of years, married

of individual experiences of trans women

tion.” Sage House could not be reached for

to a wife he was financially controlled by

who have gone into shelter and some have

confirmation.

due to his immigrant status and who he felt

had a good experience there getting access to

There are resources available for women

he had to marry, Dan made his escape. “I

support and services, and some did not – and

in lesbian relationships. Yet if shelter is need-

would not have been able to do it without

I think that’s really based on their ability to

ed, sometimes a lack of sensitivity can limit

the Men’s Resource Centre.”

pass or be stealth.” He’s heard the problems

access. Glenda Dean, executive director of

have come from residents at shelters rather

Winnipeg’s Alpha House, said she sees a

The centre signed Dan up for unemployment insurance. It also helped him find lowincome housing and spruce up his resumé.

“I didn’t have a place to go because of how isolated I had been,” he said. “I didn’t really know anyone well enough that I could ask them to crash on their couch. The biggest help was [that] they provided shelter.” While waiting for his first cheque to arrive, the centre provided meals. And Dan found emo-

“We are hearing more conversations...

It’s nowhere near where it needs to be, but it is definitely better than it was, say, four or five years ago.”

14 // December July / August 2013 2013 / January // www.outwords.ca 2014 // www.outwords.ca

Bradley Tyler-West, Sexuality Education Resource Centre

OutWords // Letter to the// Editor OutWords News

“real gap” in lesbian and bisexual women utilizing shelters. Although she said she doesn’t know why that gap exists, she said perhaps shelters have not reached out enough to the community.

According to a workshop for service pro-

“They made it very easy, even as I was dealing emotionally with what I was going through and wasn’t able to think straight.”

Dan, former client of the Men’s Resource Centre

viders presented by Saskatoon’s The Avenue Community Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity Inc., lesbians often experience a

discrimination can be especially bad in First

lack of understanding about the seriousness

Nations communities.

of abuse when violent incidents are reported

The Rainbow Resource Centre is another place victims of abuse can receive counsel-

But he added that police are making

ling and support. Located at 170 Scott St.,

to therapists, police or doctors. Because

steps, and so is the Province of Manitoba. A

the centre has pamphlets for those who are

of homophobia, queer relationships are

GLBTQ* domestic violence working group

wondering if their relationship might be abu-

sometimes seen to be inherently unstable or

was launched in November 2012 and began

sive and has counsellors trained in helping

unhealthy.

distributing posters and brochures address-

fill out protection orders.

When abuse happens, police will some-

ing the issue of queer domestic violence last

Tyler-West said, “We are hearing more

conversations... so that is encouraging — a

times be called to domestic violence scenes.

month. Part of the group’s mandate is to

Both Tyler-West and Sutherland have

provide GLBTQ*-sensitivity training to staff

small light at the end of the very dark tunnel.

heard in their work with men about police

at service organizations. According to Beth

It’s nowhere near where it needs to be, but

incidents where violence was minimized or

Ulrich, executive director of Manitoba’s Sta-

it is definitely better than it was, say, four or

male victims of abuse were even mocked.

tus of Women, who the group is hosted by,

five years ago.”

Myths such as that abuse doesn’t happen

shelters are working on some of their issues.

to men, or for men in relationships with

“That’s a commitment where I think some

women that it can’t happen because the

shelters are probably more ahead of others

man is bigger or women aren’t aggressive,

perhaps. I think that there’s a willingness

lead police to sometimes misunderstand

and an awareness now that ‘OK, we need to

abusive situations, said Sutherland. He said

make sure we’re being respectful’,” she said.

- Larkin Schmiedl is a freelance journalist from Vancouver, B.C. He’s an LGBTI contributing editor with rabble.ca, the former host of a queer-issues radio show called Gaydio, and he loves to write about social and environmental justice.

December 2013 July // January August 2013 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 15

THE

HOLIDAY

TRAIL BLAZERS By: Jefre Nicholls

Photography & fashion: Jefre Nicholls

Styling, hair & makeup: Julia Gignac

Models: Bowen, courtesy of Swish Model Management, & Paul Charbonneau

In classic Hollywood movies of old, leading men never failed to uphold the dapper institution of the tuxedo.

Glamorous parties were pictured strewn with variations of the black and white penguin suit, and so, society followed, solidifying the staple for occasional or special event dressing. New Year’s Eve countdowns and holiday shindigs are always attended in traditional men’s trimmings; that is, until today. With so many options in beautiful prints and patterns this year, take flight from the land-bound bird suit. It’s okay to stand out at a party. Be the gent that little by little is inching men’s fashion forward; embrace it, and this holiday party season, be the trail blazer.

16 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

Plaid & Camouflage Paul wears a red plaid tartan blazer jacket by Vito, available at www.gotstyle. com. Grey striped tuxedo jacket and black skinny jeans

by Joe Fresh. Black bow tie, available at Le Chateau.

Bowen wears a camouflage blazer by Van Gils, available at www.gotstyle.com. Plaid button-up shirt and army green corduroys by Joe Fresh. Frames by Retro Super Future. Watch by Thomas Sabo. Dog tags, stylist’s own.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 17

Grey & Plaid Bowen wears charcoal and plaid panel-blocked blazer by Bustle, available at www.gotstyle.com.

Red diamond patterned button-up by Ted Baker.

Cuffed skinny jeans by Joe Fresh. Watch by Thomas Sabo. Pocket-square by Tommy Hilfiger. Ombretoed Chelsea boot, available at Winners.

18 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

White & Patterned Paul wears white cotton dinner jacket by Sand, available at www.gotstyle. com. Black turtleneck and silver metallic thread knit circle scarf by Joe Fresh.

Tuxedo pant and blue overcoat by Christopher Bates. Black and silver with black zirconia stacked skull bracelets by Thomas Sabo.

Bowen wears a red dot silk evening jacket by Sand, available at www. gotstyle.com. Camel and leather belted overcoat by Christopher Bates. White tuxedo shirt, black skinny jeans, and black chunky knit, pom-pom toque from Joe Fresh. Navy and yellow polka dot bow tie by Tommy Hilfiger.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 19

OutWords // Entertainment

10

THINGS TO DO DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON Compiled by Ashley Field

Dec. until the

14

Dec.

Colorado’s Philip Grecian brings his rendition of the holiday classic A Christmas Story to the main stage at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. He tells the story of Ralphie and the infamous Red Ryder B.B. Gun. Single tickets start at $25. For show times or to purchase tickets, visit www.mtc.mb.ca.

31

Rainbow Stage celebrates its diamond anniversary, Diamonds are Forever. The theme is James Bond meets Doctor Zhivago, so imagine Bond men and women in sexy bathing suits as they serve drinks. This event is at the new WOW! Hospitality restaurant in Kildonan Park. For information, visit www.rainbowstage.ca.

Dec.- Jan.

5

Dec.

14

Fame Nightclub is hosting the Mr. Gay Manitoba competition. Contenders will be judged on their personality, pride and how they’ve given back to the community. The winner will go on to represent Manitoba in the Mr. Gay World competition in Whistler, B.C. Admission is $5 at the door.

For more information, visit www.famenightclubwinnipeg.com.

Dec.

20 Fame hosts the Fame Christmas Party. Santa and elves will give away over 200 presents, including flat-screen TVs, The Keg gift certificates, clothing, sexy toys, iPads and more. And on December 31, ring in the new year at Fame’s Top Secret 007 Bond Party. For more information, visit www.famenightclubwinnipeg.com.

Take a drive through the beautiful Winter Wonderland light display at the Red River Exhibition Park. This Canad Inns annual tradition is a 2.5 kilometres drive featuring over one million lights and 26 themed areas, as well as fun stops along the way. For more information, visit www.redriverex.com.

Jan.

10-12

On Jan. 10-12, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra presents Symphony Idol with past American Idol contestant LaKisha Jones. A fun new show, Jones is joined by American Idol friends Haley Scarnato and Matt Giraud singing songs, including “Girl on Fire” and “Don’t Stop Believing.”

For more information and ticket prices, visit www.wso.ca.

Jan.

10-12

Dec.

20 The holiday classic Nutcracker is back at the Centennial Concert Hall. Brought to you

by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy. For more information or to buy tickets, go to www.rwb.ca.

Dec.

29

Vida Lamour hosts Gayrotic Drag Queen Bingo at Club 200, and on Dec 31 they will ring in the new year with New Year’s Eve: Hong Kong Nights—an elegant celebration with an Asian flair. Club 200 is also open seven days a week starting at 4 p.m., with daily themed nights and specials! For more information, visit www.club200.ca.

20 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

The Great Canadian Wellness Tour celebrates its 20th anniversary at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg. Focused on helping people be proactive in their own wellness, this expo features products and services to purify your mind, body and soul, just in time for the post-holidays detox. To check out this year’s exhibitors, visit www.welnessexpo.com.

Jan.

29 Award-winning Canadian comedian Debra DiGiovanni will be back in Winnipeg, making audiences laugh with The Late Bloomer Tour. DiGiovanni is working with Just For Laughs for this cross-Canada tour. The show is at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre. Tickets are $44.25, and you can purchase them at www.ticketmaster.ca.

OutWords // Entertainment

WHERE DO YOU GO FOR GLBTQ*

?

ENTERTAINMENT

We hit the streets to find out what some of your go-to places are for GLBTQ* entertainment. Do you like a night out on the dance floor at a club? Do you prefer the chill vibe of a local pub? Or do you hang out somewhere else?

We also wanted to know what your thoughts were on our GLBTQ* nightlife.

Gio’s closed its doors nearly one year ago after 31 years of service. If you desire going to a GLBTQ* establishment here in Winnipeg, you have two choices: Fame Nightclub and Club 200. So is it time Winnipeg welcomes a new GLBTQ* venue? Or are we happy with the way things are?

By Ashley Field

r e t e e r t S

Trevor Hnatowich, 22, musician

“I usually go to The Toad (in the Hole), because it’s close to where a lot of my friends live and I always have a good time there. The music isn’t too loud, so you can talk to your friends and there’s good food and good drinks and it’s always fun.” Should Winnipeg have more GLBTQ* spaces? “Yes. I think as long as there’s demand for more venues, then there’s no reason there shouldn’t be more.”

Josh Sapoznik,

eering intern

21, student/engin

uses and at “I like to party at ho rs aren’t raves mainly—the ba

ould GLBTQ* innipeg have more

really my scene.” Sh

W ly could use spaces? “We definite

, but I think a more LGBT* spaces uld be better gay pub or lounge wo r se. Something than another bar pe a community.” that feels more like

Alexandra Martin, 21, waitress

“When I go out it’s usually to either The Toad, Cousin’s or King’s Head Pub. The atmosphere is laid back and I never end up spending a lot of money.” Should Winnipeg have more GLBTQ* spaces?

“I think it’s important for there to be enough establishments in Winnipeg to represent the LGBT* community. Gay bars aren’t exclusive to LGBT*s.

I have had so many fun nights at Fame and Gio’s with my girlfriends—gay and straight. More gay bars mean more places for the LGBT* community to dance without feeling judgement. I think it’s important.”

Hilary Brezden,

22, marketing consultant

“Basically anywhere with live music and good people. The Toad and Cavern mostly.”

Should Winnipeg have more GLBTQ* spaces? “I don’t think Winnipeg needs more gay bars. I’d rather see something like a pub so people can go for casual drinks and tapas rather than have to get down with a DJ.”

Amanda Burgess, 30, personal banker

“Anywhere in the Corydon or Osborne area is usually my top choice! G Martini Bar and the lounge at The Grove are currently my two favourite places.” Should Winnipeg have more GLBTQ* spaces?

“If there is a market for it, then absolutely.”

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 21

OutWords // Entertainment

By Eric Plamondon

New webseries

W

eb series are making gay TV more accessible. They are a relatively new trend that has been surfacing often in the last few months, to varying degrees of professionalism.

Hunting Season, a web series born out of a successful blog, is at the head of the pack.

And with Season 2 in the works through a Kickstarter campaign, it’s worth checking out Season 1 over the holidays.

Hunting Season is a Jon Marcus creation. After falling in love with The Great Cock Hunt, a 2005-2008 blog that covered the exploits of a gay 30-year-old Gawker employee named Alex, and its accurate

The Great Cock Hunt, a 2005-2008 blog that inspired Jon Marcus to creat the show Hunting Season.

portrayal of the New York dating scene, Marcus felt compelled to bring his own vision to life. The show’s first season has eight episodes, all about 10 to 15 minutes long, focusing on the same Alex who wrote the blog entries for The Great Cock Hunt.

The show’s appeal is that while Alex is living a lifestyle that is heavily influenced by the unique circumstances of New York, it also speaks to a potentially universal experience. It is about transitioning out of

brings focus to the genital area your 20s and into your 30s and what that means. The writing is careful in not judging oneself and the youthful choices one makes, as well as what we carry over into our 30s.

As the show is about how we live and how we want to live, its supporting cast offers the same non-judgmental liberties. Having said that, we obviously have comments to make about how we spend our nights, and who we spend them with, and what it says about who we are. No judgment though (wink wink).

This is the intended purpose. “I wasn’t really concerned with trying to make big statements,” said Marcus. “I wanted to be honest and real and capture New York as part of the fabric of our lives.” If you do that right, it’s the honesty that makes it relatable to a wider group of people. I think Marcus is honest in framing the show in this way, as cities do influence us. Living in Winnipeg will be different than San Francisco and Abu Dhabi. But there are certain universal truths of living that transcend our settings.

What Marcus also understands is that pretty faces and pretty bodies go a long way, but solid acting is important to make the characters credible. And Ben Baur is not only credible in portraying Alex, but he also brings a decent acting bio to support his natural beauty and appealing voice (important when narration is a key element to the project). The rest of the cast is diverse, allowing viewers to appreciate the main character but also pick their favourite on-screen hotties based on their own personal tastes (no judgment). All cast members have acting credits to back up their presence.

Hunting Season does understand its clientele, and the medium it speaks to them

22 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

“The ride is just beginning, you can expect Season 2 to go much deeper into their lives.”

Jon Marcus, creator of Hunting Season

with. The website allows you to view the episodes for free, but only the censored version. To see the uncensored version and truly benefit from the casting choices, you have to dish out $3 an episode. If you splurge for the uncensored version, you might be surprised how decent a deal that is.

And as the show’s creators seek to continue its success, they look to their adoring fans for help. A Kickstarter campaign to fund Season 2 was ongoing throughout November. However, as of press time and with only two weeks to go, the campaign was one third of its way towards reaching its $150,000 funding goal.

But the show’s creators already have

OutWords // Entertainment

the show’s Season 2 all planned out. Marcus promises that “the ride is just beginning, you can expect Season 2 to go much deeper into their lives.” So you’re not far behind even if you don’t know the series, since the first season was about setting up the world and getting introduced to the characters.

The show’s devoted audience and cast are all looking forward to “deeper” character development. “I’m excited to see him continue to fumble through his life and make mistakes,” Ben Baur contemplates on his character, “and I’m really excited about all the hot guys he may be hooking up with.” Clearly, the show’s creator and actors understand its appeal.

But even though it’s the hot guys and the nice cocks that get us to watch and keep watching, it’s the realism and the raw treatment of the subjects that gives depth to

the show and allows it to stand out. When asked about his portrayal of Alex Baur brings up some of this depth. “Of course there are elements of me in Alex. Honestly though, I think I learned a lot from Alex.

He’s so out there and himself and he does not apologize for it and that’s something I try to do in my life.”

Ultimately, it’s what we all try to do in our lives; live with confidence our most authentic gay self possible.

Season 1 can be found on www.huntingseason.tv - Eric Plamondon is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.

NOW HIRING Adonis Spa Inc. is currently accepting applications for part time permanent employment. Previous customer service experience is an asset. Please apply in person with resume at 1060 Main Str. December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 23

OUTWORDS’ Grand Gift Guide

By Jefre Nicholls

A

strange thing happens every year at the same time. The second the clock strikes midnight on All Hallows’ Eve, retailers all across North America begin rolling out “The Holidays.” This experience can only be described as jarring.

Just when you had finally stopped mourning the loss of summer and began to settle nicely into fall with perfectly timed and appropriate sentiments of ghouls, zombies and sexy lumberjacks (sexy anything, really), you are forced to propel forward in a frantic sprint to the ohso-stressful holiday season. Overnight, bins of candy are replaced with oranges wrapped in green tissue paper, store pillars are bejewelled with decorations, and fake snow and the cheeriest music known to man can be heard coming out of every door with a cash register inside.

Now, most of us can handle the bulk of shopping for our boyfriend, girlfriend, parent and sibling without too much difficulty, but there is always that person – you know the one – who is impossible to find a gift for. You can’t prepare for them and the deadline for their present presentation always seems to sneak up on you. But fear not, oh reader, for this year OutWords is here to accessorize you with the perfect solution to all those last minute, impossible to shop for gifts.

FASHIONABLE TIMEPIECES THAT FEEL LIKE LUXURY IN EVERY WAY BUT COST With the way we accessorize nowadays, trends come and go quicker than a Kardashian marriage. Caravelle New York has come up with a solution for the difficult task of making sure our wrists and punctuality stay trendy. With watches that look and feel like you just walked out of a Rolex advertisement, and a price tag of less than a dinner for two, you can shop often, switch it up always, and never miss being on the forefront of fashion. $75-$150, available at Sears, Independent Jewellers, and The Bay.

COLLECTABLE ART THAT YOU WEAR AND THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK For the art lover and the professional, Unfamous’ line of retroinspired illustration pocket squares are sure to pop. Artist Gary Taxali has designed five collectable, whimsical pieces of pocket art, inspired by major Canadian cities. The collection launched this year at Harry Rosen and is the perfect way to take a little piece of art with you every day. Whether you want to hang them on your wall, or puff them up to transform even the drabbest office outfit, one thing is clear: with any one of these you won’t stay Unfamous for long. $95, available exclusively at Harry Rosen.

24 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

OutWords // Lifestyle and Food

THE ACCESSORY THEY’LL TAKE WITH THEM Give them a bite out of the most colourful iPhone yet, the iPhone 5C. Or just open your friend’s eyes to the endless options of cases they have to express themselves, their creativity and their quirkiness wherever they may go. Regardless of what colour of the rainbow they fancy themselves, this will be the gift you know they won’t re-gift. $129 to $799, cases start at $35, available at mobility retailers everywhere and www.apple.ca.

WEARABLE PEARLS OF WISDOM Canadian jewellery designer Jon De Porter rolled out his first men’s line this summer, making pearls available to men for the first time. His versatile line of beautiful, handcrafted pieces is the perfect fusion of masculinity and femininity. $110-$245, available at www.jondeporter.com.

REBEL WITH A NEW CAUSE Here is a collection of holiday hits for that person who walks against the current with a certain badass charisma and sexiness. You know, the one who always looks like they just woke up after a long night at a rock concert. Give them the perfect accessories to heighten their look and products to refresh their faces, just so that they can do it all over again the very next night. Thomas Sabo’s Rebel at Heart collection captures the essence of the rock lifestyle in a variety of beautiful sterling silver and leather pieces that are so cool they make it hard to give as gifts. The essential kit ($58) from Canadian grooming aficionados Rebels Refinery is perfect for any handsome devil and will ensure his smouldering eyes and perma-five-o-clock-shadow always look on point, but without looking like he’s trying too hard.

MAKE IT SPARKLE

Available at www.thomassabo.com, www.gotstyle.com & www.rebelsrefinery.com.

$25, available at liquor stores.

If all else fails and you find yourself empty-handed at the end of a long, frustrating search, give the gift that you can enjoy together. In seasonally festive bottles, Bottega Il Vino De Poeti Gold Brut Prosecco will put a smile on your recipient’s face and dull the pain and insanity of the holiday shopping season for you.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 25

OutWords // Lifestyle & Food

UNPRETENTI US AND RAW Deer + Almond chef Mandel Hitzer brings his “clean, honest food” atop the Assiniboine ice this winter By Kenton Smith

S

o laid back is chef Mandel Hitzer, you wouldn’t think his restaurant has seen line-ups out the door. Or, that his staff has had to turn customers away.

Yet Deer + Almond, occupying the former location of Princess Grill at 85 Princess Street, and named by WHERE Winnipeg magazine as one of Canada’s Top 10 New Restaurants in 2012, has been such a hit since opening in April of that year, that it meant a personal milestone for Hitzer: he was able to call his parents and say they needn’t worry about him anymore.

“It’s been crazy busy from the get-go, and at first we didn’t even have a sign,” said the 31-year-old chef and co-owner, who credits social media for how the business hit the ground running. “We’re booked every weekend.

It’s a fight to get a table.”

Which means the restaurant may even see lineups in the dead of a Winnipeg winter, adding incentive to book any holiday dinner dates sooner rather than later.

Not that such action seems to stress Hitzer one grain. The restaurant itself hasn’t been Hitzer’s only hit. Last February, RAW: almond, a temporary eatery co-founded by Hitzer with Raw Gallery director Joe Kalturnyk, was set up on the ice of the Assiniboine River, with patrons coughing up $85 a pop for five courses prepared by a succession of local young chefs.

Tickets for the inaugural edition almost sold out before opening, and the event even got ink in Maclean’s magazine. It’s no surprise then that Hitzer reports going “full-steam ahead” with a 2014 incarnation.

Food-wise, just what kind of restaurant was opened is more open-ended. One constant is the small plates; the place has even described itself as a tapas bar on its Facebook page. Over at Urbanspoon, the labels American, International and French are overlappingly applied.

Ask Hitzer, and he’ll provide the simpler framework of “comfort food.” The menu has touted such varied fare as smoked lamb ragout, pork belly with plum sauce and pea risotto.

“Simple rustic,” Hitzer alternatively suggested. And playful. Take Benny and the Jets, a brown butter hollandaise variation on classic eggs Benedict, with brioche bread; it’s the perfect breakfast-anytime dish.

Yet the real key to the eclecticism, Hitzer continues, is Canada’s multicultural mosaic.

“I can borrow from any culture, and the amalgamation is beautiful. Why put any boundaries on food?”

Indeed, he declares himself committed to creating new experiences for Winnipeggers, with the menu changing every three months (though he notes Benny and the Jets seems to now be a staple).

If Hitzer has any explanation for his success, it’s “a good mix of good, clean, honest food. At reasonable prices.” And, with its big bay windows overlooking the street, the entire place seems to have been infected with Hitzer’s relaxed vibe, feeling removed from the action while simultaneously overlooking it.

Indeed, as the prevailing industry wisdom goes, location is (almost) everything.

Regarding Hitzer’s chosen spot, even chef Scott Bagshaw of the hugely popular Deseo once enthused that he would have “loved” to have done something with the place.

Yet Hitzer recognizes any viable restaurant at the downtown corner would “have to be a destination.” Luckily, “there’s lots of things happening in the Exchange,” he continued, his enthusiasm for the city unmistakable. “It’s the heart of Winnipeg, which has become a great place. It’s the best.”

The commitment to taking things easy may be another component of success. It’s clear that there’s no ego with Hitzer; if his nickname isn’t already “The Dude”, it should be.

“This isn’t a ‘Yes, chef’ fucking kitchen,” he said. “We’re just going to have a good time while we’re here.”

- Kenton Smith is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. He highly recommends Benny & the Jets.

Chef Mandel Hitzer of the hugely popular Deer + Almond does not rule his kitchen. Instead, he lets creativity run free, and Winnipeggers lap up the results. Photo by Kenton Smith

26 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

Make up for last year’s gift.

Liquor Mart Gift Cards, always the perfect fit.

LiquorMarts.ca

Please drink responsibly - Moderation tastes es so much better TeapotAdOutwardsFNL.indd 1

13-10-28 6:24 PM

OutWords // Sports

GETTING THE

#GoldMedalMessage OUT

By Graeme Coleman

WINNIPEGGER’S POWERFUL CHANGE.ORG PETITION SEEKING VICTORY

W

hile people across the world were busy calling for an unlikely boycott of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, a Winnipegger developed a more fitting solution. In late July, Dayne Moyer created a Change.org petition that asks the Canadian, U.S., British and Paralympic teams to take a stand against discrimination by wearing rainbow pins to the opening ceremonies of the Games. By press time, the petition had nearly 40,000 supporters - but with the signature count plateauing and Sochi Winter Games approaching, Moyer’s looking for a second wind.

This past summer, Russia became home to the anti-gay laws which prohibit “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” and any protests provoked by them. The laws will affect all attendees of the Sochi Games, and many people worldwide are demanding that human rights come before sports.

In the wake of the controversy, Winnipeg GLBTQ* activist and athlete Moyer created the Change.org petition he calls the #GoldMedalMessage. He believes boycotts would harm hard-working athletes and have a negative effect on the GLBTQ* community in Russia. “That’s going to turn into extreme violence against Russians, so the GLBTQ* people in Russia are going to feel the backlash,” said Moyer. “It’s about finding the most practical thing where everyone’s safe and everyone’s competing, while making a stand.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) seems certain the Games will be

a “neutral environment” for political statements. Moreau said the IOC has “a clear rule in place to ensure the Games remain free from proactive protests and demonstrations of any kind.”

So will wearing rainbow pins to the opening ceremonies result in disqualification? Moyer believes “if athletes come in solidarity and are doing the same thing, they are not going to be penalized. The IOC relies on athletes to come and compete.” Even if they do get disqualified, Moyer believes it will be worth it. “Historically, there have been athletes who have lost their medals because of a political demonstration, but they

“It’s about finding the most practical thing where everyone’s safe and everyone’s competing, while making a stand.” Dayne Moyer, petition creator a safe environment. Emmanuelle Moreau, member of the IOC Media Relations Team, told OutWords that “the IOC has received strong written reassurances from the Russian government that everyone will be welcome at the Games in Sochi, regardless of their sexual orientation. President Putin himself recently offered assurances that there will be no discrimination against gay people during the Games.” The olympics are also set to be

28 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

also did something more important than the Olympic Games.” The IOC judges such actions on a case-by-case basis, but Moreau refused to discuss potential scenarios.

As of press time, Moyer’s petition had over 37,000 signatures - just short of its goal of 40, 000. “Anyone who is experiencing homophobia or difficulty in their life can look at the number and go, I’m really not alone. There’s a huge power in that number,”

OutWords // Sports

Zamprelli and Moyer decided the next step is to pressure the COC and IOC by getting athletes to say they will make a stand and wear a rainbow pin to the opening ceremonies. Zamprelli said, “If enough athletes do this and you’re getting this critical mass of athletes willing to wear the pin, then the COC or IOC might be compelled to say something about it.” However, no athletes have responded to their efforts yet and it’s unclear whether individual teams or athletes are even allowed to step forward in support.

Moyer also has the backing of Pride Winnipeg. Jason Douglas, community liaison director of Pride Winnipeg, was looking to get involved and liked Moyer’s campaign.

“He’s not asking people to boycott, which I think is an unrealistic idea,” said Douglas.

“The Olympics are going to happen. They happened in the Holocaust, so it’s going to go on regardless.” Pride Winnipeg just created what they call the “Sochi Task Force,” after coming back from an international Pride conference in Montreal. “One of the biggest things that came out of there was how to make impact,” said Douglas. “We’ve drafted a letter, which we’re sending out to Pride organizations across Canada and we’re going to be asking them to support the #GoldMedalMessage, as well as contact their government within each province so we can take it to the next level.” Pride Winnipeg plans to help Moyer get a response from athletes too.

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics create an opportunity for people attending to take a stand against Russia’s anti-gay laws on a global stage. Moyer believes wearing rainbow pins in solidarity at the opening ceremonies presents a safe and realistic way to do this.

photo Graeme Coleman

said Moyer. And every time a goal has been reached, the bar has been raised.

The real victory would be getting the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) to come forward and say they support their athletes taking a stand. Despite getting notified of each signature through emails, the COC have not responded. And with the petition’s signature count slowing, Moyer fears the chance of hearing from them before the Games begin in February is fading. “If the people of the COC feel like the people who have signed have gone off and changed their mind or aren’t focusing on it anymore, they aren’t going to worry as much.”

Victory or not, Moyer’s petition is a success. Pascal Zamprelli, director of communications for Change.org in Canada, said “when Sochi hit since the law was passed, there’s been every conceivable petition: boycotts, move the Games, boycott the sponsors.” But Moyer’s stood out and was promoted by Zamprelli’s Change.org team.

“He definitely had a very compelling argument to make, he had what looks like the right act, getting the people not to abandon the Games in Russia but rather make a big splash,” said Zamprelli. “His petition had a huge role to play in other petitions popping up and Change.org staff generally thinking this would be the right kind of option.”

There are now 41 petitions proposing similar options, with over 520,000 signatures combined.

GLBTQ* activist and athlete Dayne Moyer wears a rainbow Pride pin.

As Moyer pushes for his petition to pick up again, he continues looking for athletes to endorse his message and corporate sponsors to help produce rainbow pins.

You can sign and share the #GoldMedalMessage at Change.org/ GoldMedalMessage and find related petitions by searching “Sochi 2014” on the website. Will human rights win at the Olympics?

- Graeme Coleman is OutWords’ entertainment editor

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 29

OutWords // Music

indie rocksonics to

spacey

from

By Jacob Thiessen

OUR SOUNDTRACK FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR

BROKEN BELLS

IMOGEN HEAP

After The Disco (Release date: January 14, 2014) Sparks (Release date: March 3, 2014)

A

lmost four years after their self-titled debut, the duo comprised of James Mercer (frontman for The Shins) and Danger Mouse (member of Gnarls Barkley and frequent collaborator with The Black Keys) has announced the release of their second full-length album.

If the sound and success of their first effort were all we had to go on, After The Disco promises to be a riveting and innovative work of indie rock and alternative pop. The band has also released a short film featuring some of the music from the new album. The short film and accompanying music draw parallels to Danger Mouse’s work on the pseudo-soundtrack album Rome and it seems to push the band’s sound into more spacey, cinematic, psychedelic territory. This will be an album to watch for.

F

ew musicians have had a career as prolific and unconventional as Imogen Heap. To those who don’t follow her closely, it may appear that she has spent the last several years releasing strange singles and music videos at periodic intervals, all unattached to any album or other release.

However, it has all been a part of her process in building the concept album Sparks.

Heap has recorded one song every three months. Each track has been recorded over a two-week period and released immediately after completion. Some songs on the album feature sound effects such as a dishwasher door or a burning match and soundscapes made from homemade “field recordings,” submitted by fans when Heap began recording in 2011.

Many songs from the album are already complete and available to the public.

However, there is still music left to be written and as a concept album, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating project.

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LES JUPES (Title & release date TBA)

W

ith their debut album Modern Myths and the more recent Negative Space EP, Winnipeg band Les Jupes have demonstrated a knack for writing intriguingly complex music with a deceptively simple presentation. On the surface, it’s straightforward indie rock, delivered with striking style and finesse. Dig a little deeper, and a wealth of subtlety and intricate layers of detail – both lyrically and musically – come to light.

The band’s new album is set for release sometime next year, but they haven’t yet decided on a title or release date. Frontman Michael P. Falk said their producer (Marcus Paquin) encouraged them to do some things differently for the new album. It will be heading in a new direction by putting more of a focus on electronic elements.

OutWords // Music

LES JUPES+A BRAVE NEW SOUND

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innipeg’s Les Jupes went into the studio with a sick producer/ engineer and came out with transformed songs that will make up the band’s new album, which has not be named yet.

“There are some really bold moments, and there are some really beautiful moments,” said frontman Michael P. Falk about the upcoming album. “It’s a bit of a left turn, but it’s still us.”

After the release of the Negative Space EP in September, Les Jupes went to Montreal to record with Marcus Paquin.

Upon arrival, they found Paquin in rough shape. “Marcus was really sick when we were recording,” said Falk. “His body was kind of shutting down.” Paquin had just finished a busy stretch of projects, including sessions

with The National. “He was lying down while we were tracking the songs, and just yelling, ‘YES!’ or ‘NO!’” Falk said that Paquin pushed them to think a little differently about their songs.

“We would say, ‘Maybe this song doesn’t want to be this way.’ Most of the songs got a serious overhaul once we were in the studio.

There are still elements of rock band songs, but a little more orchestrated. There are more electronic elements involved, more loops, more keyboards.” Falk mentions one song in particular, called “Something’s Happening,” which saw big changes in the studio. “We went into the studio with a simple synth style and it came out as this giant percussive mountain of melody and cacophony.”

Les Jupes’ earlier releases each include a song that tells a story. Falk said that’s one

thing that is not changing on the new album.

“There’s a couple of vignette pieces. This one has one about a spy, on a dock in the fog, figuring out if what’s going on is really going on.”

The new album will be out sometime next year, but Falk said the band is still working out some details regarding the release. As for an event though, one thing is for certain. “We’ll obviously do a big show,” said Falk.

Les Jupes will be opening for Imaginary Cities in Winnipeg, Dec. 27 at the Pyramid.

- Jacob Thiessen is an advertising student and musician from Winnipeg.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 31

HOW ONE FRIENDSHIP CAN SHAPE A WHOLE CHOIR

Photo Courtesy of Johanna Hildebrand

OutWords // Music

The Rainbow Harmony Project’s lead duo connects past to present through choir By Armande Martine

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OutWords // Music

Rainbow Harmony Project production manager Jenni Magnus. Photo by Johanna Hildebrand.

T

he young dynamic duo behind the Rainbow Harmony Project (RHP) choir is Johanna Hildebrand, the new artistic director/conductor, and her friend, Jenni Magnus, who acts as production manager.

Hildebrand, 32, has a positive and entertaining way of getting her point across during choir practices. She makes comments such as, “Am I making people mad?”, “That was nice but let’s do what’s on the page”, when bringing up music theory, “Can I tell you boring things?”, or as an introduction to an anecdote, “Tell me if this is funny.” She also has a rebellious side. At choir practice, she teachers members such things as the tritone, which is a restless interval termed ‘diabolus in musica’, (the devil in music) that the Catholic church avoided from at least the early 18th century, although it is used in songs sung by the RHP. Being the offspring of two known choral conductors in the Steinbach area, Hildebrand has music in her blood.

Both parents ran their own choirs, while Hildebrand played violin. Speaking about the Mennonite area, which is known as unfriendly to GLBTQ* people, Hildebrand said, “I actually loved growing up there... I felt accepted there and I think everywhere you go, there are going to be the naysayers and the ones who accept you.” She also

Johanna Hildebrand (L) and Jenni Magnus (R) during break time at RHP choir practice. Photo by Armande Martine. described Steinbach as having “a rich choral tradition” with lots of choir concerts, especially around the holidays. Holiday activities such as singing around the piano and attending choral concerts started right after Halloween for the Hildebrand family.

Many other members of Hildebrand’s extended family are musically inclined and some of her aunts are also choir directors.

Hildebrand, who is the oldest of the family brood, spent most of her holidays making music with her extended family. She brings that enthusiasm and openness to working in collaboration to the RHP. RHP members learn, often at the last minute, movements or gestures to accompany some of the songs they sing at concerts. As production manager, it’s Magnus’ job to develop the choreography and it’s evident that along with a unique little accent, she has a flair for music. Some of the choir’s favourite songs are derived from Magnus’ birthplace of Cape Town, South Africa.

Magnus said growing up gay in South Africa was overall a good experience. “I loved growing up in South Africa. I do believe that growing up in a country where apartheid had an impact on all of our lives helped me to understand that we are all the same and different in our own way.” It also meant that Christmas was during the

summer. One of Magnus’ fondest memories of family activities during the holidays is called ‘carols by candlelight’. Magnus, 34, remembers going to a gorgeous wine farm where a choir would sing and hand out sheets of music and candles to everyone, who would then perform by candlelight. “Everyone would come with their picnics and you bring a blanket and everyone would kind of picnic on this huge field.”

Magnus has spent some Christmases with her friend, Hildebrand, and Hildebrand’s family since moving to Winnipeg 14 years ago. Her holiday time is spent primarily singing with the kids in her classroom and attending choir concerts.

In terms of their friendship, Hildebrand said, “We’ve never discussed how our growing up experiences could have potentially impacted our friendship. We’ve bonded over our shared love of skiing, music and the fact that we’re both teachers.” The two teach in the Seven Oaks School Division, an affirming school division.

The RHP choir’s holiday concert is at 8 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the Knox United Church, 400 Edmonton St. - Armande Martine is a ‘newly out’ provincial civil servant and an enthusiastic RHP choir member.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 33

getty images

OutWords // Music

HAVE BIG FUN THIS JANUARY Big Fun Festival presents new sounds, bigger festival

By Danelle Cloutier French Press feeling out their new sound. Photo supplied by French Press.

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innipeg-based French Press is changing its sound just in time for this year’s Big Fun Festival on Jan. 22 to 26, an annual indie music and art showcase that promises to help us ease our way into the harsh winter months.

While Chantel Emond used to be the sole person behind French Press, she’s now sharing the name with bassist Donavan Ostopowich and drummer DJ Cline.

“I wanted to rock out a lot harder,” said Emond, 30, about the two additions to the band, which she hopes will help grow French Press into an indie pop-rock sound.

The trio is beefing up Emond’s songs with more complex soundscapes, meant to compliment her complex and personal lyrics. “I’m not the kind of person who writes about birds and trees and stuff.

I don’t really need to talk about that. I more so need to talk about trouble and overcoming problems,” said Emond.

A lot of her songs are about the limitations placed on her by herself and others, and the themes of repression and rebellion. “It brews within you, then you just want to say ‘screw you’ to that and rebel and take back your control... I experience that every day, all the time.” Emond, who performed as a jazz musician in Toronto, admits she really struggled with becoming a songwriter because she doubted herself.

People like Stefan Braun, co-founder and artistic director of Big Fun Festival, didn’t doubt Emond. Of the 200 musical

acts that applied to play in the festival, Braun thought French Press was one of the few who deserved a slot at the festival. It’s the band’s new sound that attracted Braun, who saw Emond play two years ago. “Her songs were really great but there wasn’t necessarily great backing… now she’s got a backing band and the stuff that she plays is great, like honest straight-up songwriting and it’s quite heartwarming,” he said.

The band’s move to a rockier sound fits with the festival’s move towards showcasing heavier bands like Dead Ranch, Potatoes and Metz, the band that Braun is most excited to see. The festival this year is also a day longer and the organizers are flying in a few out-oftown acts. “This year we’re kind of going all out,” said Braun about the all-genre music and art festival that takes place in galleries, lofts and warehouses across Winnipeg.

Like always, the festival encourages venue hopping in the dead of winter to add to the experience. “It’s nice to see shows in places that you’ve never been before, so not only are you experiencing a good show, you’re also experiencing a new environment,” said Braun. “Make winter exciting, make it a discovery.”

The festival’s name and timing were intentional. Braun’s friend came up with the name ‘Big Fun,’ inspired by the ’80s cult classic Heathers, in which Winona Ryder and Christian Slater conspire to kill everybody that they hate but frame the deaths as suicides. In the movie, the forerunners of a

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campaign to stop kids from committing suicide are a band called Big Fun, which has a single called “Teenage suicide (don’t do it).” “It’s this really tongue-in-cheek, kitschy, to be like, ‘hey, you know, everything’s great,’ which I kind of feel is a festival in the winter it’s kind of one of those, ‘hey, it’s frigid. You never want to leave your house but guess what, everything’s great so get out, put on a parka and go see some good bands.’”

For more information on the festival and to buy tickets, visit bigfunfestival.com.

French Press is currently working on a live video and hopes to hit the studio in the new year, if they can secure funding to make their album Youthful Trouble. To find out more about the band, like them on Facebook.

- Danelle Cloutier is OutWords’ music editor.

OutWords // Local

From the

Community

From left to right, Chocolate Zen Bakery’s Doug Krahn and Barb Rudiak took care of the desserts during the beautiful reception, while Mike Mulhall of Pride Winnipeg was part of the event’s organizing committee.

Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce reception

By Ksenia Prints

Photos by: John Johnston.

T

here is a growing understanding that the pink dollar carries a lot of weight, but some local businesses have been slow to draw in the GLBTQ* community. Concerned that Winnipeg may be losing out on an important segment of the market, the newly-rebranded Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce decided to kick its efforts into the next gear.

On Oct. 24, the Chamber put together a glitzy reception to recognize five individuals and businesses that have made a

significant impact in the GLBTQ* business community. Representatives of Winnipeg’s top GLBTQ* businesses took part in the celebration, and the spirits were high.

To find out more about the Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce, check out http://mb-lgbt.biz, or come to any of the Chamber’s upcoming events. An After Work Mixers night is planned for Dec. 21 at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel, with another one to follow on Jan. 17. Come to meet, greet and network.

From left to right, Patrick O’Reilly is the Chamber’s membership director, Ken Boyce is with the City of Winnipeg, and Paul Hesse is the Chamber’s president.

Jesse Kindzierski (l) is with Jenn Coish (r) from Kenaston Wine Market, the evening’s wine sponsor.

Winnipeg’s queens of clean! your house. your garage. even your car. we love dust busting. no, really. we do.

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204-480-9779

info@polishedclean.com December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 35

OutWords // Entertainment

Beyond

Beethoven New Music Festival to feature current composers and rock gods By Jessica Botelho-Urbanski

L

ush orchestral arrangements and synth-electronica sounds meld to form a musical manifesto in this year’s New Music Festival (NMF). For this highly anticipated event, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) brings together world-renowned musical guests and the orchestra, led by director Alexander Mickelthwate, is raring to play some contemporary repertoire.

German-expat Mickelthwate has one piece in particular he’s been eager to explore. “I always wanted to do, since like ten years [of age], this one [Frank] Zappa piece, G-Spot Tornado, which is just really awesome. So we’re finally opening the festival with that,” said Mickelthwate.

While the WSO plays classical fare for most of the year, the festival held each January is what drew Mickelthwate to Winnipeg seven years ago. “There’s something that is quite open for experimentation and that’s artistic here in Winnipeg. And also because you are isolated

The New Music Festival is what drew WSO director Alexander Mickelthwate to Winnipeg. Photo by Nardella Photography Inc.

and it is deep winter, so what do you do? Go to the New Music Festival!”

The term ‘new music’ can encompass almost anything, the sole stipulation being that the music’s been written this century.

Festival co-curator, Matthew Patton, explained the genre succinctly. “It’s music that’s open to audiences—that wants to draw them in,” said Patton. “I could pretty much say with confidence that if you had no idea what you were going to this evening, you’d find it really beautiful.”

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Mahogany Frog is playing at New Music Festival, which runs Jan. 25 to Jan. 31. Photo supplied.

The WSO will be playing the music of contemporary greats like Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead), Icelandic composer Valgeir Sigurðsson (who’s worked with Björk and Feist), and Polaris-Prize winner Owen Pallett.

A ‘Forgotten Winnipeg’ themed night on Jan. 28 will showcase the works of former Winnipeggers like Academy-award winning composer Mychael Danna (Life of Pi and (500) Days of Summer) and breakneck-electro artist Venetian Snares. “There seems to be a lot of people born in Winnipeg that are really talented, then they go somewhere else and actually have a big career and nobody knows about it here,” explained Mickelthwate.

Venetian Snares will also be performing Jan. 25 at Union Sound Hall for a NMF sponsored event, Pop Nuit, with local psychedelics Mahogany Frog. Drummer Andy Rudolph is very excited to play the festival for the first time. “The scope of the music they’re playing is incredibly different; they’re programming things that are a bit more challenging than what the WSO normally plays,” said Rudolph. “I think that progressive music and music that’s more challenging is getting its time in the sun right now.”

The New Music Festival runs from Jan. 25 to Jan. 31. For scheduling and ticket information, call 204.949.3999 or visit wso.ca.

- Jessica Botelho-Urbanski is a Creative Communications student who blogs at winnipegtransittalks.com.

OutWords // Books & Movies

DESTINED TO STAY

By Zanna Joyce

A review of the autobiography An Unspoken Compromise: A Spiritual Guide for LGBT People of Faith

D

r.Rizi Xavier Timane had a secret. By eight years of age, it was clear that the person who had been born a Nigerian girl was very much a boy.

He did not know what to make of his dad’s deep, rolling laughter in response to his proud proclamation, “Daddy, I’m a boy!” Finally, his dad said, “All little boys and girls go through this phase where they are a bit confused... It’s absolutely normal...

It will pass.”

But of course, it did not, while the early nonchalance Timane encountered gave way to derision and outright abuse as

his family tried to pray away the evil they felt lurked within him.

Timane moved to the United States, but the taunting followed in letters and visits. Finally, when it seemed things could become no worse, a school administrator helped him move out of the reach of his family. The healing could finally begin.

Throughout this, Timane relied on his faith to get through the rough times.

He founded his own Jesus-inspired ministry to fill what he saw to be a gap in organized religion. This provides a platform from which he calls on members of faith communities, including those in Africa, to focus on real issues while they dismantle

the barriers to inclusion in their churches. The second part of the book documents attacks on gay and transgender people as evidence of this need for re-focus.

Through his website, Dr. Rizi Xavier Timane offers pastoral care to those who do not have a welcoming faith community to turn to. It is found at www. rizitemaneministries.org.

An Unspoken Compromise: A Spiritual Guide for LGBT People of Faith is available through Timane’s website, Amazon.ca and select bookstores.

- Zanna Joyce is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 37

OutWords // Books & Movies

C.R.A.Z.Y. / 2005

Boy Culture / 2006

Filming in

By Eric Plamondon

F

or many years, the cultural and artistic elements that define our community have struggled with the debate on how to capture, portray and inspire queer realities. As queer identity is based on sexuality, so the confirmation of queer identity is often confirmed by expressing sexuality. But that alone does not capture what it means to be queer – so what form should queer cinema take?

Both internally and externally, we often lament that queer literature is nothing more than erotica, queer events are nothing but twink raves, or queer cinema is nothing but softcore porn. What might be new is that mainstream cultural agents are appropriating and portraying our stories. Might this be allowing our cultural representation to be less about sex and more about interpersonal relationships?

And does it matter if queer cinema is defined by either semiporn films like Eating out and Boy Culture, or social justice films like Philadelphia and Milk? It should. Canadian filmmaker Heather Tobin said, “Personally it was through characters like Kali on Grey’s Anatomy that made my own mother start to have a better understanding of the LGBTQ community.” The majority of society will access more mainstream media than strictly queer media.

It’s true of us as well; we all remember seeing a movie that had a moment that made you go, “Oh, ok, I might be gay.” These moments

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are happening through mainstream culture. It can be Y Tu Mamá También, Black Swan, My Private Idah, or any number of movies that stir something inside of us.

But if you asked what films define queer cinema, these are not the movies that would come up; most people would describe one of the first two above-listed categories. Yet this is a false dichotomy.

According to CBC personality Clare Lawlor, “Queer cinema is defined by the stories about gay people. I think it’s that simple.”

This definition would allow us to claim powerhouse movies like Boys Don’t Cry, The Beginners Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Birdcage.

We don’t need to narrow the genre to anything.

There are companies that specialize in queer cinema including Wolfe, TLA Releasing, One More Lesbian and Busk films. We should be celebrating their presence, as they ensure gay cinema exists independent of the fluxes of interest from mainstream audiences.

They are also delivering some of the most poignant and beautiful movie moments involving queer characters: living room dancing in Children of God and the musical number in Were the World Mine.

And now these moments are free to be downloaded on smartphones, anywhere and everywhere. These are important cultural producers as they are producing queer cinema where queer characters are front and centre, instead of occupying minor roles.

Black Swan / 2010

If Jack Nicholson can be challenged to the point of having a gay friend in As Good as It Gets, there is hope that society as a whole can evolve.

“The film industry still doesn’t have equal representation of strong female leading ladies, so I think that it will be a while before more film revolve around lead queer characters,” points out Tobin. “And while I think that eventually we won’t have to distinguish between a queer film and drama or comedy, etc., this will be around the same time that we don’t call it gay marriage, it will be called marriage.”

While we dream of full societal acceptance, we have realistically been more successful in making great strides towards societal tolerance.

Yet the presence of queer characters in current cinema is a sign that the debate is shifting. It’s not just Tobin’s mom that has a better understanding of her daughter because of Grey’s Anatomy. If Jack Nicholson can be challenged to the point of having a gay friend in As Good as It Gets, there is hope that society as a whole can evolve.

Cinematic agents of all stripes are part of this conversation, because queer characters are appearing in stories of all kinds, to strengthen the plot and explored themes. There are many examples taken from Canadian cinema. At the forefront of these films is C.R.A.Z.Y., a film that allowed an insight into how homosexuality is at the border of mainstream French Canadian culture. We could also

Cloudburst / 2011

add contemporary movie sweetheart Xavier Dolan’s trio of films: J’ai tué ma mère, Les amoureux and Laurence Anyways Before him, CBC favourite Sook-Yin Lee made a splash with hortbus.

The latter once again poses the question, is queer cinema’s greatest value inherently tied to sex and how we portray it? “No, in the same way that a gay person who isn’t currently having sex doesn’t give up their gay identity,” said Lawlor. “I was gay before I ever kissed a girl and if I never kiss a girl again I’ll still be gay.”

This explains the success of movies like Cloudburst, which has one of Canada’s best actresses, Olympia Dukakis, exploiting the love of two people to deliver a charming, albeit sad story. I think that’s the true value of gay characters in contemporary cinema.

Our stories are human stories, but our realities mean that human emotions are lived in higher contrast.

Yes, queer cinema exists. With the many sources of it, it might be hard to pick up trends, but we should be paying attention. We should encourage diversity. It can’t all be heavy social justice and it can’t be all softcore porn (although both have their place). As cinema explores the nooks and crannies of what it means to be human and what it means to exist, our stories – queer stories – are not only potential useful tools for storytelling, but they are also social realities that should be reflected, captured and portrayed, in all of art’s capacity to do so.

- Eric Plamondon is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 39

OutWords // Columns & Opinions

ALL’S

FAIR

EVERY CITY HAS ITS GAY COMPILED BY ERIC PLAMONDON

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IN FAIRS

e always wonder if life is better elsewhere, or how Winnipeg compares to other cities. In this recurring column, we will compare and contrast what life is like for three 25 to 35-year-old gay men in different cities around the world. This month, we travel from London to Guadalajara, by way of Winnipeg, only to be reminded that every city has its gays, trying to live a socially active and interesting life. So live here, live anywhere, the moments we seek are out there.

London’s Frieze Art Fair

By Ian Robertson

LONDON – The contemporary art world is typically quite a comfortable place for gay men. I’d like to think that it’s the sense of experimentation - or maybe it’s that we’re just more comfortable outside of conservative corporate environments. In any case, there may not be science behind it, but it’s true.

Imagine London’s Frieze Art Fair, one of the biggest and most important in the world. The industry descends on Regent’s Park, where gallerists, collectors, artists and journalists collide in a series of huge, interconnected white tents. Booths practically sit perched atop one another, populated by steely art-world acolytes mingling, sipping drinks, kind-of-looking at what is on the walls but mostly looking at each other. Being in Britain, it nearly always rains during the fair,

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but that never prevents a healthy dose of couture on opening night (or couturiers; Valentino Garavani, in all of his orangey splendour, attended this year).

And this year’s edition of Frieze had no shortage of gay art and artists: a glittery rainbow flag? Turn to Jonathan Horowitz at the Sadie Coles gallery. Or just head around the corner and glimpse the oversized nude male flank, care of Wolfgang Tillmans. But this is London; gay content is hardly elusive.

Frankly, Frieze is probably not even the best way to explore new artists or galleries (the crowds!). For me, it’s a playground for peoplewatching: you’re just as likely to spot a young man in lederhosen as you are an 80-year-old woman in crayon-coloured felt.

OutWords // Columns & Opinions

Las Fiestas de Octubre

By Patrick Courcelles

JALISCO, Mexico – Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco. The home of tequila, mariachi and charreada, the heart of all that is quintessentially Mexican. And every October since 1965, the host of Las Fiestas de Octubre.

It’s an attraction for all walks of life, filled with rides, carnival games, junk food and concerts - but with a truly Mexican twist.

Don’t expect hot dogs and beer; instead, indulge in tacos and tequila. Kids aren’t walking around with cotton candy; rather, they can be spotted eating chili-covered sweets.

Like festivals around the world, Las Fiestas de Octubre makes room for music with the Palenque – a small, circular stadium where they hold concerts ranging from pop to ranchero (a Mexican version of country). The concerts begin around midnight, after they clean up the stage from the nightly cockfights. Yes, you read that correctly, this centuries-old Asian tradition, illegal in many countries, was brought to Mexico from the Philippines by the Spanish and is still practiced throughout the country, especially during festivals such as this one.

The Fiestas can be experienced in your own way, which is why this year I attended the fair in style, surrounding myself with a group of 30 of my closest friends and my boyfriend, Inãki. We rented a party bus with our own personal DJ to tour the city and drop us off at the fairgrounds. The brave ones took in a few rides before arriving at the Palenque just before the concert started (purposefully missing the cockfight. Don’t let the word cock cloud your judgment into witnessing this). Hundreds of gay men (and many non-gays as well) came out to see Gloria Trevi, a 45-year-old Mexican pop diva whose life story is more unbelievable than most telenovelas. Fiestas de Octubre has old roots, but makes room for all those looking to celebrate publicly.

11-600 Clifton Street Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3G 2X6 Phone:204.985.9200 Toll Free: 1.800.254.5552 OUTNABOUTTRAVEL.COM

Wishing you a season filled with beautiful moments and cherished memories

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 41

OutWords // Columns & Opinions

First Fridays in the Exchange District

By Eric Plamondon

WINNIPEG – On the first Friday of every month, I plan on being in the Exchange District; an easy task, as I often find myself in this historic neighbourhood. First Fridays is an established invitation from the art galleries of the Exchange to the rest of Winnipeg to come and experience all they have to offer. With many galleries, you can literally indulge in art.

On a particular Friday I grabbed some shawarma from former Winnipeg Blue Bomber and local celebrity Obby Khan at Shawarma Khan. Sitting by the window, I gazed across the street into an art gallery where a young artist painted. I then walked to the Exchange’s Frame Arts Warehouse for the Winnipeg Makers Market. Instantly, the space claims all those who find the reputed framed door. Crossing the doorway means you are welcomed by a beautiful man who also

asks for a small donation, and giving a toonie earns you a flirtatious smile. An inspiring woman played the harp, putting your shopping nerves at ease. You are then free to wander amongst the handmade soaps, crafted jewels, suitcases-turned-speakers, moccasins and the requisite candles. For some reason, it seemed natural to sit down and have your fortune read and sample some jalapeno-coconut jam. This was all contained in a warehouse that has architectural beauty which found its value in its abandonment.

Culture, food and inspiring people doing creative things in Winnipeg still motivate us to discover and re-discover our neighbourhoods. And jalapeno-coconut jam and shawarmas might not be our parents’ traditional warm-your-boots comfort foods, but on any brisk day, I’m happy it can be ours.

Every other issue, Eric Plamondon will be gathering stories from two new people outside of Winnipeg.

Did you enjoy these pieces? Let us know!

42 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

OutWords // Letter to the Editor

July / August 2013 // www.outwords.ca // 43

OutWords // Columns & Opinions

STUFFING THE TECH COLUMN

COREY SHEFMAN

STOCKINGS WITH

ELECTRONICS How to avoid giving your techie a lump of coal

W

e’ve grown used to replacing our tech every few years, or even sooner. Many of us get new cellphones every year, new computers every other year and now new tablets in the same cycle. But it wasn’t always that way. Three years ago, (yes, just three years), tablets were the stuff of science fiction. It was only five and six years ago that the world was introduced to the

FITNESS TRACKERS You may have heard their names Jawbone Up, Nike Fuelband, others. While they are an interesting distraction for a fitness enthusiast, or perhaps some very basic motivation for the gamers among us (in that they “gamify” exercise), these are mostly toys. A better gift would be workout-ready earbuds or a new iPod case.

iPhone and Android. Today, we get new cellphone hardware and software every day, new tablets and completely new generations of laptops every year, and the list keeps growing.

In a constantly developing and evolving market, when is it worth gifting technology, or when should you wait? I’m here to help you with that question.

CELLPHONES – Fitbit, and

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In past years (and past columns) I have gladly made cellphone gift recommendations, but not this year. The technology inside and outside our cellphones is evolving faster than ever and the industry is in a serious flux. Motorola is just finding its footing after being purchased by Google, HTC is shaping up as a real competitor to Samsung, and Apple is still trying to redefine itself after the loss of Steve Jobs.

The iPhone 5S and 5C are underwhelming, the Galaxy S4 and HTC One are nearly outdated, and the Nexus 5 is a top-quality utility phone, but doesn’t have the wow factor of the other flagships. In other words, wait.

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Tablets In tablets, your choices are richer than ever and more importantly, more equal than ever. While the iPad used to be the undisputed king of tablets (and don’t get me wrong, it’s still the best), the recent controversy over the definition of ‘gay’ in apple’s 2011 MacBook Pro’s built-in dictionary may have tainted the company for the GLBTQ* community. So if you don’t want to spend the $519-$949 price tag that comes with Apple’s pride and joy, you now have options that won’t make the recipient feel like they got cheated.

Options like Apple’s iPad Mini, which prices out at a decent $419-$549 for the latest generation at 16 GB (you really don’t need more than 16 GB on a tablet – that’s what iCloud is for). Or, if you don’t mind losing the big shiny Apple logo, the Nexus 7 ($229-$349) and Nexus 10 ($399-$499) can compete with either iPad spec-wise, and the average home user wouldn’t notice a difference.

If you’re thinking about a tablet, make sure to check out the Android selection before settling on your iPad. You might be surprised at what’s on offer.

Speakers & headphones For the audiophile, gamer, or really, anyone who has an iPod or smartphone, this season is an excellent time to upgrade your listening paraphernalia. Bose has just updated a number of its consumer products (which it does only rarely), including its popular and well-reviewed SoundDock.

And while Bose and other high-end brands have a lot on offer, Samsung, Sony and even Logitech and Philips are offering great speaker docks at affordable prices.

Check out the new Bose SoundDock Series 3, Philips Fidelio, and Logitech S715i. And, for those of you with bottomless wallets, the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air. - Corey Shefman is a geek, and proud of it.

December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 45

OutWords // Columns & Opinions

SPIRITUALITY

RAY BUTEAU

CHRISTMAS CHEER

‘T

is the season to be jolly… and for many it will be. Many of us have fond memories of a family celebration that may or may not have included a religious service. From my personal experience as a Roman Catholic priest, it was a time when we were guaranteed a full church and more in the collection baskets.

Today, especially with social media, we are well aware of how many on this planet will spend the season in a manner different from us.

We are reminded daily of the “haves” and “have nots” in the world and in our own cities.

But I love the lights, the festive atmosphere, the Santas and expectant children, the goodies handed out wherever you go. Messages are everywhere in the media reminding us to try to be kinder, more generous, thoughtful and forgiving. The season is worth these reminders alone. But we are also reminded of a young man who a few thousand years ago chose a prophetic role in reminding those of all religious and nonreligious groups around him to love. Who? Start with God (however you call Him), then your neighbour, and yourself. As RuPaul says, “If you can’t love yourself, who can you love? Can I have an Amen to that.”

Though I no longer practice my religious faith, to which I’ll always be grateful for giving me the basic life skills of caring, respect, gratitude, and self-acceptance. I join the millions who cherish the season for its gift of faith in the God of their understanding and in humanity, despite our ability to be just as cruel to each other as we can be kind and loving.

I wonder how my mentorship group will spend the season. You will soon be introduced to Jan, the mutual friend of Danny and Tom. I hope they can be sensitive to each other, especially at this time of year.

What the holidays mean to Danny, Tom and those of us who seek guidance

46 // December 2013 / January 2014 // www.outwords.ca

Illustration by Dylan Bekkering

Danny doesn’t have family here. He has lots of friends and hopefully someone will make sure he’s not left alone and gets to share a meal with others. He’s definitely going to expect a gift from me, and I won’t let him down. Tom has had a difficult family experience. He will be home for Christmas and will be expected to attend a church service and I know how guilt-filled he will be about that. I’ve tried reminding him often that God lives outside the building and that those gathered together are there only to give Him thanks and sing together songs of festive gratitude. I hope he remembers that as he chokes on the suffocating smell of incense, watches the collection basket passing in front of him and listens to some people offering Christmas cheer, while watching others who are mostly anxious to get the hell out and are totally ignoring everyone around them. These are Christmas traditions, but they don’t symbolize much more than that for many of us.

I haven’t met Jan yet. I hear she calms Danny down and Tom told me he has a crush on her. He’s about to appreciate the unique gift of being bisexual, and I hope

Jan is as sensitive and honest as Danny says she is. I hear Jan is an Atheistic Humanitarian; this should be interesting.

I’m told she’s an active member of the Universalist Church. Like I said, this is going to be interesting.

As for me, Christmas is a day of prayerful meditation, watching the sentimental oldies on TV with a glass of spirits and plowing through all the goodies my sister sent me, just like Mom use to make them.

And you, our dear readers, how will you spend the day? Don’t let the sentimentality be a burden for you. Accept an invitation to share the day and share with each other some good memories that the season brings to you, even if it’s only to be more thoughtful of sharing and caring and getting a few goodies. After all… ‘Tis the season to be jolly and to be ever so grateful.

Season’s greetings, everyone, and the best throughout 2014.

- Ray Buteau is a former Catholic priest and author of the book No Longer Lonely. You can visits Ray’s website at www.raybuteausweb.com

OutWords // Letter to the Editor

e n i m MY KNOWLEDGE will do many things IT MIGHT build a home OR MAYBE start a business MY KNOWLEDGE, EARNED AT UCN. UCN is diverse. Our students come from all over Manitoba and neighbouring provinces. You will share classes with people right out of high school, as well as mature students. UCN is inclusive and is for everyone. Picture yourself here.

To find out more, visit www.ucn.ca and call 866-677-6450 (Thompson) or 204-627-8500 (The Pas)

OWN YOUR FUTURE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE NORTH July / August 2013 // www.outwords.ca // 47

OutWords // Columns/Opinions

48 // July / August 2013 // www.outwords.ca