outwords queer views, news, issues
Canada’s
dirty little HIv
drug secret The tyranny of teen life
Welcoming
GLBT Jews Fashion as protest and
identity
Delerium
delivers divinely
Can ambience trump taste? Great books that make great gifts
Outwords | December 2010 | Issue 180 | Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994
norman Krasna, norman Panama and melvin franK WriTTen for The screen by
music and lyrics by
booK by
irving berlin
david ives Paul blaKe and
direcTed by
Robb PateRson
direcTed by
NovembeR 25 - DecembeR 18 PRevIeWs nov. 22, 23 & 24
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5
The best way to
help teens editorial
12
The shameful way we dispense
HIV drugs
28 Holiday
30
Curl up with a
cocktail guide
19
good book
22 14 An android
New home for
Winnipeg’s queer Jews
6 Don’t ask,
don’t tell, don’t change internat’l news
7
Telus rings true national news
11 Livin’ the
16 Delerium’s
technology
acoustic give true joy? compilation
19 Flying Blind
a welcome surprise
34
Your GLBT community
resources
a guide for transition
24 irony +
suburban life spotlight
Can a fake tree
for your thoughts
Arafat’s scarf fashion
a feast
for the eyes and the belly
27
off menu www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
3
editorial
outwords
Yes, it really does get better
Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994 Issue 190 December 2010
Published by the outwords volunteer staff:
With a little help from your friends
Rachel Morgan editor
M. Buchanan creative & layout
editorial
Every queer kid faces
are eight times more likely to attempt suicide
rachel j. morgan
the dreaded decision
than those whose families accept them.
about when to come
Dan Savage, a gay sex columnist,
Jonathan Kindzierski, Gord McDiarmid advertising
out – or whether to come out at all. We all
launched the It Gets Better Project online in
Terry Wiebe, Gord McDiarmid
know the anguish this creates – the sleepless
September after a series of high-profile teen
distribution
nights, the endless rehearsing of our lines, the
suicides. The website reaches out to queer
Vic Hooper
imagined horrible consequences, and finally
kids who are isolated by the attitudes of their
web manager
the fateful moment.
parents, school officials or their churches. It
Peter Carlyle-Gordge, Charles Melvin Rachel Morgan, Barbara Abramchuk Corey Shefman, Kenton Smith, R.M. Goodman,DJ Ryan G, Bowen Smyth, Michele Buchanan, Roselle Turenne - contributors to this issue AMdezigns COVER PHOTO
Maureen Pendergast (chair) Darron Field (comptroller) Karol Rogers (secretary) Gord McDiarmid Dani Fraser Faith Kaplan Gail Eckert board of directors
outwords
Sometimes, we are outed accidentally.
features a video archive made by LGBT adults
Often, everyone figures it out without a word
who experienced bullying as teenagers. They
from us. Occasionally, we get to choose
describe how their lives got better once they
the perfect moment. If we’re lucky, we find
left their teen years behind. The videos offer
acceptance and allies where we had feared
hope and encouragement – no matter how
rejection. The unlucky ones experience the
bad life seems today, it gets better.
awful pain of rejection by family or friends.
The project is American, but its mes-
Dan Savage…launched the It Gets Better Project online in September after a series of high-profile teen suicides Most of us stumble through it one way
sage is universal. It’s just as pertinent for Canadian kids. We may have greater legal rights and protections
than Americans but we shouldn’t think for a
or another. We survive those treacherous
minute that these protect kids from emotional
201-63 Albert Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1G4 Phone: (204) 942-4599 For office hours, please call.
teen years and slip with relief into our adult
and physical abuse.
let go of the bad ones, land jobs, get mort-
thing many of us would rather forget – our
General Inquiries: info@outwords.ca Editor: editor@outwords.ca Creative: creative@outwords.ca Advertising: advertise@outwords.ca Distribution: distribution@outwords.ca Accounts: billing@outwords.ca Event Submissions: calendar@outwords.ca Letters Submissions: letters@outwords.ca Website: www.outwords.ca
gages and find loving partners. Life is good.
own difficult teen years. And yet in remem-
Outwords is a non-profit organization that publishes Outwords a free magazine that provides news, analysis and entertainment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer community and its allies. GST 89671 7618RT ISSN 1715-5606 (print)ISSN 1715-5614 (online) Canada Post Publication Licence 416 99032 Contents copyright © 2010 Outwords All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Outwords is a member of the Manitoba Magazine Publishers’ Association. Articles published in Outwords reflect the views and opinions of the authors and are not necessarily the views held by the staff, management, or board of outwords. We accept no liability for our advertisers’ claims.
lives. We strengthen the good relationships,
But sometimes life isn’t good. For some
Dan Savage has reminded us of some-
bering them, we have an opportunity to make
teenagers life is too difficult to bear. They
life better for the next generation of teens,
are teased, bullied or physically attacked
simply by making sure we never miss a chance
for being queer. Some have no role models
to be positive role models and speak up when
to guide them and no adults to turn to for
we hear or see an ugly homophobic event.
help. Unable to see a future for themselves as
When we are silent, we implicitly condone
openly gay adults, they choose suicide to end
and normalize homophobia. When homo-
the pain.
phobia is normalized, queer kids see no fu-
How painful is life for queer teens? According to the It Gets Better Project, nine out
ture. We can help show them there is a future. If you would like to get involved in the It
of 10 LGBT students have experienced harass-
Gets Better Project, visit www.itgetsbetter-
ment at school; LGBT teens are bullied two to
project.com.
three times more than straight teens; more than one-third of LGBT kids have attempted suicide; LGBT kids are four times more likely
– To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca.
to attempt suicide then their straight peers; LGBT youth with “highly rejecting” families www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
5
international news
Tell, don’t tell, tell
February 2010. The Old Bailey was told
ships. The amendment was made to the
the assault by Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin
Relationships Act and passed the upper
U.S. courts keep queers guessing
Nasser al Saud had a “sexual element”
house without opposition.
and he had attacked Abdulaziz previously. Evidence showed Al Saud, 34, visited gay
SAN
clubs and masseurs. He denied being gay
FRANCISCO—An
and denied murder but was given a mini-
appeals court has
mum prison term of 20 years. Initially he
ruled the U.S. mili-
wrongly believed his royal status gave him
tary can tempo-
diplomatic immunity but he was wrong.
rarily reinstate a
If the prince ever returns to Saudi Arabia
ban on openly gay people
he faces the possibility of execution. Being gay is a capital offence in that country.
serving, in a move adding to confusion on the issue. The decision came eight days after a federal judge struck down the
Asylum from hard labour Canada considers request half of the Malawian gay couple sentenced
tell” policy on gays
released in May, is seeking asylum in Canada. Chimbalanga’s asylum claim has
new ruling says the ban can continue
been confirmed by an activist at Malawi’s
temporarily. The legal moves come as the
Centre for the Development of People.
Pentagon studies how gay people can be
He married Steven Monjeza last year but
properly integrated into the U.S. mili-
the couple was arrested under Malawi’s
tary. It would entail dramatic changes in
sodomy and indecency laws. They were
policies on insurance, housing and even
pardoned by the country’s president in
protocol at military social events.
May following international pressure. Following their release, the couple split.
Tasmania the first
Court hears of “sexual element”
Foreign gay marriages recognized
hotel in central London. Bandar Abdulaziz, 32, was found beaten and strangled in the Landmark Hotel, Marylebone, on 15
6 7
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill to remove a ‘gay cure’ provision from the state’s laws. The 1950 law instructed California’s State Department of Mental causes and cures of homosexuality. In August, the state senate approved a repeal bill and Schwarzenegger has now signed it. The only opposition came from ‘gay cure’ group Parents and Friends of ExGays and Gays (PFOX).
Worst places on earth Most homophobic nations LONDON—The Independent newspaper has named Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jamaica, Afghanistan and Nigeria as the least gay tolerant places in the world. Homosexuality is illegal in all of them and usually carries severe punishment, including whippings, long jail terms or death.
Saudi prince convicted of murder
jailed for life for murdering his servant at a
LOS ANGELES—California governor
MALAWI—Tiwonge Chimbalanga, one to 14 years’ hard labour before being
LONDON—A gay Saudi prince has been
Arnie signs the bill
Health to investigate and research “the
“don’t ask, don’t serving openly. The
No more gay cure
TASMANIA— Tasmania has become the first Australian state to recognize gay marriages performed abroad. They will be recognized as Tasmanian deeds of relationship, which are similar to civil partner
The paper says the worst place in all the Americas to be gay is Jamaica, where homosexuality is illegal with punishment up to 10 years hard labour. – Peter Carlye-Gordge is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer, former producer for CBC and former Maclean’s writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca
NATIONAL NEWS
Thin Rude Line
Phoning It In
Insult to injury
Telus you love us
Incidents of gay bashings in B.C. have
VANCOUVER—Let’s ease into the usual
risen dramatically since 2008. In October,
blight of bigots-n-bashings by starting
Thomas Pope and a friend were alleg-
off with some happy news. You might
edly targeted with homophobic slurs
mistake it for corporate coddling, but
before being repeatedly punched in the
Telus does deserve credit for teasing out
face outside a McDonald’s in downtown
the pink dollar the right way. To date,
Vancouver. The good news is police
Telus has donated more than $1 million
showed up within minutes of Pope’s 911
nationally to LGBTQ organizations. It has
call. The bad news: Pope alleges that the
offered same-sex partnership benefits to
officers made a point of letting the victims
its employees since 1994 and, two years
know that they were off the clock and not
Leaders of Tomorrow Save us now SURREY, B.C.—Let’s move inland for a wee bit of sunshine from a generation of kids who are going to pull us all into a better future. On Oct. 22, the second Dare To Stand Out conference took place
student councils, diversity clubs, amnesty
friend who was with them, and toward
international clubs, and gay-straight alli-
Pope’s sister after she arrived in response
ances the chance to come together and
to his phone call.
find ways to fight oppression in schools.
Here’s the money quote. Pope alleges that one female officer said, “If I didn’t
ago, it introduced Spectrum, a resource
give a shit, I wouldn’t be fucking stand-
for LGBT staffers seeking personal support
ing here.” Wow! You can almost hear the
and professional development within the
doughtnut falling out of her mouth. The
organization. Now Telus introduces Caya (Come As
were released later that night and no
You Are), a chain of frou-frou boutiques
charges were laid. This prompted Pope’s
for LGBT shoppers who, apparently, de-
father to contact Spencer Chandra Her-
mand that their mobile devices and acces-
bert, the out Vancouver-West End MLA,
sories be more expensive and prettier than
who reportedly lit a fire under some royal
yours. Caya’s flagship shop in Vancouver’s
blue butt. The case was reopened and the
Davie village—the “gaybourhood”—was
police got in contact with Pope and even
built with input from LGBTQ community groups, including Vancouver Pride and
him to file
Out on Screen, the city’s queer film festi-
a formal
val. The Caya shop can be opened up to
com-
create a space for community fundraisers
plaint.
gives back to the community.
of its kind in Surrey. It offered members of
dismissive toward the victims, the female
encouraged
consumers can now shop at an outlet that
at Tamanawis Secondary School, the first
getting paid for their time, and they were
icing on the cruller is that the assailants
gram available to high schools. So LGBT
and events. There’s even a gay wedding booked for next spring. Caya has already donated $10,000, plus $25 from every smart phone sold
It featured Berend McKenzie performing “Tassles,” a vignette from his biographical
Dare to Stand Out -BC A YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH AND ALLIES
MAKE YOUR SCHOOL A SAFE PLACE
Join youth and teachers from around the province who want to connect, share, dream and plan a world without homophobia and gender stereotypes. The conference invites students and teachers from around British Columbia, who want to make a difference and who are demonstrating leadership in their school. We welcome Gay Straight Alliances, Students’ Councils, and student clubs who are ready to stand out and make their school more inclusive. Speakers and presentations will educate, entertain and inspire. The day will feature live theatre, readings, comedy, as well as prominent local and national LGBTQ personalities sharing their work. Participants will be given tools and resources: to promote diversity, address homophobia/transphobia/discrimination, and create a safer school community. Cost: $10 per participant free for VSB students/teachers (subsidies are available for those in financial need)
MARCH 24 TH , 2010 8:30 AM – 3:15 PM QUEEN MARY ELEMENTARY 2000 TRIMBLE STREET VANCOUVER, BC
Registration Contact: Steve Mulligan VSB Anti-Homophobia & Diveristy Consultant (604)713-5180; pride@vsb.bc.ca
through the end of 2010, to Out in Schools, an education and awareness pro-
www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
7
NATIONAL NEWS
one man show nggrfg about growing up
he wears nail polish. Motivated by his ex-
supportive of the couple and who con-
black and gay; a workshop on GSA organ-
perience and by similar first-hand accounts
demned what they believe is a hate crime.
izing from Jeremy Dias, founder of Jer’s
he heard from friends, Hampton created
RCMP, not yet convinced that it is a hate
Vision; and readings from award-winning,
the Facebook page, Gay Bashing Exposed.
crime, is investigating the fire. The poten-
critically acclaimed Vancouver writer Ivan
As of this writing, it has 659 “likes” and
tial heart-breaking irony: The gay couple
Coyote.
offers details not found in news stories as
moved to Little Pond from B.C. Let’s hope
well as updates on evidence.
they weren’t trying to get away from the
The event was co-organized by the school’s gay-straight alliance and by as-
escalating number of gay bashings on the
sistant director of professional and social
West Coast.
studies with the BC Teachers’ Federation, James Chamberlain, of the famous Chamberlain v. Surrey District Surrey School
Rural Life Little pond of horrors
Board case in 1997 that ended with the
Inappropriate TOUCH OF THE IRISH
Supreme Court of Canada deciding that religious values are no excuse to keep
HALIFAX—The tolerance for demonstra-
books depicting same-sex parents out of
tive affection in public will differ depend-
the classroom.
ing on the venue and on whether it’s a
Surrey has certainly come a long way
same-sex or oppo-sex couple getting all
since the fight over One Dad, Two Dads,
gropey-feely. So it’s hard to tell what hap-
Brown Dads, Blue Dads.
pened on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 23, when two men were expelled from
Broken Facebook Online support
the pub Pógue Fadó for “inappropriate behaviour.” LITTLE POND, P.E.I.—Tired of gay bashings? How about a series of escalating acts of intimidation, culminating in massive property damage and, quite possibly, attempted murder? Five years ago a gay couple, now ages 47 and 52, moved into a little fixer-upper bungalow in Little Pond, population 100, just over an hour’s drive from Charlottetown. The two men hope to live out their lives in the lovely village setting. One day, they discovered someone
REGINA—Now, back to the bashings.
had thrown women’s underwear into their
only kissing and hugging, online news site
Aaron Hampton, age 27, was allegedly
dryer. They reported it to police. On Oct.
The Coast quotes the general manager of
beaten up outside a pizza shop in late
12, their mailbox was set on fire. Finally,
the pub who said “they had their hands
October by a group of men. The incident
just before 4 a.m. on Oct. 18, an incendi-
down each other’s pants.” The incident
escalated from verbal abuse to physical
ary flaming device was thrown through
led to the creation of two Facebook pages,
violence against Hampton and a friend,
their window while the men slept. One
Boycott Pógue Fadó-Halifax and Pógue
leaving Hampton with a wound through
dragged the other out as the house
Fadó Reverse Boycott. As reported in the
his lip that required 12 stitches.
burned down around them.
ChronicleHerald.ca Metro, the reverse
Hampton, who is bisexual, believes one reason he was targeted was because
8 9
While the male couple says they were
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
News stories quoted local residents of the close-knit community who are very
boycott page compared Rosa Parks refusal to give up her bus seat to the pub man-
NATIONAL NEWS
agement treating the gay couple the same
pub as two men shove their hands down
way it would a straight couple. Fnuh?
each others pants will haunt us forever.
The conflict ended amicably a week later with both Facebook pages voluntarily
— Charles Melvin is a Toronto-based
taken down. Still, the image of Rosa Parks
freelance writer. To comment on this or any
refusing to give up her stool in an Irish
other article in Outwords, write to letters@ outwords.ca
/
hot
Black & Blue Festival
This major player on the circuit party scene, a Montreal economy booster and a significant fundraiser for HIV/AIDS causes, celebrated it’s 20th anniversary. It has survived party-crashing Hells Angels, wayward ejaculations while breaking up dance floor fornicators, and Mitsou. Here’s to another wet and wild 20.
Guerilla GayFare Halifax It sounds like they belong on a CSIS watch list, but Molotov is the only cocktail not on this group’s agenda. Each month they “homo it up” and “take over” a straight bar for one night. Now that’s a revolutionary party.
Rev. Richard Bott This Maple Ridge, B.C., United Church minister practises what he preaches … in a large LED crawl under his church sign. For 10 days in October, his message shone brightly: “Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Bi or Transgendered? You are loved by God, and … you are welcome here.”
not
Rob Ford’s “Tamily” Values Asked about an ad that ran on a Tamil radio station endorsing Ford as mayor because he’s “married to a woman,” a snarky reference to gay-married candidate George Smitherman, the Ford camp said they had nothing against Smitherman’s “lifestyle choice.” We’d accuse them of being “disingenuous,” but they probably think the word is a compliment.
Glen Murray The Ontario minister of Research and Innovation tweeted about the Tamil ad mentioned above and described Ford, Ontario P.C. Leader Tim Hudak, and P.M. Stephen Harper as “the trifecta of republican-style, right-wing ignorance and bigotry.” Reducing a complicated truth to 140 characters led to Murray’s public-image tarnishing public apology. Ouch!
Bill Whatcott The Supreme Court of Canada will hear his appeal against the Human Rights ruling that fined him for promoting hatred. If he wins, expect leaflets in your mailbox describing homosexuals as abominations, sodomites, and perverts. Happy holidays! In related news, Santa Claus is dead.
10outwords, december 2010//
www.outwords.ca
Spotlight CHARLES MELVIN
storage space is the only thing separating the collectors from the hoarders
White picket tensions
I’m a suburbanite. Get me out of here. My partner and I
As for entertainment, we’re both past
“suburban rage” that pushed right-wing
moved to Toronto and bought a house in
the youthful pretence of saying “We don’t
candidate Rob Ford into the mayoral race
the suburbs instead of living downtown.
watch TV.” However, we don’t have cable
with his anti-urban ideas. It also saved us
For a gay couple, that’s like travelling to
or satellite. We have one antenna and three
from believing that “Toronto elites” are
San Francisco for the Rice-A-Roni.
TVs, an excess I blame on my partner. He
ruining Canada, as John Baird bellowed in
In our defence, coming from Winni-
grew up on a farm. It was either Hockey
September when he came out of the closet
peg, it was hard to tell where downtown
Night in Canada or play patty-cake with
as a lover of long guns.
ended and the suburbs began. In Toronto
the cows.
you’re never more than a few blocks away from hipsters, homos, or a Tim Hortons. We also had no idea that there was a
As for that suburban requisite of 2.1 kids caged inside a white picket
war going on between the suburbs and
fence, my partner will
downtown.
tell you that we do have
In 1998, the provincial government un-
“two mouths to feed at
commuting might have worked for Sheena Easton… but my baby ain’t taking the morning train
der Mike Harris’ alleged “Common Sense
home.” He’s referring
Revolution” amalgamated seven municipal-
to our vacuum cleaners.
ities into one “megacity.” It saved money,
He’s a neat freak. If I were
but territorial tensions still linger at City
a single parent to our
Hall. It’s like the Romulans vs the United
cleaning tools, Child and
Federation of Planets, only with bloated
Family Services would be
white guys in suits with Queen St. sausage
all over me like Tweens on Twitter.
on their breath. So how did my partner and I end up
For all its comforts, the suburbs don’t feel like home. Strip malls turn me off, gar-
Polls indicated that many of our neighbours were Ford supporters, ready to put their middle-class comforts ahead of the working class folks who serve them lattes and donuts when they go downtown for a Leafs game. Those working class people rely on the public transit and city services that Rob Ford would jeopardize. Even in Toronto, we’re flying in a gay migration pattern, flee-
ing an intolerant landscape, leaving for one night to “forget all our troubles, forget all our cares, and go downtown.”
on team suburb? Our options were (a) live
den gnomes creep me out, and backyard
in a shoebox in the downtown core, far
hot tubs make me gag. I always look for
the hubby and I are both Petula Clarks at
away from my hubby’s office or (b) live in
the cartoon cannibal wearing a bib and a
heart.
a slightly larger shoe box in a suburban
nose-bone stirring the bubbling water with
outpost within walking distance of hubby’s
a big spoon.
office. We chose the latter. Commuting might have worked for
So when we get a hankering for bright lights and night life, we squeeze into our
Sheena Easton, circa 1980, but my baby
Spanx, pluck the unsightly nose and ear
ain’t taking the morning train. And the
hair, and hop on a bus. We’re keeping it
extra room is a sanity-saver. Storage space
real, yo!
is the only thing separating the collectors from the hoarders.
We may be “bridge and tunnel,” but
– Charles Melvin is a Toronto-based freelance writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@ outwords.ca
Our long-distance love affair with downtown kept us from feeling the www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
11
high cost
Who pays the of HIV drugs? Thre are massive holes in Canadian pharma-quilt
By Peter Carlyle-Gordge
have no national plan when it comes to
problem is that getting access to HIV drugs
helping citizens pay for expensive drugs.
varies from province to province and gets
Winnipegger Jim Kane, who recently
more complicated when you consider the
became prairie regional representative on
federal government has its own drug ac-
the board of the Canadian AIDS Society,
cess programs.”
Divide and conquor has long been a sound
says it’s time politicians paid attention to
Few people realize that in Canada our
policy if you want to win and it’s one that
the uneven and unfair costs that burden
catastrophic drug plans resemble a patch-
Big Pharma has certainly capitalized on. In
people buying drugs, especially those for
work quilt with some big holes in it. Mani-
recent years, drug companies have mas-
life-threatening illnesses. He says every
toba used to have a Life Saving Drugs Plan
sively increased the cost of some life-saving
province has a different system for cover-
that provided free HIV drugs, but that was
drugs and health ministers are becoming
ing drug costs and it’s causing hardship for
dropped in 1995 and now your income
increasingly worried about the escalation.
many people. He’s been living with HIV for
determines what you pay for drugs. This
Others are worried that Canada seems to
almost 25 years and says the cost of ob-
year, for example, the sliding pharmacare
taining drugs depends on where you live,
scale requires anyone with an adjusted
whether you have a low income, whether
net family income below $27,000 to pay
you have third-party insurance and many other factors. His own annual drug costs are now around $36,000.
4.13 per cent of that towards their drug costs. Anyone with a family income above $75,000 would pay 6.12 per cent. In Alberta, one of the richer provinces, HIV drugs are free. In Ontario, the user pays for drugs up to four per cent of
“People
net family income, while in Saskatchewan
recently
you pay up to 3.4 per cent of net income.
diagnosed
Clearly, what you pay depends on where
and who
you live and Jim Kane thinks that’s wrong,
have no
since our health-care system is supposedly
resist-
universal. Each province or territory makes
ance to
other treatments it will cover. The deci-
generally have
sion is based mainly on economic factors,
lower bills but
including its drug budget, population base
as you survive longer and develop resistance the costs tend to go up because you need new types of drugs,” he says. “The
12 13
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
its own decision about which drugs and
HIV drugs
and number of eligible residents with each disease or condition. Unlike most countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Co-
though the types of diseases covered vary
Manitoba used to have a Life Saving Drugs Plan that provided free HIV drugs, but that was dropped in 1995 and now your income determines what you pay for drugs.
by province and territory. Programs for those on social assistance and low-income seniors either require minimal co-payments, or they cover the full costs of drugs. Many employers also offer private plans which offer some degree of protection from huge drug bills. The federal government has its own
operation and Development (OECD), Can-
the new money for whatever it decided
dizzying array of plans to cover drug costs.
ada does not have a national catastrophic
needed it most.”
Its drug plans cover aboriginals, public serv-
drug coverage system. What it has is a
That funding agreement is up for rene-
ants, veterans and members of the armed
confusing patchwork of public and private
gotiation in 2014 and Kane hopes by then
services, regular and retired members of
drug insurance plans. There are 19 publicly
there will be enough pressure on govern-
the RCMP, Correctional Service of Canada
funded drug plans: 10 provincial, three
ments to move forward with some kind of
workers, federal offenders, refugee claim-
territorial and six federal. These programs
national plan for catastrophic drug cover-
ants, Convention refugees, and persons
complement more than 1,000 private drug
age. The Canadian AIDS Society -– a na-
detained by the government for immigra-
insurance programs offered by employers,
tional coalition of more than 125 commu-
tion purposes.
unions and professional associations across
nity-based AIDS organizations from across
the country. These plans vary significantly
Canada – will be one group pressuring poli-
Pharma companies a 20-year patent on
in terms of eligibility, benefit payment
ticians to get the national catastrophic drug
their drugs before generic products could
structures and drug formularies.
plan in place. Jeffrey Keller, a lawyer who
be made at a lower price. They have made
lives with HIV and is also the prairie region
many millions in profit from HIV drugs and
age program for its residents. The program
director for the Canadian AIDS Society,
cancer drugs. When life itself is at stake
caps out-of-pocket expenses at $25 per
told Outwords the current hodge-podge of
people—and governments—are really over
prescription. However, it does not pro-
plans is unfair.
a financial barrel and Canadians pay some
Alberta provides a universal drug cover-
The Mulroney government gave Big
vide an overall cap to protect against high
“Some people with HIV do have trou-
drug costs, but instead limits its payout to
ble paying for their portion of the drugs,”
Kane says a loophole in the patent legisla-
$25,000 per year. Prince Edward Island,
he says. “In Saskatchewan I might end up
tion allows for “evergreening” and it’s cost-
New Brunswick and Yukon do not have
paying hundreds a month, but I live in Al-
ing governments and consumers plenty.
universal programs. In Nunavut the govern-
berta now and I never see a drug bill. If you
Basically the clause allows drug companies
ment provides 100 per cent drug coverage.
live in Ontario the best thing to do is go on
to extend their 20-year patent protection
welfare and then your drugs are free. How
by three years, provided they ‘improve’
can that make sense?”
the drug in some way. In one case, he says,
In 2004, as part of a National Pharmaceuticals Strategy, Canada’s first ministers established a federal/provincial/territorial
The Canadian Council on Integrated
of the highest drug prices in the world.
they simply changed a large, chalky-tasting
ministerial task force to develop, assess
Health Care (CCIH), an independent think
pill into a smaller more easily digested tab-
and cost options for national catastrophic
tank, is also urging change. As it noted in
let, thus extending their patent protection.
drug coverage. Kane says Ottawa did come
a recent report: “The 2003 Health Ac-
“The government needs to closely monitor
through with a large pot of new health
cord promised to ensure that all Canadians
this kind of patent extension,” he says.
money for the provinces in 2003/4 but
would have reasonable access to cata-
there is still no national drug coverage plan.
strophic drug coverage, public drug insur-
“The trouble is that the feds attached no
ance to prevent financial hardship.”
strings to the money,” he says. “An election
Most provinces and territories do cover
was on the horizon and each province used
drug costs for people with specific diseases that require high-cost prescription drugs,
– Peter Carlye-Gordge is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer, former producer for CBC and former Maclean’s writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca
www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
13
The Year of Android and iPad
It was a year of ups
+ downs
technology Corey Shefman
“ In a week, that shiny new computer will be nearly an antique…”
It’s often said that a
March
September
week is a long time
Following in the footsteps of the Nintendo
Google Instant, launched in September,
in politics. The same
Wii, March saw the launch of the
made the world’s best search engine even
could be said for
Playstation Move – a motion controller for
better. Google Instant searches the web as
technology. In a week,
Sony’s Playstation gaming system. Move
you type your search terms and suggests
that shiny new com-
and Wii were joined in November of this
additional terms to refine your search. For
puter will be nearly
year by Kinect, for Microsoft’s XBOX.
example, type “Why” and Google begins
an antique, that MP3 player will be replaced
with an even shinier one. 2010 was no different. This year saw the release of the iPad – the fastest selling gadget ever. 2010 could also be called the year of Android, with phones featuring Google’s smartphone operating system proliferating in both Canada and the United States. Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the big news in tech this past year.
January While many of us were still shaking off hangovers from New Years celebrations, Google unveiled its Nexus One smartphone. The Nexus One was one of the first phones in North America sold without a contract and by the source com-
searching for “Why is the sky blue?” until you
April The iPad has landed! In April 2010, the iPad tablet computer went on sale. The
October
release of the iPad marked the beginning
Kobo, owned by Indigo Books, launched
of what many expect to be a revolution in
the second generation of its ebook reader.
personal computing. Despite relying on
While maintaining its position as the least
Apple’s iOS (the same operating system
expensive and lightest ebook reader on the
used in the iPod Touch and iPhone) and
market the second version of their reader
thus limited in its use, the iPad is now the
also includes WiFi and free wireless access
world’s fastest selling gadget.
at Bell hotspots. This important addition brings the Kobo in line with the standard
May By May, there had been nine reported suicides in 2010 at the FoxConn factory in Taiwan, where Apple’s iPhone and iPad are
sumers to purchase books, magazines and newspapers on the go.
December
like conditions and working 12-hour days
December 7th marks the launch date of
without being able to speak in the factory.
the third major expansion for the (literally)
June In more Apple news, the iPhone 4 debuted this year to both acclaim and derision. While an aesthetic victory, the iPhone 4 had a number of significant problems at launch. When held a certain
pany – Google – not by the networks.
way, the phone lost all wireless signal, the
Unfortunately, the Nexus One ended up
glass back of the phone cracked too easily
being a flop – Google stopped selling it
and the promised white version was no-
this fall.
where to be seen. But it was sold out for a month after being released.
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
set by the Amazon Kindle, allowing con-
produced. Workers reported sweatshop-
…in Taiwan, where Apple’s iPhone and iPad are produced, workers reported sweatshop-like conditions
14 15
add more specific terms your own search.
groundbreaking mass multiplayer online role playing game (MMPORG) World of Warcraft. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will see the entire Warcraft world remade as the evil Deathwing (an angry giant dragon) escapes from his underground prison, causing massive earthquakes and reshaping the terrain and geography of the in-game world. World of Warcraft has over 12 million players worldwide. – Corey Shefman is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, e-mail letters@ outwords.ca
Inviting You & Your Family to the Manitoba Legislature Open House December 4 from 1-3 PM
bidhu jha
chris melnick
diane mcgifford
222-0074
253-5162
452-4320
MLA for rAdisson
radisson@shaw.ca
MLA for rieL
christinemelnick@mts.net
MLA for Lord roberts
dianemc@mts.net
jennifer howard jim rondeau MLA for fort rouge
946-0272
fortrouge@mts.net
MLA for AssiniboiA
888-7722
assiniboiaca@shaw.ca
For more information please visit
http://openhouse.yourmanitoba.ca/
Ever Evolving
Delerium By DJ Ryan G
An acoustic collection that works For those of you who have followed Canadian electronic music, Delerium is certainly not only familiar, but likely already occupying some shelf space as part of your CD collection. The band members have changed over the years, and the sound has evolved over time, but the constant has been that Delerium has lit up dance floors across the globe with the help of a string of talented guest vocalists including Sarah McLachlan, Kreesha Turner, Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer, and Jaël from Lunik. I have to admit, when I first heard that Delerium had a new album being released I was instantly excited. That excitement started to fade when I heard it was going to be a compilation, and almost disappeared when I discovered that the entire album was going to be acoustic. The thought of an acoustic Delerium album just seemed to be very, very wrong. One of my fondest memories of Winnipeg’s legendary GLBT club, Happenings
16 17
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
Social Club, was being in the
sense of loss being conjured up by the tale.
DJ booth playing the Tiesto
Next up, facing my fears, I listened to the
remix of Delerium’s “Silence”.
acoustic version of “Silence”. Despite some
It pounded through the sound
heavenly string accompaniment, it unfor-
system. The bass shook the
tunately just didn’t hit all the right spots for
building, while the dancers
me. It would have been something special
on the floor had their hands
to re-record Sarah McLaughlan’s vocals to
up high and their eyes closed.
give it a fresh feel, but instead it just felt
The music seemed to sweep
like a stripped down version of what we’ve
them off their feet and to a
already heard for years. Of all the tracks
different plane of existence. It
that could have evoked an emotional re-
was truly amazing. Could an
sponse, I hoped this would have been the
acoustic version of the seminal
one. “Innocente” picks up the pieces with
track ever compare to that sort
a layered tribal percussion-driven version of
of experience? I was willing
the beloved heartbreak track. The decision
to give it a chance, if only out
to push the volume on Jaël’s vocals while
of morbid curiosity. After all,
dialing back the supporting instrumenta-
Delerium’s founder and only
tion on “After All” helped to transform
constant member, Bill Leeb
the dance track. Stripping away the vocal
has been reinventing himself
effects of the original and allowing Jael’s
and his bands for years so maybe he could
emotion to pour out exposed the anguish
actually pull it off.
and melancholy that the vocals always
“Voice: An Acoustic Collection” completely surprised me. The opening track
expressed. When I hear this new version, my heart aches. The hands-down standout extraordinary
the hands-down stand-out extraordinary offering from the album, is the acoustic version of “Flowers Become Screens”
offering from the album, is the acoustic version of “Flowers Become Screens”. With a freshly rerecorded vocal, and a
“Send Me An Angel” storms through the
completely thought-out arrangement, this
door. Piano led and string supported, the
one is an absolute home run. It has to be
stage is immediately set by Michelle Rich-
heard, as any description in print could not
ards and her stunning vocals. The next
do this gem justice.
track that really caught my attention was
Despite the few misses on this album,
“Too Late, Farewell” featuring the beautiful
the hits make it one that I definitely recom-
and captivating vocals of Butterfly Bouch-
mend.
er. I have to admit at this point I replayed the track multiple times before going on to the rest of the album. It was the first of multiple emotional reactions this album got out of me. I felt such an overwhelming
– DJ Ryan G is well known for spinning discs at queer events throughout the year. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca.
book review
New Book Offers Guidance Transgender journey lonely & difficult
By Bowen Smyth
What do you do when
ple), but not books
she wanted her book to be honest. Drawing
you’re suffering from
about the transition-
on the five-stage grief cycle model devel-
anxiety and depression
ing process.” Unable
oped by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, McDonald
after coming out as
to find resources that
acknowledges the reality of grief in the
trans and losing your
enabled her family to
transition process. “You’re dealing with the
job, your home and
understand her ex-
death of someone; you’re dealing with the
your family? When this
perience, McDonald
death of yourself.”
happened to Katherine
wrote Flying Blind not
McDonald, she de-
only for transgender
members can be particularly challenging to
cided to write a book.
people, but for their
work through, McDonald devotes a chapter
“I was tired of having
family members and
specifically to parents. “Transitioning de-
to explain that being
health-care profes-
stroys all their memories, the history you’ve
trans was not a choice,
sionals. “I’ve spent so
shared. You’re saying they never knew you.”
and I wanted to be
much time educat-
able to give people a
ing professionals on
receive a book written by a trans-woman,
guidebook to under-
(trans issues).” She
McDonald discovered that one of her most
stand what was going
notes that there is
enthusiastic supporters was a young trans-
on, and how to get
very little material re-
man. “He found [the book] very appropri-
through it,” she says.
lated to transgender
ate,” McDonald says.
McDonald, a writer and trans-woman living in Winnipeg, has recently published her book, Flying Blind (and getting there all
Transitioning destroys all their memories, the history you’ve shared. You’re saying they never knew you.
health in textbooks that are used to train
Since the loss experienced by family
Curious to know how trans-men might
After a successful book launch that included readings at McNally Robinson and at
health-care profes-
a coffee house during Pride week, McDon-
sionals.
ald’s next item on the agenda is to tour her
The book addresses issues such
book through the United States. So far, she is thrilled with the supportive
the same): The transitioner’s handbook for
as coming out, working with health-care
feedback from counsellors, health-care pro-
FtM, MtF, and their ground crew. Printed by
professionals, self-acceptance and trust.
fessionals and people who identify as trans-
Smiling Daisies Publishing Inc. Flying Blind
“You’ve learned to hide [your identity] for
gender. “I haven’t had anyone who’s had a
is a pocket-sized, 292-page book with a
most of your life. …How do you start with
negative comment about it,” she says.
discreet cover.
trust?” McDonald notes that this is a difficult
Smiling Daisies Publishing Inc. is assist-
“I had been trying to write another
process, considering how transgender peo-
ing McDonald with the process of setting up
book and I hit writer’s block in trying to fin-
ple have been treated on the streets and in
a fund that will use proceeds from the book
ish it,” says McDonald. After a friend encour-
health-care settings.
to assist people with the financial costs of
aged her just to write what she needed to
Building trust with others begins with
say, she put the other book on hold and be-
trusting yourself, a process of self-accept-
gan writing Flying Blind. “It just poured out
ance. “Coming out means coming out to
of me. It was stuck there and should have
yourself first,” McDonald says. “The first
come out a long time before that.”
person you’re facing is yourself, and that’s a
Flying Blind is the book McDonald wishes she could have had when she was transitioning. “There were biographies (of trans-peo-
really tough thing to deal with.”
transitioning. Flying Blind can be purchased from McNally Robinson Booksellers. – Bowen Smyth is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca.
It was important for McDonald not to “sugar coat” the realities of transitioning;
www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
17
.
All That Glitters AN iNTiMATE NEW YEArS EvENiNG with Pink Money Events, to benefit OutWords Magazine
Excellent Edibles by The Maple Tree/Cafe Dario Dancing Smart Cocktails (cash bar) Complimentary Coat Check Party Favours Bubbly at Midnight
Dress: All That Glitters! FriDAY, DECEMBEr 31, 2010 8 pm. to 1 am • The Loft, 62 Evanson Street Admission: $40.00 • Tickets from Chris, 772-8215 (visa/mcard/amex) Or cvogel@mymts.net
Excellent Hot and Cold Edibles Dancing Smart Cocktails (cash bar) ~ Complimentary Coat Check ~ Party Favours ~ Bubbly at Midnight DrESS: All THAT GliTTErS!
All That Glitters An intimate New Years Evening with Pink Money Events, to benefit OutWords Magazine ~ Excellent Hot and Cold Edibles ~ Dancing ~ Smart Cocktails (cash bar)~ Complimentary coat check ~ Party favours ~ Bubbly at midnight DrESS: All THAT GliTTErS!
Friday, December 31, 2010, 8 pm. to 1 am The Loft, 62 Evanson Street • Admission: $40.00. Tickets from Chris, 772-8215 (visa/ mcard/amex) Or cvogel@mymts. net
STAY ALERT PULL OVER. Please Yield the Right of Way to Emergency Vehicles A message from the John Petropolous Memorial Fund
18 19
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
www.jpmf.ca/trafficsafety
A Gl
section header
FAKE OR REAL
Good Grief! By: Roselle Turenne
My dad is flipping through a pile of flat frozen spruce trees as though he’s turning pages from an oversized album. He holds one up and says “What do you think!?” I raise my arms towards the majestic three-dimensional pines placed in rows “Why can’t we get one of these?” I plead. “Just wait and see – it will be beautiful when it thaws out!” He pays the man and we toss the Christmas tree in the back of our rusty pick-up truck. I glower at the miniature version of our tree hanging from the rear-view mirror as we pull away. >>
www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
19
The metal stand and skirt are laid out
There are certainly advantages to haul-
through a planted forest of semi-perfect
over the green shag carpet. Colourful
ing a tree out of storage. Today’s versions
trees, hot cocoa, wood smoke filling the
glass ornaments are piled in boxes on the
are made to minimize shouting matches.
air, a wooden toboggan being dragged
flowered chesterfield. Nana Mouskouri is
These new pop-up, pre-lit beauties take
through the fluffy snow, and sleigh bells...
crooning Mon beau sapin from the Hi-Fi.
minutes to set up. Ornament kits ensure
Is this Manitoba or a scene from the latest
“Spin it around, some more, a bit more,
that your tree is colour co-ordinated, just
LL Bean catalogue? There is something to
uh, the other side... OK, we’ll need LOTS
add the star on top, cue in Susan Lucci and
be said about cutting down your own tree,
of garland,” mom is playing the role of artistic director. This Christmas ritual is nothing like what you see on a TV special. Let the arguing commence! It’s fair to assume that Charlie Brown and friends
sure the fake ones are perky and flawless, but I’ve always been partial to the real ones…
you’re on your way to the
tying it to the top of your car and stuffing
perfect soap opera Christ-
it through the front door. The smell itself is
mas. These are not the
worth it, in my opinion!
artificial trees of our youth.
boo floor. I’m sitting in the 1960s retro
ful and quite economical.
chair in my living room. Boney M is belting
The biggest downside –
out Feliz Navidad. “Spin it around, some
where is the ritual?
more, a bit more, uh, the other side...
were not the only ones busy waving their
Temporary tree lots, big box stores
hands trying to create something beauti-
and garden centres continue to attract
ful from a homely tree. Most of us have
many festive shoppers seeking out the
lived through some sort of tree decorating
perfect pine. Little has changed over the
debacle. This year I’m hosting Christmas, I
years (shag carpet is even back in vogue).
am now faced with the daunting ques-
But there is another way to spend your
tion – should I go fake or real. Sure the fake
time and money picking out the real deal.
ones are perky and flawless, but I’ve always
Christmas tree farms offer families the
been partial to the real ones (we’re still
opportunity to spend the day in Nor-
talking trees right)!
man Rockwell style. Happy folks walking
GETTING the
REAL facts For the most part, real Christmas trees: • are grown and sold locally • produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide for 10 to 12 years before being cut • are fully recyclable • provide habitat • once cut, are replaced with at least two more seedlings * David Suzuki Foundation
20outwords, december 2010//
www.outwords.ca
The tree stand is sitting on the bam-
They are simple and beauti-
OK, we’ll need LOTS of garland” ...and it begins. – Roselle Turenne is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@ outwords.ca.
270,000 XMESs YOUR TREE AFTER
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Remember to recycle your Real Christmas tree when you are finished with it! Trees are used as mulch for landscaping throughout the city. Some of your trees can be found along the River Trail prior to being chipped.
Over the past 19 years, Winnipeggers have recycled almost 270,000 trees, which has diverted over 1200 tonnes of material from the City’s landfill.
15,000 The city mulches an average of 15000 trees each year!
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21
love honour and cherish
Every fall on Yom Kippur (the holi-
that is truly remarkable. Shaarey Zedek is
est day of the Jewish year, when
the first and thus far the only Conserva-
Jews worldwide fast and ask for a
tive synagogue in Canada that performs
good year to come), that part of
traditional Jewish weddings for gay and
the Torah, the Jewish Bible, which
lesbian Jews. Shaarey Zedek’s journey to full
has caused so much pain for so
acceptance of gay and lesbian Jews began
many gays and lesbians, is read
in December 2006, shortly after the “Com-
publicly to the assembled congre-
mittee on Jewish Law and Standards” of the
gation. “Thou shalt not lie with a
North American Conservative movement
man as you lie with a woman; it is
issued split decisions on whether Jewish
an abomination.”
law allowed for gay marriage. It was left
For many gay Jews, this is a
Green, along with Rabbi Lawrence Pinsker,
But in 2008, gay Jews attending
Shaarey Zedek’s associate rabbi, felt that it
Shaarey Zedek, Winnipeg’s largest
was time for equality.
A New Home For Winnipeg’s Queer Jews By Corey Shefman
synagogue,
can Conservative synagogues began offer-
heard Rabbi
ing “commitment ceremonies” for gay and
Alan Green
lesbian couples. For some, ‘marriage’ for
announce that
gays might still have been seen as incom-
their syna-
patible with Jewish law. For others, howev-
gogue would soon become the first Con-
er, weddings for gay and lesbian Jews were
servative (in denomination, not political
off the table simply because there were no
viewpoint) Shul to welcome gay and lesbian
official ceremonies or symbols created for
Jews fully into their community.
gay weddings. In Judaism, the traditional wedding ceremony relies heavily on male-
to 2008, Rabbi Green announced that as
female imagery and would not make sense
of January 2008, gay and lesbian couples
at a gay wedding.
would be eligible to be buried as a couple
This was not a problem for Shaarey
in the Shaarey Zedek cemetery. The fol-
Zedek. According to Rabbi Pinsker, Shaarey
lowing year, gays and lesbians would be
Zedek’s commitment to gay rights, includ-
welcomed as members of the synagogue,
ing performing gay weddings (not just
allowing them to sit on committees and cel-
“commitment ceremonies”) is based entire-
ebrate lifecycle events (bar or bat mitzvahs
ly in Halachah (Jewish law). He is quick to
for their children, mourning, etc). Finally,
brush aside any suggestion that the inclu-
as of January 1, 2010, gay and lesbian Jew-
sion of gays and lesbians in the synagogue
ish couples would be able to get married.
is a social or cultural decision, but rather he
While this incremental and lengthy process might not seem revolutionary to many, from the perspective of the Conservative Jewish community, it was indeed groundbreaking. While the entire process is noteworthy, it is this last step
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
Following those rulings, some Ameri-
would have
After a year of consultations from 2007
22 23
up to individual rabbis to decide and Rabbi
moment of shame or conflict.
of policies that Shaarey Zedek and its members have embraced wholeheartedly. While many Reform (a less traditional Jewish denomination) synagogues have performed gay marriages for a number of years, the introduction of the ceremony to a Conservative synagogue is an important step for a community that in recent years has drifted to the right politically. The Conservative movement in Judaism has long been the home of “modern” Jews who
According to Rabbi Pinsker, Shaarey Zedek’s commitment to gay rights, including performing gay weddings (not just “commitment ceremonies”) is based entirely in Halachah (Jewish law).
want to retain more tradition and observance than the average. It has often struggled to find a balance between modernity and tradition, in a manner that Rabbi Pinsker compares to a bonsai tree. He notes that like the bonsai, the Conservative movement needs to be trained to “adapt to its
insists that it is a religious decision based
cus 18:22, (reproduced at the beginning
new shape.” While it may want to grow in
in scripture and Jewish law. Indeed, Rabbi
of this article) if taken in its socio-historical
one direction, it is incumbent on its leaders
Pinsker explains that Shaarey Zedek’s un-
context, is in fact more likely a prohibition
to ensure that it responds to the needs of
derstanding of Jewish law does not differ-
against pagan rituals, idol worship and
its members. As more synagogues and Jews
entiate between same-sex and opposite-sex
what can be best summed up as religious
realize that the interpretation of the Bible
relationships. To insist on a commitment
orgies, common at the time the Bible was
which makes homosexuality a sin may not
ceremony instead of a wedding would be,
written. In other words, Shaarey Zedek has
in fact be the correct interpretation, it will
in his words, an; “insufficient standard of
not just opened the ritual of marriage to
become easier, according to Rabbi Pinsker,
support” for gay and lesbian couples.
gay and lesbian couples, they have begun
for others to follow suit.
For Rabbis Green and Pinsker, this is
to open the religion as a whole to gays and
Rabbi Pinsker makes it abundantly clear
not simply a question of equality. Rabbi
lesbians, doing their best to wipe away the
to me that this straight, married, tradition-
Pinsker explaines that rabbis, scholars and
historical hostility.
ally religious man really “got it” in a way
historians around the world have begun
Remarkably, Rabbi Pinkser noted that
that most straight people don’t. He has
challenging the traditional understanding
during the consultation period leading up
fought his whole career for the inclusion
of Judaism’s prohibition on homosexuality.
to the final decision to include gays and les-
of gay and lesbian Jews in the synagogue
bians in synagogue life, the comment the
and community. “We need the creativity;
rabbis heard most frequently from mem-
we need the intelligence, and the subtly
bers and stakeholders was; “What took you
nuanced insights into the formation of true
so long?” Indeed, the synagogue claims to
companionship which oftentimes are ex-
have lost less than half a dozen members as
pressed mostly truly in relationships in the
a result of the policy change. This claim is
gay and lesbian community,” he says.
He points out that the verse most fundamental to the argument that the Bible prohibits homosexuality, Leviti-
nothing short of astounding, given that in Ontario and Quebec, many Conservative synagogues have recently banded together in opposition to just the sort
– Corey Shefman is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@ outwords.ca.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
23
Clothing as protest and identity…. or hipster irony fashion R.M. Goodman
“One could not watch the evening news in the ‘70s without seeing Arafat in his trademark Raybans and scarf…”
I went to my fave
of the Mid-East that would endure for
coffee bar just off
decades.
Calgary’s 17th
So I asked the young man if he knew
Many times in fashion we have seen some interesting trends emerge because of political movements.
Avenue, S.W. where
the significance of what he was wearing –
India – Ghandi – the “homespun”
the hipster elite that
that significance being an instant sense of
directives. During the British occupation
dominate this ’hood
perhaps being simpatico with Arab culture
of India, and this also extends to a status
gather every day to
or the Palestinian struggle? He smiled and
thing, many Indians wore clothing that
read the Globe and
said, “It looks cool.”
was milled in England. Ghandi, through-
Mail, admire each
I was somewhat stunned and kind of
out his many travels in his homeland, rec-
other’s sense of good
regretted the fact that the long line behind
ognized the hardships that his own people
taste, and lavish atten-
me stymied the historical lecture I could
suffered because their cloth, their natural
tion on the pampered
have delivered. Since when did certain
dyes, were set aside in favour of the domi-
pooches of the well-heeled, fussy java
pieces of clothing become hip? I have no
nant economic force that British goods
drinkers. The coffee is so damned good
problem with the “discovery” of certain
were. When Ghandi exhorted his
here that the line extends out the front
icons but please, do some research first
countrymen and women to don
door.
because you may think twice about wear-
“homespun” as a sign of soli-
ing certain things or barring that, at least
darity and identity it was a
and cannot help but notice this young
respect those items for what they may
shot that resonated in
man’s attire. No, it is not the nice sweater
represent?
the industrialized
I eventually get up to the barista area
or perfectly fitting jeans that catch my attention but rather this vibrant scarf wrapped perfectly around his
I am not saying that a keffiyeh is evil. Hell, no. It is an eminently practical and very neat piece of gear.
neck and draping itself down his back. I recognize instantly
Now I am not saying that a keffiyeh
the pattern, black lines arranged in a
is evil. Hell, no. It is an eminently practi-
particular way over a white background,
cal and very neat piece of gear. Men and
tassels anchoring the end – it is the classic
women can wear it, it keeps all sorts of
keffiyeh made famous by Yasser Arafat,
crap out of your face no matter where
former head of the Palestinian Liberation
you may be – desert or waiting for a
Organization.
bus on the prairies. A keffiyeh not
One could not watch the evening
only looks totally cool but if your
news in the ‘70s without seeing Arafat
friend gets stuck in “quick snow”
in his trademark Raybans and scarf – he
while carrying the beer you can
embodied the height of “terrorist” fashion
rescue them! So strong is that
and his scarf became an instant symbol
hand-woven fabric!
24 outwords, december 2010//
www.outwords.ca
section header
western schmatte realms. http://static2.
Morocco back in 1996, a time long-past
bigstockphoto.com/thumbs/0/4/1/
colonization, it was very interesting indeed
the rarified world of high fashion, exists
large2/1402601.jpg
to see businesswomen still wearing the
for practical purposes but when a simple
djellaba over their western garb, whilst
piece of clothing becomes an icon of sorts,
pied, the wearing of traditional garb for
walking in high heels and doing business
an expression of a deeper philosophy – like
many years was suppressed. The djellaba,
on their cellphones.
it or not – it transcends the mundane and
In Morocco, which was French-occu-
a monk-like covering with hood that was
It was a piece of clothing that years
traditionally worn by men and discouraged
later I came to appreciate when trekking in
by the occupiers, was taken up by Moroc-
areas where “modesty”, even though I de-
can women as if to say, OK men cannot wear this but we will. When I
spise certain origins for it, made sense.
Clothing for the most part, excepting
can be reinvented into something of a lasting nature. Besides those sentiments, one must always be pragmatic whilst maintaining a fab look, non?
was in – R.M. Goodman is a freelance writer and closet-case fashionista. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
25
Great times start with Liquor Mart gift cards
Purchase Liquor Mart gift cards at any Manitoba Liquor Mart. Available in $25 cards or choose your own value from $10 - $250.
26 27
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
Everything tastes better with atmosphere
Cheap or pricey, it’s personality that counts off menu kenton smith
We’ve all had this
“... these spots are one-of-akind, and the experience is holistic”
Among the most obvious is 529 Wel-
voodoo of Kelekis on north Main. (The Eye
conversation: “Where
lington. It’s warm, inviting and literally
Opener is just a few klicks further up the
do you want to go?”
homey – being a converted historic man-
road.)
“I dunno. Somewhere nice.” You might want to be careful with that adjective – lest your casual response be
sion and all. The rich earth tones, polished
The High and Lonesome Club, further
wood and plush carpeting make it an
south on Main, may just offer Winnipeg’s
amazing place simply to drop in for a slosh.
best Mexican food as advertised. The deli-
But that’s another column.
cious, satisfying tortilla soup is a standout.
One obvious choice that will still inspire surprise among some locals (“Really?
But it’s the funky, blues bar digs that really make you want to be there.
accepted and you find yourself ordering
That place?”) is Maxime’s Restaurant on
lobster at 529 Wellington. Yet, there’s no
St. Mary’s Road near St. Vital Shopping
natown, which is likewise quite possibly
question that ambience can be almost as
Centre. Yes, it’s out of the way for many
in its own category. Waiters in mustard
integral a part of dining as the food on
Winnipeggers. But that dining room is
yellow jackets (who are also not unknown
your plate.
something. And you wouldn’t suspect it
to wear bow ties) push trolleys from which
from the outside.
dinner as well as dim sum is transferred to
There was one place I just had to eat at in Paris, for instance: Brasserie Bofinger,
And then there’s the Shanghai in Chi-
That’s what enhances the impact.
Formica tables. You practically feel like a
near Place de la Bastille in all its art nou-
You don’t even see the dining room upon
beatnik in back-in-the-day San Francisco.
veau glory. The place pulsated history, and
entering. But when it’s time to be seated…
scarfing steak tartare under the stained
that’s when the stained-glass, chande-
there’s inimitable. These spots are one-
glass dome probably helped distract from
liered, expansive brilliance of the place
of-a-kind, and the experience is holistic.
the fact that I was eating raw meat.
blitzes your retinas. (The food – of the
So next time someone asks where do you
steak, seafood and pasta variety – is pretty
want to go, answer: “Somewhere with
good, too.)
personality.”
So, consider that sometimes you’re paying at least in part for the ambience. It can also work in reverse at the opposite
Yeah, you say, but I don’t go in for
end of the price spectrum. Take Montreal
frou-frou. Very well – how about a classic
institution Wilensky’s Light Lunch and their
diner experience? The Nook on Sherbrook
Wilensky’s Special: salami, bologna and
offers one of Winnipeg’s best
mustard on a Kaiser roll, pressed.
breakfasts, complete with a free
It’s better than it sounds. But it’s the
as instruction’s are barked
When you think of it that way, you real-
gruffly to staff.
“high.” And that brings us back to Winnipeg,
– Kenton Smith is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. To comment on this on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@ outwords.ca.
show from behind the counter
shabby charm of the place itself you go for. ize the “low” can offer greater value than
You see, there’s “nice,” and then
When it comes to diners, in fact, Winnipeg is spoiled with choice. Take your pick,
with its own share of establishments whose
from the classic swivel-seat
proprietors understand that atmosphere
countertop of the Wagon
aids digestion. It may also inspire you to
Wheel on Hargrave, to
darken the door of eateries you might not
the dimly lit, Wall of
have considered otherwise.
Fame, this-place-hasn’tchanged-since-the-‘60s
www.outwords.ca// outwords, december 2010
27
Holiday Spirits No one knows when beverage alcohol was first used, but it was presumably the result of a fortuitous accident that occurred tens of thousands of years ago. The discovery of late Stone Age beer jugs has established the fact that intentionally fermented beverages existed at least as early as the Neolithic period and it has been suggested that beer may have preceded bread as a staple. While alcohol (for most of us) is not longer considered a dietary staple, it is a staple of many holiday celebrations
Angel’s Delight Creamy and pink this semi-classic cocktail is ideal for dessert, but takes that genre into a different realm because of the underlying gin. * 1 oz cream * 3/4 oz triple sec * 3/4 oz gin * 2-3 dashes grenadine 1. Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. 2. Shake well. 3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT YOU’VE GOT This ingensious site lets you type in your ingredients and gives you drink recipes that use them. 28outwords, december 2010//
www.outwords.ca
www.drinkgenius.com
Merry Irishman Whiskey, coffee and mint combine to create an after dinner sipper or a relaxing Christmas Eve nightcap * 2 parts Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey * 1 part Kahlua * 1/2 part mint schnapps * candy cane for garnish
A glass of white or red wine, a bottle of beer, and a shot of whiskey or other distilled spirits all contain equivalent amounts of alcohol and are the same to a Breathalyzer.
1. Build ingredients in a rocks glass filled with ice. 2. Garnish and stir with a candy cane.
Poinsettia
La Vie En Rouge
Champagne and cranberries, two holiday essentials combined in one elegant drink.
A beautiful crimson cocktail that brings out the colour of the season and a few of the favourite flavors.
* 1/2 oz Cointreau or triple sec
* 1 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
* Champagne
* 1 1/2 oz. fresh pressed cranberry juice (can substitute
* 3 oz cranberry juice 1. Chill all of the ingredients beforehand. 2. Pour the Cointreau and cranberry juice into a chilled Champagne flute. 3. Stir well. 4. Top with Champagne.
with bottled cranberry juice) * 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice * 1/2 oz. simple syrup * Fresh rosemary needles 1. In a tall mixing glass, muddle 10-12 rosemary needles lightly with simple syrup. 2. Add remaining ingredients then add ice and shake vigorously.
Christmas Jones This sweet highball drink begins with a blend of strawberries, pineapple and vodka and is topped with lemon-lime soda * 4 fresh strawberries * 1 part vodka * 2 tsp superfine sugar
3. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass with ice. 4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Grinch Named for Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday character. The red garnish is a symbol of the good heart that lies inside every Grinch.
* 5 oz pineapple juice * 7-Up * mint sprigs for garnish
* 2 oz Midori * 1/2 oz lemon juice * 1 tsp simple syrup
1. In a blender, whiz the vodka, strawberries, sugar and
* maraschino cherry for garnish
pineapple juice together. 2. Pour the mix equally into two highball glasses. 3. Top with 7-Up. 4. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. 2. Shake well. 3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
29
For the
Holidays
Great Reading
Thursday Night Pizza
Bottle Rocket Hearts
Father Knows Best
Anansi Press
By Dominic Garramone
By Zoe Whittall
By Lynda Sandoval
Emma Donoghue
In 1968, in beauti-
Cormorant Books
Soliloquy/Bold
Reedy Press
brings to bear all her
ful, remote coastal
knowledge and grasp
Labrador, a mysterious
to examine how desire
child is born: a baby
between women
who appears to be nei-
in English literature
ther fully boy nor girl,
has been portrayed,
but both at once. Only
from schoolgirls and
three people are privy
vampires to runaway
to the secret – the
wives, from cross-
baby’s parents, and
dressing knights to
a trusted neighbor
contemporary murder
named Thomasina.
stories. Donoghue
The adults make a
looks at the work of
difficult decision – to
those writers who
raise the child as a boy
have addressed the
named Wayne. But as
“unspeakable subject,”
Wayne grows to adult-
examining whether
hood within the hy-
such desire between
per-masculine hunting
women is freakish or
culture of his father,
omnipresent, holy or
he believes there is an-
evil, heartwarming
other self hidden in his
or ridiculous as she
body – a girl he thinks
excavates a long-
of as Annabel – who
obscured tradition of
is secretly nurtured by
(inseparable) friend-
the women in his life.
Inseparable
Annabel
By Emma Donoghue
By Kathleen Winter
Knopf
ship between women,
Welcome to Montreal
Strokes Books
From renowned chef,
in the months before
cookbook author
After a tumultu-
the 1995 referendum.
and TV personality
ous junior year,
Eve is pining to get out
comes a unique new
best friends Lila
of her parent’s house
cookbook, Thursday
Moreno, Meryl
in Dorval and find a
Night Pizza by Father
Morganstern, and
girl who wants to kiss
Dominic Garramone,
Caressa Thibodoux
her back. She meets
offering a variety of
plan to make the
Della - mysterious,
mouth-watering pizza
most of the summer
defiantly non-monog-
recipes with a little
before senior year. But
amous, an avid separa-
twist on the classic
those plans fall by the
tist and 10 years older.
family favourite. From
wayside when Lila’s
Their explosive begin-
traditional cheese piz-
archenemy, Jennifer
ning makes way for
zas, unusual pies like
Hamilton, finds herself
an even more volatile
the spicy Thai peanut
friendless and flail-
relationship that spans
chicken pizza to sweet
ing in a mess of her
the following two
dessert pizzas like the
own making. Meryl
years. On the night of
fig and papaya pie,
steps up to help…and
the 1995 referendum
Thursday Night Pizza
drags Lila and Caressa
politics and romance
is the perfect pizza
along with her. What
come to a head and
guide that will help
was supposed to be a
Eve’s naiveté begins
any cook ignite their
carefree few months
to fade. From naïve
passion for pizza.
morphs into a summer
teenager to hot shot
of girl power, growing
tough girl, Eve decides
up, and giving in to
her own fate.
situations beyond their
one that is surprisingly
control. In the end, all
central to our cultural
four girls are tighter
history.
than ever and one step closer to tackling their all-important senior year.
30 31
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
Secret Historian By Justin Spring Insomniac Press Drawn from the secret, never-beforeseen diaries, journals and sexual records of the novelist, poet and university professor Samuel Steward, Secret Historian is a sensational reconstruction of one of the more extraordinary hidden lives of the twentieth century. An intimate friend of Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas and Thornton Wilder, Steward maintained a secret sex life from childhood on and documented these in experiences in brilliantly vivid (and very often funny) details.
D&M Publishers
Date With A Sheesha – A Russell Quant Mystery
In 1942, a timid,
By Anthony Bidulka
inexperienced 21-year-
Insomniac Press
My Queer War By James Lord
old Lord reports to Atlantic City, N.J., to enlist in the U.S. Army. His career in the armed forces takes him to Nevada and California, to Boston, to England and eventually to France and Germany where he witnesses firsthand the ravages of total war on Europe’s land and on its people. Along the way, he also comes to terms with his own sexuality, experiences the thrill of first love and the chill of disillusionment with his fellow man. And in a moment of great rashness, he makes the acquaintance of the world’s most renowned artist, who will show him the way
When Nayan Gupta is stabbed to death while in the Middle East looking for antique carpets his distraught father wants revenge so he hires Russell Quant to catch the killer. In his greatest case to date, Quant goes undercover to match wits with a museum curator, shifty souk merchants and corrupt carpet experts, sorting friend from foe among a group of “fabulous” men he meets in an underground club. From the flamboyant glitz of Dubai to the scorching sand dunes of Saudi Arabia, quant risks his life as he wades further and further in the shadows
Official Book Club Selection
Red Rover
Handmade Love
By Kathy Griffin
By Liz Bugg
By Julie R. Enszer
Insomniac Press
A Midsummer Night’s Press
Ballentyne Books Official Book Club Selection is Kathy Griffin unplugged, uncensored, and unafraid to dish about what really happens on the road, away from the cameras, and at the star party after the show. (It’s also her big chance to score that coveted book club endorsement she’s always wanted. Are you there, Oprah? It’s me, Kathy.) Writing with her trademark wit, the feisty comic settles a few old scores, cel-
This fast-moving thriller follows Calli Barnow
In her first collection,
through the twists
Julie R. Enszer offers
and turns of Toronto’s
poems that are as
neighbourhoods, from
unabashedly erotic
run-down but friendly
as they are unabash-
Kensington Market to
edly feminist. Whether
the Church Street gay-
responding to queer
bourhood, through
cultural icons, fanta-
the ravines of Rosedale
sizing about sex, or
and Mount Pleasant’s
mourning illness and
mausoleums. Calli
loss, these poems are
is an engaging com-
sweet and sultry, fierce
panion, flawed but
and tender. From
determined, pursued
demonstrations on the
by her own demons as
streets to bedroom
she tries to find a miss-
romps, these smart
ing girl before more
and sexy poems inter-
trouble finds her.
weave narrative and lyrical moments with
ebrates the friends and
the political and the
mentors who helped
sensuous.
her claw her way to the top, and shares insider gossip about celebrity behavior–the good, the bad, and the very ugly.
cast by the desert sun.
to a new life.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
31
entertainment
Get into the holiday spirit with
by Barbara Abramchuk
Everyone loves feel-good theatre or a delightful
Blake. The stage musical of White Christmas pre-
musical. At least, that’s what the Royal Manitoba
miered in San Franciso in 2004 and has played a va-
Theatre Centre is banking on this holiday sea-
riety of venues in the United States and United King-
son with their production of Irving Berlin’s White
dom. The classic movie version from 1954 starred
Christmas The Musical.
Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.
MTC’s version of White Christmas, directed by
Expect great costumes and sets as usual from
Robb Patterson, tells the story of best buddies Bob
MTC’s set designer Michael Gianfrancesco and cos-
Wallace and Phil Davis - two Second World War vet-
tume designer Charlotte Dean.
erans who became Broadway Stars. During the war
If this delightful and cheery production can’t
years, Wallace and Davis performed holiday concerts
get you into the holiday spirit, then bah hum-
for the homesick troops. Ten years later, the song
bug.
and dance tandem makes it big, eventually perform-
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical
ing on Broadway and appearing on the Ed Sullivan
runs November 25 to December 18 at the
Show.
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and stars
The duo meets up with talented sisters Betty
Kyle Blair, Jennifer Lyon, Stephen Patter-
and Judy Hayes. Phil falls for Judy, but poor Bill ends
son, Kimberley Rampersad and Walter
up sparring with Betty. Watch for sparks and hilarity
Learning. See www.mtc.mb.ca for
to ensue.
details.
The artistic foursome teams up for some shows and travel by train to Vermont to perform at a winter Inn. To their surprise, there is no snow and hence not much of an audience for their shows. They team up to save the inn and possibly their careers. White Christmas is a large-scale musical production featuring the music and lyrics of Irving Berlin, who George Gershwin called the greatest songwriter who ever lived. Watch for many classic songs including Happy Holidays, Blue Skies and, of course, White Christmas. This stage adaptation is based on the Paramount Picture’s film and the book by Daniel Ives and Paul
32 33
outwords, december 2010 // www.outwords.ca
- Barbara Abramchuk is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca.
entertainment
Theatre Fit for a Queen
received a rare royal honour. has tre cen e atr The oba nit Ma n ow s eg’ Winnip Queen Elizabeth has designated it the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. RMTC joins the prestigious Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, which takes place in Brandon, in sharing the royal designation in Manitoba. The announcement of the royal designation was made at a reception
at the Manitoba Legislative Building by Premier Greg Selinger: ““On behalf of
Manitobans, I would like to congratulate the Manitoba Theatre Centre on being given a royal designation from Queen Elizabeth. The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is a mainstay in our province’s
cultural life, providing us with a rich and diverse array of theatre. It has solidifed its reputation for artistic excellence ad for being a well-managed organization with a commitment to balanced budgets” The honour is a testament to the
lasting legacy of the theatre, which is the oldest English speaking regional theatre
in Canada. RMTC was founded in 1958 by John Hirsch and Tom Hendry , who wanted to create high- quality profession
, al theatre with mass appeal. Since 1958 plays 500 than more ced RMTC has produ and its stage has been graced by the likes of Len Cariou, Martha Henr y, Judd
Keanu Reeves and Al Waxman - many of whom are stage legends in Canada. Currently, RMTC produces 10 plays per year on two stages, has more than
18,000 season ticket holders, takes to the road for a regional tour, and hosts The Master Playwrights Festival and the Wine nipeg Fringe Festival, which has becom the second largest in North America.
The new moniker -The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre - is a sign that RMTC has reached a level of prestige, and it may also be a great marketing tool. - Barbara Abramchuk
Hirsch, William Hurt, Seanna Mckenna,
www.outwords.ca // outwords, december 2010
33
GLBT Resource Directory SOCIAL SUPPORT Rainbow Resource Centre: Rainbow Resource Centre (RRC): 170 Scott St. Phone: 474.0212. E-mail: info@rainbowresoucecentre.org Web: rainbowresourcecentre.org. Counselling intake: 452.7508. Peer Support: 284.5208 or 1.888.399.0005. Dreamcatchers: Weekly therapeutic group for women and transgenders contemplating leaving the sex trade. Call 784-4065. Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre: Feminist organization. Information/counselling. 1150-A Waverley St. 477-1123, www.fgwrc.ca FTM Alliance of Winnipeg: Transgender/transsexual female-to-male issues. Meetings at the RRC, first Tues. of the month, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. gAy&E: Participate in the Winnipeg arts, cultural, and entertainment scene. E-mail tallbrat@mts. net. Gay Fathers of Winnipeg: E-mail gfow@mts.net. Web: gayfathersofwinnipeg.com. Goldenboys (Gay and Lesbian Volleyball League): Recreational league. Call Mike at 452-5780 or Mark at 774-2122. Keystone Rainbow Curling League (GLBT curling league). Web: keystonecurling.com L*ACE group: For women interested in the Winnipeg arts, cultural, and entertainment scene. E-mail lace_ace@hotmail.com. Web: acelace. spaces.live.com. Lambda: Business and Professional Association. P.O. Box 1575, Main Station, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2Z4. 204-944-0354. Web: lambdabiz.com Live and Let Live: Group of Alcoholics Anonymous. Wed. at 8 p.m. at Holy Names House of Peace, 211 Edmonton St. Masquerade: Crossdresser, transvestite, and transgender group. Web: masquerade.ca or call 452-1100. Men’s Resource Centre: 301-321 McDermot Ave. Counselling for men. Call 956-9528 or 1-866-MRC-EHCC (672-3433) in Manitoba, Web: elizabethhill.ca/mrc. Out There Sports & Recreation: GLBT sports and recreation events in Winnipeg Web: gaycanada. com/outthere. Parents, Friends & Family of Transgender Individuals: Meets at the Rainbow Resource Centre on the second Monday of every month, in the library at 7 p.m. Contact pffoTI@gmail.com
Prime Timers: Gay and bi men over 40 and admirers. E-mail ptpres@mts.net Web: primetimersww. org/winnipeg/ Rainbow Educators of Manitoba (REM): Meets once a month. Cindy at 837-6036 or Manny at 478-1402. Rainbow Harmony Project: GLTT chorus. Phone 477-6448, or Web: rainbowharmonyproject.ca/ Rainbow Pride Mosaic: GLBT resource centre at U of M, e-mail umrpm@umsu.ca . Web: umsu.ca/ rainbowpride. Sexuality Education Resource Centre: Resources and information. 555 Broadway, 982-7800. Facts of Life Line 947-9222 or 1-800-432-1957. The Snowy Owl Monarchist Society: Non-profit fundraising for organizations that enrich the GLBT community. Box 26053, 676 Portage Ave., R3G 0M4. Transgender Support Group: Meets third Friday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at the RRC. All welcome. Web: winnipegtransgendergroup.com University of Manitoba Peer Advisors: Room 150, University Centre. 474-6696. University of Winnipeg UWSA LGBT* Centre: 786-9025. E-mail lgbt@uwsa.ca, Web: theuwsa. ca/services-student-groups Winnipeg Lesbian and Gay Pride: Not-for-profit volunteer organization responsible for annual Pride Day and assists in community Pride Festival events. E-mail info@gaypridewinnipeg.com, Web: gaypridewinnipeg.com
SPIRITUALITY Anakhnu Jewish GLBT Group: A program of the Rady Jewish Community Centre. social and cultural programs. 477-7537, E-mail tbarr@aradyjcc. com. Dignity Winnipeg: GLBT Catholics and friends, meet every third Friday at Augustine United Church, 444 River Ave. at Osborne.Doors open 6 p.m. Call Thomas, 287-8583, or Sandra, 7796446. E-mail winnipeg@dignitycanada.org, Web: dignitycanada.org.
House of Hesed: Safe HIV/AIDS transition house. 772-4793, (fax) 783-0494, e-mail info@ HouseofHesed.ca. Web: HouseofHesed.ca. (Note: This organization may receive financing from an ex-gay ministry.) Kali Shiva AIDS Services: Non-medial support for people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. 646 Logan, Call 783-8565 or 774-0708, or e-mail kalishiv@mts.net. Nine Circles Community Health Centre: 705 Broadway. HIV primary-care services, 940-6000, 1-888-305-8647. Provincial AIDS/STI Information Line: 945-2437 or 1-800-782-2437, Mon.to Fri. from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sage House: Drop-in and outreach for streetinvolved women and transgenders living as women. 943-6379. Street Connections: Needle exchange, safer crack use kits, condoms, info and service connections. Call 981-0742.
Culture The Fantasia Affair: A cabaret exploring drag culture. E-mail thefantasiaaffair@gmail.com or visit Fantasia Affair group on Facebook. Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society Inc.: Phone 775-6457. E-mail reelpride@hotmail.com. Web: reelpride.org.
Brandon 7th Street Health Access Centre: Counselling and programming related to sexual health, addictions, and mental health. 20-7th St., 578-4800. PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Meets monthly. Call 727-0417.
Winnipeg Full Moon Group: A place for Wiccan and pagan-minded people of all genders and sexual orientations. Contact Laurie 287-2300 or Amanda eastpath@gmail.com
Sexuality Education Resource Centre: Counselling for GLBT community and family members. Community education/programming related to GLBT issues. GLBT Coffee House third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 161 8th Street. Call 727-0417. Web: www.serc.mb.ca
AFFIRMING Augustine United Church: 444 River Ave. at Osborne. 284-2250.
Peer Project for Youth (PPY) is a program that offers LGBTTQA* youth a safe, fun place to learn new skills, create projects and celebrate our identities. PPY meets weekly. Phone (204) 284-2799. E-mail: peerproject4youth@rainbowresourcecentre.org.
Temple Shalom: Reform Judaism. Web: templeshalomwinnipeg.ca
www.outwords.ca
LGBTT/Sexual & Gender Minorities: Workshops, Presentations, Seminars. The Rainbow Resource Centre provides education, awareness and outreach to assist health-care providers, educators (K-12 and post-secondary), students (K-12), social service and commercial service providers in addressing the issues faced by LGBTT people. Call 474-0212.
Rainbow Ministry (Outreach of the UnitedChurch): 302-G Weston St., Call 954-2904.
PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Call Helen at 474-2008, mail c/o the RRC or e-mail winnipegmb@pflagcanada.ca.
34 outwords, december 2010//
HEALTH & HIV/AIDS
Shaarey Zedek Synagogue: 561 Wellington Cres.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg (Liberal Religion): 603 Wellington Cres. 474-1261. Young United: 222 Furby St. Call 783-0128.
KENORA Kenora Lesbians Phone Line: 807-468-5801, Tues., 7 to 9 p.m.
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