queer views, news, issues
July frontpage headlines
the fiction of
Eric Plamondon
pride + the glory A father asks for
forgiveness It’s festival
season Outwords | July 2011 | Issue 183 | Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994
5 Can we
15 24 encounters What’s so
editorial
spotlight
trust Harper?
with Diggywanna
funny about a lesbian comic?
16 26 7 k.d. lang A Day In Hand Images from pride 2011
Manitoba news briefs
21 Encounter in
10 Gay-baiting
Montreal
in B.C.
The fiction of Eric plamondon
national news briefs
28 Black
13 Tectonic
shift in the U.S. foreign news briefs
brings her soulful voice to Folk Fest
62 resource
directory
is the coolest colour of summer
out from the closet
19
Do Something A father reaches ou
23
technology trap green
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
3
97
%
of Red River College graduates looking for work found jobs. With over 110 full-time programs, Red River College provides a wide range of hands-on training to prepare you for a successful career. Discover all of the degree, joint-degree, diploma, and certificate programs available at Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning. *Source: 2008/09 Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Report
www.rrc.ca
editorial
outwords
Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994 Issue 184 July 2011 Published by the outwords volunteer staff:
Can we trust Harper?
Rachel Morgan editor
Gord McDiarmid General manager
M. Buchanan
editorial rachel j. morgan
Shephen Harper has a problem. He
art director & layout
Would marriage commissionaires be allowed to refuse to marry gays if it were
Devin Frezzi
has promised to lead a government for
against their religion? Would medical pro-
General manager
all Canadians. That’s a comforting and
fessionals, educators, day-care centres, ho-
Barry Karlenzig
conciliatory promise from a prime minis-
tels or anyone who offers a service be able
ter with his first majority – but given the
to deny that service to gays on religious
diversity of opinions on everything from
grounds?
Financial officer
Terry Wiebe, Gord McDiarmid distribution Vic Hooper web manager
Charis Hernandez Office manager
Charles Melvin, Rachel Morgan, Corey Shefman, Michele Buchanan, Eric Plamondon, Nancy Renwick, Ralph Markham, Katrina Caudle, Peter Carlyle-Gordge, Alana Lajoie-O’Malley, Graeme Coleman, Jordan Rendall, Charlie McDougall contributors to this issue Charlie McDougall COVER PHOTO of Eric Plamondon
Maureen Pendergast Darron Field Helen Fallding Shayne Duguay Gord McDiarmid Gail Eckert Scott Carman board of directors
outwords
201-63 Albert St. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1G4 Phone: (204) 942-4599 For office hours, please call. General Inquiries: info@outwords.ca Editor: editor@outwords.ca Creative: creative@outwords.ca Advertising: advertise@outwords.ca Distribution: distribution@outwords.ca Accounts: billing@outwords.ca Event Submissions: calendar@outwords.ca Letters Submissions: letters@outwords.ca Website: www.outwords.ca Outwords provides news, analysis and entertainment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer community and its allies. GST 89671 7618RT, ISSN 17155606 (print) ISSN 1715-5614 (online) Canada Post Publication Licence 416 99032, Contents copyright © 2011 Outwords Alll rights reserved. Outwords is a member of the Manitoba Magazine Publishers’ Association. Articles are not necessarily the views of the staff, management, or board. We accept no liability for our advertisers’ claims.
gay rights to abortion in this country it
And what about the budget cuts
will be impossible to fulfill. The question
Harper is making to reduce the deficit?
for Harper is whether to try to appeal to
Federal departments have been told to
the majority of Canadians – who tend to
reduce spending by five to 10 per cent by
be fairly tolerant – or listen to the loudest
axing entire programs rather than making
voices in his party’s base – who tend to be
across-the-board cuts. They may target the
socially conservative.
low-hanging fruit – the myriad of programs
The answer to this question is vitally important to the GLBT community. The Conservative party and its predecessors have openly opposed gay rights. And despite Harper’s contention that he doesn’t want to
and grants established over the years to support minorities, including gays.
Harper doesn’t actually have to remove our rights for us to lose them. He just has to set the stage.
debate the issue any more, the party’s base may be expecting him to do exactly that. So, what do you do if you’re Harper
Why is that important when we already have equal rights? Because it’s expensive and time consuming to defend equal rights
and you are in power with the support of
all the way to the Supreme Court, which
less than 50 per cent of Canadians? The re-
may not see things our way the next time
ality is he doesn’t have to please everyone
gay rights are brought before it if Harper
to stay in power. Politics is often the art of
appoints enough socially conservative
placating rather than pleasing. That’s why
justices.
the gay community is vulnerable. Harper
Does this means we will see the clock
doesn’t actually have to remove our rights
turned back to the dark old days? No. We
for us to lose them. He just has to set the
can probably trust Harper when he says he
stage. How? By defending the rights of
doesn’t want to open old wounds. He is,
homophobes to act upon their opinions.
after all, pragmatic. But more importantly,
He has already taken one step in that
the gay community has tasted full equality.
direction by establishing the Office of Re-
If there is any sign that our rights are being
ligious Freedom. It was established to de-
eroded we will fight back. We fought for
fend religious minorities in other countries
equality before, we will fight to maintain it.
but what if it is given a mandate to protect
You can count on it. O
religious views in Canada – no matter how hateful.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
5
outwords queer views, news, issues
STAY ALERT PULL OVER. Please Yield the Right of Way to Emergency Vehicles A message from the John Petropolous Memorial Fund
6 7
outwords, july 2011 // www.outwords.ca
www.jpmf.ca/trafficsafety
manitoba news
Get Out There
pamphlet,” contact person Thomas Novak told Outwords. On May 17, Out There held its annual
AND GET ON THE ROSTER
meeting to exchange updates and gather
We all get the occasional urge to be more
information. Although the floor hockey
active, but it’s always so much easier to
and paintball groups have respectively
just reach for that bag of Red Hot Five-
retired their running shoes and paintball
Cheese Chilli Dog Doritos with extra pork
guns, other groups – including hiking,
enzymes.
badminton, volleyball and curling – are
If the time has finally come to shake
still in play. And there’s always room for
the cheese powder off your fingers, then
more. Thomas says “We welcome all or-
it’s time to check in with Out There Sports
ganizers of sports groups that want to be
and Recreation. The group doesn’t organ-
included in the Out There listings.” If you’re an interested organizer, simply consult the website and follow the instructions to add your activity to the Out
clients who might prefer meeting with a fellow member of the community. Eight years later, The RBC has been
There roster, find a venue, and advertise
named one of Canada’s Top 100 Em-
the activity through both the website and
ployers on a list compiled by Mediacorp
the Out There list serve. Current activity
Canada Inc. RBC earned the position for
co-ordinators are often willing to provide
several reasons, including its diversity
advice on getting started based on their own experience. So lick the sticky Doritos residue off
leadership council, diversity intranet site, and its PRIDE resource network for LGBT employees. Robb Ritchie, chairperson of an RBC
your fingers and
regional Employee Resource Group (ERG)
visit gaycanada.
told Outwords, “RBC has one of the larg-
com/outthere/.
est ERGs in the country, closing in on 300 employees who identify as either an ally
Business is Pinking Up ize activities; it’s a guide to explore your
or as LGBT.” Ritchie also mentions RBC’s support for the local LGBT community, including earning a $1,000 corporate grant for the Rainbow Resource Centre (RRC)
YOU CAN BANK ON IT
through an internal volunteer program
zations. Then it’s up to you to get out,
If there’s one bellwether that positive
the weekend to paint the “youth space” at
stay fit and have fun.
change is here to stay, it’s the fact that
the Rainbow Resource Centre.
local options for connecting with organi-
The umbrella organization was
national banks are reaching out to LGBT
where 12 employees came together on
RBC also recognized the “Day of Pink”
founded in 2002 by a dozen gay men and
employees and customers. After all, no
and sponsored a casual week at their re-
lesbians who felt that the queer commu-
major financial institution would risk their
gional contact centre that raised funds for
nity needed more options when it came to
assets by supporting an oft-targeted
anti-bullying programs at the RRC.
socializing. That dedication has persevered
minority. That risk hasn’t always paid off.
for almost a decade. “Almost miraculously,
In 2004, The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
which has been completely ‘pink-i-fied,’”
Out There continues to function without
gave in to a boycott by the Canadian
he told Outwords. That certainly packs a
any board, executive or any other struc-
Family Coalition (a Charles McVety joint)
larger visual wallop than a few rainbow
ture, apart from the generous volunteers
and reversed its decision to allow LGBT
stickers.
who co-ordinate individual activities, the
employees to place rainbow stickers on
webmaster and the editor of the annual
their workstations; a signal to potential
“Right now, I am sitting in that Centre
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
7
manitoba news
Hold Hands, Warm Heart
quietly brings a simple act of affection into
TEN FINGER REVOLUTION
to the Day in Hand website. The galleries
the light. Participants are encouraged to take photos and send them with their stories
Along with public hand holding, there were also signs and banners. Fiona says, “It was pretty exciting. We were all proud to be there.” When told about the RRC event,
are inspiring. Couples hold hands on The
David Watkins told Outwords, “I am al-
Great Wall of China, in front of pyramids,
ways blown away when I hear people have
on the streets of Danang, Vietnam. There’s
organised A Day In Hand event where they
even a photo of a young male couple mid-
are. It’s a movement that is growing!”
air on the rotating swing carnival ride at
Though Watkins has taken a brief hiatus
the Calgary Stampede fairway.
due to ill health, he expects to be up and
The Rainbow Resource Centre (RRC) holds its own A Day in Hand event on IDAHO. Fiona Jackson, programming co-
running again soon. “Events like this certainly motivate me,” he said. As for reactions from the public,
ordinator for the RRC’s Peer Project for
Fiona reports that many passing motorists
Youth, told Outwords that the number of
honked their horns as they drove by, a sure
participants numbered between 60 and
sign that more Winnipegers are not only
70, up from about 40 participants last
accepting public displays of same-sex af-
year. Couples walked together from the
fection, they’re also giving it a thumbs up.
RRC to Winnipeg’s infamous Confusion Corner where Osborne St., Pembina Highway and Corydon Ave. converge.
A Day in Hand has gained worldwide recognition since the campaign kicked off two years ago on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). It’s not a protest; it’s not an event – it’s a way to inspire people, regardless of sexual orientation, to hold hands in public with someone of the same sex. The campaign became so popular that founder Dave Watkins of London, England, was awarded the Sheila McKechnie Foundation Social Inclusion Award presented by former U.K. prime minister Gordon Brown. While A Day in Hand encourages en masse displays of hand holding on IDAHO, it also promotes Same Sex Hand Holding (SSHH) every day of the year. As the acronym implies, it’s a silent revolution that
8 9
outwords, july 2011 // www.outwords.ca
– Charles Melvin is a freelance writer based out of Toronto. You can read more at his website Quink.ca.
NATIONAL NEWS
I’m No Scientist
eration), Cummins jumped into provincial
with music performances and giant video
politics, extending a political career that
screens. The church also features a 500-
BUT I KNOW WHAT I HATE
first saw him elected as a Reform Party
seat cafeteria and a candy shop, because
Member in 1993, re-elected as a member
when Armageddon comes, you want to
of the Canadian Alliance in 1997, and then
be chewing on a mouth full of Gummy
as a Conservative in 2004.
Worms.
That’s right. He’s tried every flavour
In defence of policy 5.45, school
of right wing. I’m no scientist, but I think
board chair Larry Hayes told The Vancou-
every voter in B.C. wants to keep Cum-
ver Sun, “What we are trying to achieve is
mins employed long enough so he can
a change in attitude … so that all students
collect a big, fat MLA pension, too.
be treated with respect in schools.” It’s too bad that lesson can’t be taught to the
Burnaby Baby, Burn Victoria, B.C.—It’s hard to decide which possibility is more dire. A politician gets mileage out of pandering to homophobic voters, or a politician is so out-of-touch he actually believes the verbal turd blossoms that fall out of his mouth. John Cummins, age somewhere between 69 and Paleozoic, is the new leader of the B.C. Conservative Party. Proving that he’s not a sissy-boy Green, he made some gay-baiting remarks on a May 11 radio show. He later repeated the comments in front of a small crowd in Victoria, probably to reach the important “tin foil hat” demographic that is so afraid of radio transmissions. As reported by Times Colonist, Cummins said in reference to sexual orientation, “I’m not a scientist” but “some of the research tells me that there’s more of an indication that that’s a choice issue.” “I’m not a scientist?” Now there’s an understatement. What next? “I miss wearing my pantaloons and riding around on a penny-farthing?” Cummins was part of the pre-election Conservative housecleaning that also saw Stockwell Day and Chuck Strahl conveniently retire just before the election call. Rather than retire to his cave and enjoy his $1.33 million federal pension (as calculated by the Canadian Taxpayers Fed-
10 11
outwords, july 2011 // www.outwords.ca
fornicators who keep filling our schools, thanks to their lust-driven, sinful agenda to make babies.
DONT LURN OUR KIDS Burnaby, B.C.—When the Burnaby District School Board met in late April to discuss a draft of a proposed anti-homophobia
Once Upon a Time
policy already approved in 12 other B.C.
IN CALGAY, ALBERTA
school districts, a gaggle of “concerned”
Calgary, Alta.—Those Burnaby protestors
parents (uh-oh!) showed up at the board
should have been bussed to Calgary to
meeting to expose the secret international
listen to what the kids on the frontlines
homosexual agenda to make every school child gay. That’s only a slight exaggeration. The arguments against policy 5.45 included “Labelling” children as LGBT is dangerous, the policy promotes segregation, and, as reported in Burnaby Now, the policy would “create an environment of discrimination and intolerance.” Either these protestors were bussed in from Bizarro World or they get all their news about current affairs from a church newsletter. Going by the story in Xtra, it’s probably the latter. Most of the protestors were members of Willingdon Church, one of the largest mega-churches in B.C.; a growing trend of auditorium-sized faith holes that appeal to social conservatives. A story in the Vancouver Sun compared a service at Willingdon to a soft-rock concert, complete
NATIONAL NEWS
had to say, rather than listening to some
Goddard later defended his remarks
Armani-clad evangelical with a mouth
by saying “I’m a devout Roman Catholic.
full of Milk Duds. The organizers of Fairy
It’s not about hate at all.” Then, as some
Tales Film Festival, the second largest film
R.C.’s are wont to do, Goddard took the
festival in Calgary, created The Youth Anti-
“martyr defence” and claimed he was un-
Homophobia PSA Program. It was inspired
der attack from the “tolerant liberal left.”
by the It Gets Better Project, a collection
Pussy.
of videos in which out LGBT people and allies provide inspiring messages for youth
Note to N.B. Newbies
dealing with bullying and homophobia. Advertising Age named it one of the top social media campaigns of 2010. Fairy Tales Programming and Produc-
GAY’S OK
ing Director Jessica Dollard explained to Outwords, “[The PSA program] took It
Fredericton, N.B.—After Michael Connors
Gets Better one step further by empower-
came out at his previous workplace,
ing youth to create their own PSAs and
his employer transferred him to an
to use their voices to speak out against
inaccessible job site that left him no
homophobia in their own lives.” Youth in the program attended a series of workshops and mentorships where they learned to create, produce and edit their PSAs. It was free for participants thanks to festival donor The TELUS Community Board. And just like a fairy tale, this story has a happy ending. After Dollard wrote to sex columnist Dan Savage, founder of the It Gets Better Project, to thank him for the inspiration, Savage offered to come to the festival and show his support. He appeared on June 1 on a panel titled “It Gets Better”: Dan Savage & the Power of Community. And they all lived happily ever after.
as a bit of a jerk and an agitator on the ice – appeared in a PSA supporting the Marriage Equality Act that would legalize same-sex marriage in the State of New York. On Monday, May 9, Todd Reynolds, a hockey agent based in Burlington, Ont., got all up in a Twitter and tweeted: “Very sad to read Sean Avery’s misguided support of same-gender ‘marriage’. Legal or not, it will always be wrong.” While we’re impressed by Reynolds economical use of Twitter’s 140 character limit, we’ll one up him with a 17 character response: “Go Puck Yourself!” Reynolds caught flack in the press for his bigotry. Then, like a row of falling
Jocko Homo TWITS A-TWEETERING
“dumb”-inoes, Rogers Sportsnet broadcaster Damian Goddard Tweeted: “I completely and whole-heartedly support Todd Reynolds and his support for the tra-
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Here’s a controversy
ditional and TRUE meaning of marriage.”
taken right out of the playbook. Someone
The next day Rogers Sportsnet announced
gets on social media, thinks they’re a VIP,
that Goddard was let go, not for tweet-
plays fast and loose with his opinions
related reason, not for using all caps to
and a penalty call puts him in the box.
emphasize a word, but because he “was
Here’s the play-by-play. New York Ranger
not the right fit” for the organization.
option but to quit. Today, Connors works as a community college custodian and he’s chairman of CUPE’s New Brunswick equality committee. Moved by the gay teen suicides that made headlines in the U.S. in late 2010, Connors organized a rally on the grounds of the N.B. legislature on the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). His mission was to provide a public presence that would assure N.B. teens that being gay is OK – kind of like the It Gets Better project on YouTube, only with fresh air and depth perception. As reported in The Daily Gleaner, about 15 supporters attended despite the dismal weather. Connors plans to return to the legislature on the same day every year. To show how far Connors has come, his employer even allowed him the day off to organize and attend the rally. Here’s hoping we see the day when IDAHO becomes a national holiday. – Charles Melvin is a freelance writer based out of Toronto. You can read more at his website Quink.ca.
Sean Avery – a hockey player known
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
11
outwords queer views, news, issues
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! OutWords Magazine wishes to thank the following people, businesses and organizations for their contribution of prizes to our Bringing You Back To Miss Purdy’s Of Old Fundraiser on May 27th.
read Outwords as it appears in print on your computer or mobile device New “Flip” View available online www.outwords.ca 12 13
outwords, july 2011 // www.outwords.ca
IMAX, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Exchange District BIZ, Marriagi’s Theme Suite Hotel, Cake-Ology, The Haberdashery, Provici Cosmetics, Into the Music, Winnipeg Film group, Moi Boutique, Manitoba Liquor Marts, River/Osborne Starbucks, Assinaboine Credit Union and City of Winnipeg Councillor Jenny Gerbasi
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
New York State OK’s gay marriage
Gay German footballers a no-no
ALBANY, NY — The parties went long into
MUNICH, Germany–Philipp Lahm,
the night when New York State legalized
the German football captain, has said
same-sex marriage by a vote of 33-29 in
homosexual players should keep their
late June. Four members of the Republi-
sexuality secret because they might
can majority joined all but one Democrat
be verbally abused. Lahm, a star with
in the Senate in supporting the measure.
club Bayern Munich said it would be
Senator Mark J. Grisanti, a Republican
“very difficult” for a footballer to be
from Buffalo who had sought office prom-
“openly gay.” However, Lahm, 27, and
ising to oppose same-sex marriage, told
married last year, insisted he would be
his colleagues he had agonized for months
comfortable if any of his teammates were
before concluding he had been wrong. “I
gay. His comments will fuel the debate
cannot deny a person, a human being, a
about homophobia in the game and
taxpayer, a worker, the people of my dis-
could lead to sanctions against him by
trict and across this state, the State of New
the German Football Federation, the DFB,
York, and those people who make this the
which is working to combat prejudice in
great state that it is the same rights that I
the game.
spokesman said Rousseff was unhappy with
Double murder in Texas
‘an objective picture of homosexuality’.
have with my wife,” Grisanti said.
Lesbian refuses to go straight
Brazilians nix sex ed BRASILIA, Brazi–President Dilma Rousseff has suspended the distribution and production of sex education films for schools in Brazil. The education packs contain gay and lesbian video scenes and are supposed to combat homophobia. Evangelical church groups and their allies in congress threatened to block any upcoming legislation unless the films were ditched. A government the footage and believed it did not offer Several members of Brazil’s chamber of deputies with strong evangelic Christian beliefs said the sex education packs encouraged homosexual behaviour.
ATLANTA, Georgia–A lesbian is suing
UN gay milestone
a sheriff’s department after it allegedly paid $600 for two evangelicals to turn her straight. Amanda Booker claims
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND–The United
officials in Bartow County Sheriff’s
Nations has adopted its first resolution
Department in Georgia forced her to
in support of LGBT human rights.
attend gay conversion therapy instead
U.S. President Barack Obama called
of taking her to a drug
it “a significant milestone in the long
rehabilitation centre. She claims police violated
AUSTIN, Texas–A Texas man who was
her constitutional rights,
upset at his daughter’s lesbian relationship
leaving her traumatized,
killed her girlfriend and the girl’s mother,
after her family asked
police say. Jose Alfonso Aviles, 45, is
police to commit her to
accused of shooting Norma Hurtado,
a psychiatric hospital for
24, and her mother, Maria Hurtado, 57,
a drug addiction. Instead
at their Austin home. His 18-year-old
she was transferred into
daughter, who was in a relationship with
the care of two self-styled evangelical
Norma, has not been named. The Austin
Christians and her lawyers claim officials
American Statesman said the relationship
paid the couple $600 out of public funds
caused a feud between the two families.
to convert her sexuality.
Mr Aviles has been charged with capital murder. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to charge him with a hate crime.
struggle for equality, and the beginning of a universal recognition that LGBT persons are endowed with the same inalienable rights – and entitled to the same protections – as all human beings.” The resolution says, in part: “The Human Rights Council ... express[es] grave concern at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.” – Peter Carlyle-Gordge is a Winnipegbased freelance writer.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
13
Urban
Harvest
Landless Farmers Collective
Dedication, heart and some seed funding from Assiniboine Credit Union. That’s what it took to launch a successful urban farming business. The Landless Farmers Collective grows over 50 varieties of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers, which are delivered to local customers for a healthy addition to the local economy.
With our Sustainable Community Grants, we support community enterprises to start up and develop. Together we’re making good things happen, one idea at a time.
assiniboine.mb.ca (1-877) 958-8588
Ryan Rawluk Certified General Accountant PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
738 Osborne Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2C2 (204)414-9026 ryan@rawlukcga.ca
Small Business Consulting Financial Statement Preparation Tax Return Preparation www.rawluckcga.ca
Desperately Seeking Debra Woes of a DiGiovanni Wannabe Spotlight CHARLES MELVIN
I just wanted a wisecracking gal pal. Instead, I exposed myself as a loser
It hurts to profess your
that everyone won’t judge me, and failing.
love for someone only
Thank you for asking. P.S. Please come to
list of comments trailing down my hubby’s
Now here I was, looking at the long
to hear nothing return
my house. I have melba toasts and fancy
computer screen like the exposed vertebral
but the sound of crick-
jams.”
column of a small, dead mammal rotting
ets. It’s humiliating to
on the forest floor.
have that one-sided
This was followed
declaration play out in
by the clammy realiza-
front of an audience
tion that every one of
of thousands.
Debra’s and my Face-
A few months
book “friends” would
ago, my partner and I
have seen my naked
were in bed surfing the net on our laptops
attempts to impress a
when he said, “You sure make a lot of com-
celebrity through social
ments on this Debra Diggywanna Site.”
media, and failing.
He was frowning down at his long-
I just wanted a
neglected Facebook page. I’m one of his
wisecracking gal pal.
meagre 12 Facebook “friends” and he
Instead, I exposed
receives updates on all of my Facebook ac-
myself as a loser who,
tivity. I looked over at his screen and saw a
had I lived 200 years
very long list of the comments I had left on Debra DiGiovanni’s Facebook page. Debra is a comedian whose stage persona is a self-deprecating gal with spinsterlike tendencies and an unhealthy infatua-
Debra is a comedian whose stage persona is a self-deprecating gal with spinster-like tendencies…
ago, would be the suspicious hermit who lives alone in a cabin in the woods until angry
The next day she responded with a
villagers accused me of causing a bad har-
tion with age-inappropriate boy pop stars.
personal Facebook message: “Fancy Jams?
vest or the birth of a two-headed calf and
She’s a regular on MuchMusic’s Video On
I’ll be right over! ;)”
burned me at the stake.
Trial, a TV show where comedians mock
I was alight! “She really gets me,” I
music videos. It’s the same style of Juvena-
thought. Surely the winky emoticon was
lian satire as Comedy Channel’s The Soup
her invitation to continue the dance.
and Mystery Science Theatre 3000.
I posted more comments. I went back
I immediately changed my Facebook settings. Just as the trauma of my self-inflicted belittlement was fading, I received a
to her old status updates and added com-
notification that someone “liked” an old
comedy shows led me to Debra’s Face-
ments to those. I whipped off observations,
comment I left on Debra’s Facebook. It’s
book. In admiration of the seemingly ef-
puns and pop culture references. I would
a small thing, I know that. But for a few
fortless humour of her status updates, I left
beguile her with my humour. At long last I
seconds the distant flames through the
a comment to her post “What is everybody
would have my Rhoda. (If you don’t get the
window of my cabin in the woods looked
up to this weekend?” followed by details of
reference, go play in traffic, kid.)
more like a welcoming bonfire and less like
An online search for Toronto-based
her upcoming comedy show. I responded in the persona of a fellow
Days passed. A couple of my com-
a pyre.
ments were “liked” by Debra’s thousands
social misfit: “This weekend? The same
of other fans, but there were no more
thing I do every weekend; trying to con-
personal messages from Debra. I stopped
vince myself that I can leave my house and
trying.
– Charles Melvin is a freelance writer in Toronto. He “gets” Rupert Pupkin.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
15
pride
2011
DO SOMETHING A Father Asks For Forgiveness by Ralph Markham
February 25, 2011, at the Starbucks, Castro District, San Francisco
I was made a coward, weak and unable
listen? Do I discuss practical matters? These
to direct my young ward to a correct and
are new uncharted waters for me. I just be,
proper path. Who are we to choose your
be with you, and then leave. I wonder, did I
at errors in parentage. When you needed
path, I thought. Who are we to make your
“Do Something,” did I make a difference?
your father most I let you down. In my confu-
decisions? You are a man, a man with all the
sion I took a position, a popular position.
responsibilities joined to that title.
My heart. It breaks at errors in judgment,
“Do Something!” pulled me from my
I was a man, made impotent in the eyes
“Do Something!” And we depart, our dignities intact, on a journey of healing. We turn our outlook to our futures. We share
afternoon slumber. “Do Something!” meant
of “Do Something,” yet suddenly made
relationship. We share dreams. We share sor-
action and this order was only used to meter
whole and proud of my life, my blood. My
row. We share family. We share brotherhood.
out physical intervention.
son set out to “Do Something!”
We share manhood.
I made a decision. A decision to “Do Something!” And I did the wrong something. You had made a decision. Young men of all ages make life decisions, you had made yours. “Do Something!” And I blocked your way, your passage from your home. “Do Something!” And I restrained you, a desperate act to stop what I believed would be a
“Do Something,” your former partner compels me. Your son, he is hurting, he needs you.
A call of despair, my son is hurting. Years
Your life will be better scott-free. You are proud and assured, surrounded by family of love. I again release you, without restraint,
without explanation, without understanding.
and with confidence, my boy a man, my son,
“Do Something,” your former partner compels me. Your son, he is hurting, he
I was jolted to reality, your release assured,
needs you. A last act of dignity from a waning
knowing errors would be made, and lives
love. He cared enough for this act.
“Do Something!”I was once again com-
future.
of taking your path with your partner vanish
“DAD, let me live my life.” “Do Something!”
would be lived.
the Castro reaffirms a step
you inspire confidence, you hearten my own
terms.
wrenching cry I have ever experienced.
is clear. Your pilgrimage to
Life has changed. My impotence turned
my arms were around you, a last desperate
“DAD” you cried. The most heart-
is understood. Your path
in your foundation. You “Do Something,”
to dignity, a chance to take charge on my
your family.
your life’s plan. Your stock
Forgive me, son!
brash act, a mistake. “Do Something!” And hug, a last attempt to keep you with me, with
“Do Something!” And you have. You lay down
“Do Something!” I come to you, to be with you, once a feeling of impotence. This
pelled. I did something. I stepped aside, open-
boy of mine, this man, has grown. He is in
ing your door to the next stage in your life.
sorrow, he is in pain. Do I hold him, or simply
my family, my friend. I am proud of you, son. – This is a true story, covering a period of nearly six years and really was written in a Starbucks in the Castro District in San Francisco. Ralph Markham and his son have reconciled.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, may - june 2011
19
Ad uL t
e
$10.00 OFF vALid on ALL reguLAr PriCed MerChAndise No other coupoNs or discouNts allowed • MiniMuM purchase $65.00 before taxes
Lo
www.LovenestonLine.CoM
ti o
ns
172 st Anne’s roAd 254-0422 1341 MAin street 589-4141 3737 PortAge Avenue 837-6475
veLty gifts no
Ling er i
Corse tt es
ys o t
MondAy – thursdAy 10 – 8 fridAys 10 – 9 sAturdAys 10 – 6 extended hours deCeMber And februAry
Where Winnipeg Men Cruise Free Full-Access With This Code: OUTW
www.squirt.org Winnipeg Cruising Listings • Live Webcam IM & Group Cam Chat • Winnipeg Profiles XXX Pics & Member Videos • Try Squirt Mobile!
I’m here because my boss was invited, and De facto I am asked to accompany. This is well established. People know I’m not here for my own interest. My physical attributes tip them off. I don’t have short grey hair, I don’t own a dark blue suit with various power ties, nor am I overweight due to the conference circuit. In comparison I stick out. The look is young, sports jacket, no tie, long hair, goatee, French name. People don’t know my background, but they do know it’s not the same as theirs. They don’t ask, and I don’t offer. As a result, I remain distantly interesting. I become noticeable, but not engageable; noteworthy, but forgettable. Planes leave this city at noon and six on weekdays; business travel schedule. I’m not booked on either flight. There is something good in being in the place, the room, when others are no longer here doing their conference schtick. Rooms look different, or more accurately are seen differently depending on how they are filled. In parallel, you look different standing in this same room, in the absence of how it was configured to serve the purposes of the traveling business circuit (or is that circus).
Story about me, story about you Fiction by Eric Plamondon
I am in town for a conference, the kind where you are asked to wear a tie and premade name tag with accompanying lanyard sponsored by an oddlynamed regionally-important company. To be hon-
Conference over, people on planes, and I have my jeans on, so I leave the hotel. No cab please. There are people in the streets, lots of people. I walk amongst them, but I am not one of them. Enclosed room, or open sky, this doesn’t determine belonging. In half a block’s worth of walking, I conclude I am amidst an arts event, a doors open arts district. For this reason, I am not noticed here. My presence is lost in the urban canvas mixing medias: buildings, people, trees, etc. I am one of the people here, and then there, but from nowhere. In a walking art show, I wonder if beauty is
est, I don’t even know what the conference is about,
perceived, or commanded. The stimuli are
and I’m sure I don’t want to know.
abundant. With such a vast palette, a new element neither adds, nor distracts from the whole of what has materialized. The scene has a flow, is far from static art. In motion, or in walking, it’s hard to notice the unnoticeable. But one is compelled to take note of the noticeable. After all, who wants to walk into a pole?
PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION BY M. BUCHANAN
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
21
up, no-bullshit kind of girl. She may
ups, what’s his? Is it the mole on the
point, I walk into a restaurant. Busy
In need of a different vantage
be older than me. She’s shorter, but
side of his mouth; it has the poten-
night in a normally non-busy busi-
not by much.
tial of being enduring or annoying.
ness. My sitting down goes unno-
It’s defining, it’s noticeable, but in
ticed. Alone at a table, book in hand,
possible that once clients leave the
which way, or with what interpreta-
I read five pages before someone calls
restaurant, this setting is one of for-
tion? Maybe I was wrong about the
out “sir”. Funny how with a tie, no
nication, to fuck one another. They
frequent sex sessions after closing.
one calls me “sir”, now without one,
would not be lovers. It’s the kind of
Maybe closing down means that he
I become what I temporarily allowed
primal fuck that emanates from cir-
goes home , walking, beer in hand.
myself to step out of. “Have you
cumstance, from being the only two
Once home the beer is replaced with
been served?”, I hear. Odd question
people who work here. It’s primal
his slightly crooked dick. He beats off
coming from the only server in the
but not passionate. It’s from noticing
thinking of the people he’s served
place, but it’s as good an opener as
sex in another person after count-
only moments ago but could not
any other generic start to a generic
less hours of being in the same room
interact with for more than the time
relationship.
as them; sex as an element of being
it takes to place an order or make
human. Not the result of a drawn-
a cash transaction. After he quickly
hair under a hat; not a cap. Definitely
out desire, a sensational lust or sense
relieves himself, does he look at his
slender, but not gawky. Same height,
of accomplishment. This is not how
limp dick and propel himself in a
He’s younger than me. Short
What stops me from being this guy? What stops me from sharing this reality, his reality? I am not him. But do I have a version of him in me?
mental state filled with all the per-
I think. Style is convened through the
these two would interact when the
able, you are at least noteworthy for
ensemble but it’s not unique. It’s not
rest of us have paid our bills and wan-
those who happen to have noticed?
pop culture, it’s subculture trendy,
dered elsewhere, leaving the room to
hipster established. The kind of look
be different and for those still within
capture his existence, my existence.
that makes it normal and expected
it to see it differently.
But I can’t help wonder if he has
that your chest tattoos show slightly
I don’t know any of this to be
ceived inadequacies one can invoke about oneself; the type that leaves you yearning for someone else’s shoes so that if you are not notice-
It is possible that these scenarios
grown comfortable with who he is
on the skin visible from the V-neck
true, as a whole or in any of its parts.
and what that means. The controlled
and short sleeve undershirt dressed
This is not my story, he is definitely
body image (tattoos, and hat) and
up by a grey vest. These are not tat-
not me. None of this is my environ-
the uncontrolled body image (moles,
toos that belong to a biker. It’s not a
ment, my circumstance, my reality. In
and smile).
statement, nor an act of defiance. It’s
all fairness, it might not be his either,
the potential result of an artist friend
but it could be. His is another reality
The fact is, there is a guy sitting at
who provides affordable body art to
than mine. His is the reality of others,
one of the tables of this restaurant
one who enjoys the idea of his body
the circumstances of others, the life
writing about another guy there for
being used as a canvas.
that is not mine, or ours, but could
a different reason, doing something
have been, could still be.
different. How are either of them
He’s gentle in his questioning and approach with me, with others.
What stops me from being this
In the end, what does it change?
memorable, mesmerizing the other?
The type who crouches down to talk
guy? What stops me from sharing
To him, I am a customer, similar to
and instinctively smiles out of the
this reality, his reality? I am not him.
many others (but not necessarily like
corner of his mouth while speaking to
But do I have a version of him in me?
the others), to which circumstance
you, to others.
Could I walk a mile in his shoes and
has provided a brief interaction. For
would I like it enough to travel a sec-
now, our differences resulted in me
ond, a third and fourth mile?
writing this story, and he gently serv-
We are not alone. He is not alone. A blonde also works here. She is not like him, or maybe she is. But
22
They will be alone. It is very
I yearn for someone else’s shoes,
ing an older, wealthier couple.
the style is different, if one can even
but what guarantees that behind the
speak of style. Think crimped up, or
gentle smile, there is not a reality
– Eric Plamondon is a Winnipeg-based
frizzled up. Think strawberry blond,
that is much worse than mine? If it’s
writer
pink shirt, pants too high, no-make-
true that everyone has certain hang-
outwords, july 2011 // www.outwords.ca
green
EcoFreaks
Alana LajoieO’Malley
yeah, I admit to joining the eco-freaks for the odd foray into the astral dimension of mythical endless natural resources
They’re endearing, re-
from
ally, those eco-freaks.
getting
You know the type.
frost bitten
Often seen on a patio
in our beds on cold
sipping cocktails on
December nights.
a Saturday afternoon
I recently read
in July, personal
on the Province of
electronic devices in
Alberta’s web-
one hand, the latest
site that Alberta
copy of the Report
produces enough
on Business in the
natural gas per
other, intent on keep-
year to heat
Don’t get me wrong. I wish we could all be eco-freak idealists all the time. But there’s a provincial election coming soon, and it seems to me that the responsible thing for us
ing up on the latest eco(nomic) news so that they can protect their families and communities from any-
Can economic progress solve environmental challenges?
one threatening to bring their Americandream style reveries down to earth. Me? Much as I appreciate the allure of
every home in Alberta for 30 years. Their website also tells me that right now they
the dream, I have this nagging feeling that
export about 75 per cent of their gas to
it is time for us to be a bit more pragmatic
other Canadian provinces and to the US.
and materialistic than that. I mean yeah, I
That’s a bit worrisome to the pragmatic
admit to joining the eco-freaks for the odd
materialist in me. I plan on living for more
foray into the astral dimension of mythical
than 30 more years, so I can’t help but
‘endless natural resources and impeccable
wonder what is going to happen to me
guidance from the free market’, but for
when Alberta decides to keep more of its
the most part I try to keep things pretty
natural gas for itself?
straightforward: I need food. I need water.
I can only surmise that the eco-freak
I need a place to be protected from the
answer to this question is that ‘uncon-
elements. In my more mature moments, I
ventional’ natural gas sources are being
want to make sure that those basic mate-
developed – economically recoverable
rial needs are safe, and will be safe for the
coalbed methane and shale gas. The thing
foreseeable future.
is, though, that these resources appear to
And I guess that’s the thing that the
wreak havoc with a couple of those other
eco-freak in all of us doesn’t always re-
material necessities of life - water quality
member.
and agricultural food production. It would
Take, for example, the thing about
be really nice if we could ignore these
needing material shelter from the ele-
pesky observations, I know. But I don’t
ments. These days, most of us in Mani-
think that’s very pragmatic.
toba use natural gas from Alberta to keep
all to do is to ask our candidates questions like this one about the future of our energy supply. Because it seems to me that we’d all be better off if we elected some pragmatic materialists and left the eco-freaks on the sidelines. They’d be safe there, painting quaint, youthful pictures of endless economic growth based on infinite natural resource supplies. While they’re there, they’ll have time to get a bit more realistic about their proclamations and principles. They’ll stop being all pie-in-the sky, all idealistic, all abstract. Just give them time – they’ll grow out of it. It’s only a phase. In the meantime, it really is wonderful that they’re around to keep their eco-issues on the radar. I mean, someone’s gotta keep us imagining the impossible, right? – Alana Lajoie-O’Malley is the director of the Campus Sustainability Office at The University of Winnipeg.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
23
What’s so funny abut being a lesbian stand-up comic? Just ask Chantel Marcostica by Katrina Caudle
24
outwords, may - june 2011 // www.outwords.ca
“Being a comic is the most selfish job. You feel powerful on stage. It’s a high no drug can give you.” Have you heard the one about the
“It’s so funny being the only gay one.
guess that kind of bodes well for me. I
lesbian who walked onto a stage and
So OK, for this photo shoot, we’ll all
have kind of a minority card.”
everyone laughed at her – includ-
be in a Corvette and Taz will be the
ing herself? It’s no joke – or maybe
driver. We’ll be really sexy posing and
people laugh – and she loves to laugh
it is. That’s the wacky world of
I’m not the kind of girl that’s going
at herself. It’s the core of her being.
Chantel Marcostica – who just may
to be ‘Oh Taz’. I’m a lesbian. Can you
Even when she’s not trying to make
be Winnipeg’s only lesbian comic
please work with me? Can I be in the
others laugh she sometimes finds
performer and who lives for the mo-
Corvette with him or something?”
herself laughing at the situation she
ment when the audience cracks up at
Born and raised in Winnipeg,
Marcostica loves to make other
is in. “Everyone has that thing about
her jokes or her antics. “My passion is
Marostica has played the Canadian
themselves. Everyone has that ‘I’m
making people laugh,” says Marostica,
comedy scene since 2002. She started
very pretty’ or ‘I’ve got great boobs’.
who is performing in her second
doing improv at the age of 12 and
I’m very funny – that’s my gift. I’ll
Fringe show this summer, Tazzy’s
never looked back. In 2004, she
do anything to make myself laugh. I
Angels 2 – a spoof of Charlie’s Angels
decided to leave Winnipeg and team
work as Santa Claus at the mall. There
as seen through the eyes of stand-up
improv behind and moved to Mon-
was this little girl and she said ‘I know
comedians.
treal. There she honed her comedic
you’re a woman and that you’re not
skills at any venue that would give
Santa, but can you just ask him for a
of fest in 2010 and received great re-
her a stage. In 2006, she was the first
pony?’. Kids are the greatest.”
views. Big Daddy Taz and the women
female to perform in both the Just For
in that show (Mardostica, Rachel Som-
Laughs Comedy Battle and Just For
and in other cities has taught her
mer, Cara Lytwyn and Heather With-
Laughs Montreal Show.
what it takes to thrive on the com-
The first Tazzy’s Angels won best
erden) are back this year with a larger
Marcostica’s experience at home
Along with being one of the few
edy circuit and as part of a troupe or
cast. They’ve also booked a larger
female comics working in Winnipeg,
alone. Going alone has its challenges
venue – the Gas Station Theatre.
Marostica appears to be the only
but it also has advantages. “If I were
out queer comic in the city. That can
to do my own show, I’d mix it up with
on the scene and me and Taz have
sometimes be a lonely role when
sketch, stand-up, and video,” she
been doing comedy together since
other comics get together and talk
says. “Everybody’s going to get what
I started,” says Marcostica. “I didn’t
shop. “It’s just weird being on the
they want. In the city, it’s important
have a Fringe thing to do last year
scene in Winnipeg. I’m the only gay
to focus on getting stages. Being a
and I really love doing stand-up. So I
person on the scene, of girls and guys
comic is the most selfish job. You feel
signed up for it and Rachel, Heather,
that I know of. The boys all hang out
powerful on stage. It’s a high no drug
and Cara were basically the only other
together and the girls kind of chat and
can give you.”
girls on the scene so we all did a show
they intermix, but it’s an anomaly be-
This year’s Fringe Festival runs
together. That was Tazzy’s Angels.
ing the only one. Among six of us (in
from July 13-24. For more information,
This is Tazzy’s Angels 2 and Aisha Alfa
Tazzy’s Angels 2), being the only les-
visit www.winnipegfringe.com/home.
is joining us this year.”
bian is kind of weird for me. Because
aspx.
“There’s only a few female comics
Being the only lesbian in a spoof of a wiggle and jiggle TV show puts Marcostica in some odd situations.
in Montreal, there were four of us on the scene and we were all gay. But I
– Katrina Caudle is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
25
The delicious
diversity of Folk Fest by Katrina Caudle
From pirate ships to pyramids, festival camping is full of strange delights. Want to wear a sarong and nothing else for days? Go for it! Want to have a naked shower in front of total strangers? Absolutely! Glitter in the left-three-days-too-long portable toilets? Guilty as charged! Glow-inthe-dark gingerbread men bumming cigarettes with startlingly deep voices and scary neon frowns... Well, he was a bit questionable.
26 27
Folk Fest is like Christmas – everyone knows
has stories of friends and family who devot-
it’s coming, whether you celebrate it or not.
edly go year after year. Almost everyone
Smack dab in the middle of festival season
who has pitched a tent in Birds Hill Park for
between Jazz and Fringe, the Folk Festival
the multi-day festival has got lost wander-
has a culture of its own. It’s a time out of
ing from the campground to the festival
time, a week-long adventure in music, par-
ground following the primal sound of the
ties, and temporary communities. Everyone
drums.
outwords, july 2011 // www.outwords.ca
Learn to spin poi, weave feathers and coins in your hair – this is Folk Fest! Time to set aside all the rules that regulate your city life and let loose. This is Folk Fest, baby! With the bright colours, eccentric attire, and total refusal to follow social norms – Folk Fest is almost as queer as Pride! And
the openly queer duo will be playing Thursday night. Folk Fest brings a lot of amazing talent to this prairie province and while it’s important to see our queer
Winnipeg
Folk
Festival
Main stage lineup
selves reflected in
Wednesday, July 6
performers, to see
Melissa McClelland
the musicians we
The Jayhawks
identify with, we shouldn’t this year, from Ireland to
2011
in Winnipeg last year,
get too wrapped up in the bedroom hijinks
Blue Rodeo
Thursday, July 7
Oregon, musicians – gay and straight,
of the performers. As Sara puts it in a
between and beyond – are going to help
recent article with New Gay, “I don’t think
us celebrate.
you can make straight music or gay music.
Ordo Sakhna David
I’m just making music. My music does not
Wax Museum
have a sexuality. I have a sexuality.”
The Del McCoury Band with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
This year, we’ll be treated to the presence of beautiful icon k.d. lang
and the Siss Boom Bang band.
There’s a lot of wisdom in that state-
With a career that spans longer than this
ment. Music is music and it touches us
M. Ward
writer’s even been alive, it’s an honour and
no matter our identification. It’s easy for
Tegan and Sara
pleasure to share our holiday
marginalized communities to be even tougher judges than those that first tossed them out on the fringe. Sexuality and gender are aspects of an individual, not the whole. When
Toots and the Maytals
Saturday, July 9
culture of the festival
Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band
campground. This is Folk
Spiro Tinariwen
Fest, baby. Don’t nothing
Little Feat
matter.
a doubt, Lang and her soulful voice (and
For those interested in something a
k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang
playing on the stage
ambiguity and open
hearts as she graces us on the Friday night.
Sarah Jarosz
Lucinda Williams
or between the sheets
fantastic suits!) will leave a trail of broken
Dan Mangan
it comes to what’s
– we should embrace
with her. Without
Friday, July 8
– Katrina Caudle is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.
Caravan Palace
Sunday, July 10 Blackie & the Rodeo Kings
performance by Tegan and Sara. For
Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens
anyone who missed them when they were
Jeff Tweedy
little different, we will also be treated to a
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
27
out from the closet
The dark days of summer
Graeme Coleman
once the warm weather starts, we tend to default to bright colours
Have you ever torn apart your closet
appears very sharp and clean, which gives off a strong,
in search of a summer outfit only to
professional look. This is exactly why author and pub-
realize you can no longer get into,
lic relations powerhouse, Kelly Cutrone, who frequently
or even like, last year’s clothing? Are
appeared on MTV’s The Hills and The City, opts for an
you tired of the same old, coloured
all-black style and encourages all of her interns to do so.
T-shirt paired with plaid or board
You can never go wrong or offend someone in this stylish
shorts? If you answered yes, don’t
“New York” inspired trend.
worry, there’s a classic, yet refresh-
On the other hand, if you prefer to hit the streets
ing trend for the summer – all black.
with a more off-beat, unique look, our black-on-black
It’s easy to overlook black as an option for summer.
trend is perfect for this as well. Worn-out black boots,
Once the warm weather starts, we tend to default to
ripped black jeans, and a vintage T makes an ideal en-
bright colours. But just because it is sunny out, doesn’t
semble for hitting an event such as a rock show or just
mean you must be decked out in sunny colours. An all-
a night out on the town for those of you who love to
black outfit, from time to time, can stand out in a crowd
dress yourselves with an edge. All-black can work with
of pastels and create a fresh look.
any style.
The spring/summer menswear collections of many
To avoid getting stale, learn to experiment with a va-
top designers feature black this year. Designers such as
riety of fabrics and textures, as well as different shades of
Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Louis
black. Style is subjective, so don’t be afraid to be creative
Vuitton, Versace, and plenty more, feature many amaz-
with yours. It’s a great idea to throw in a bright-coloured
ing examples of how you can pull off a flawless all-black
accessory or shirt to once in a while. This is how you can
outfit. Our model Jordan’s outfit was specifically inspired
make the colour, as well as the black, really pop and com-
by a look found in Dolce and Gabbana’s summer collec-
plement each other. O
tion. His fitted shorts and polo can be inexpensive, but when put together, they can look very expensive and classy. This is an especially striking look if you are going on a date, to an interview, or to a business meeting. All black
Tip
Do you want to know our model’s secret to
his Summer glow? Before our the photo shoot, Jordan applied Vaseline Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Lotion so he could get that sun-kissed look. Ignite your natural glow with this lotion before you hit the beach or head out for the day, so you too can have luminescent skin.
28
outwords, july 2011 // www.outwords.ca
black is the new black Jordan’s outfit was inspired by a look created by Dolce and Gabbana
Model: Jordan Rendall fashion photo by Brett J-M,
www.outwords.ca // outwords, july 2011
29
GLBT Resource Directory SOCIAL SUPPORT Rainbow Resource Centre: Rainbow Resource Centre (RRC): 170 Scott St. Phone: 474.0212. E-mail: info@ rainbowresoucecentre.org Web: rainbowresourcecentre.org. Counselling intake: 452.7508. Peer Support: 284.5208 or 1.888.399.0005. Dreamcatchers: Weekly therapeutic group for women and transgenders contemplating leaving the sex trade. Call 784-4065. Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre: Feminist organization. Information/counselling. 1150-A Waverley St. 477-1123, www.fgwrc.ca 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 LEGIT - Canadian immigration information for same sex couples www.LEGIT.ca Lesbian Parents of Winnipeg: Monthly activities in the community for parents and kids to build connections and have fun. Find us on Facebook or e-mail jodiandrose@gmail.com Live and Let Live: Group of Alcoholics Anonymous. Wed. at 8 p.m. at Holy Names House of Peace, 211 Edmonton St. Masquerade: Crossdresser, transvestite, and transgender group. Web: masquerade.ca or call 4521100. Men’s Resource Centre: 301-321 McDermot Ave. Counselling for men. Call 956-9528 or 1-866-MRCEHCC (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 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. 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. 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 4776448, or Web: rainbowharmonyproject.ca/ Rainbow Link – free LGBT material for libraries and LGBT groups www.RainbowLink.ca Rainbow Pride Mosaic: GLBT resource centre at U of M, e-mail umrpm@umsu.ca . Web: umsu.ca/ rainbowpride.
30
outwords, july 2011 // www.outwords.ca
Rainbow Refugee Committee - information for LGBT refugee claimants info@rainbowrefugee.ca Sexuality Education Resource Centre: Resources and information. 200-226 Osborne St. North, R3C 1V4. www.serc.mb.ca 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: 7869025. 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, 779-6446. E-mail winnipeg@dignitycanada.org, Web: dignitycanada.org. Rainbow Ministry (Outreach of the UnitedChurch): 302-G Weston St., Call 954-2904. Winnipeg Full Moon Group: A place for Wiccan and pagan-minded people of all genders and sexual orientations. Contact Laurie 287-2300 or Amanda eastpath@gmail.com
AFFIRMING
Augustine United Church: 444 River Ave. at Osborne. 284-2250. Shaarey Zedek Synagogue: 561 Wellington Cres. Temple Shalom: Reform Judaism. Web: templeshalomwinnipeg.ca Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg (Liberal Religion): 603 Wellington Cres. 474-1261. Young United: 222 Furby St. Call 783-0128.
HEALTH & HIV/AIDS
LGBTT/Sexual & Gender Minorities: Workshops, Presentations, Seminars. The Rainbow Resource Centre provides education, awareness and outreach to assist health-care providers, educators (K-12 and post-secondary), students (K-12), social service and commercial service providers in addressing the issues faced by LGBTT people. Call 474-0212. House of Hesed: Safe HIV/AIDS transition house. 7724793, (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 street-involved women and transgenders living as women. 9436379. Street Connections: Needle exchange, safer crack use kits, condoms, info and service connections. Call 981-0742.
Culture
The Fantasia Affair: A cabaret exploring drag culture. E-mail thefantasiaaffair@gmail.com or visit Fantasia Affair group on Facebook. Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society Inc.: Phone 775-6457. E-mail reelpride@hotmail.com. Web: reelpride.org.
Brandon
7th Street Health Access Centre: Counselling and programming related to sexual health, addictions, and mental health. 20-7th St., 578-4800. PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Meets monthly. Call 727-0417. Sexuality Education Resource Centre: Counselling for GLBT community and family members. Community education/programming related to GLBT issues. GLBT Coffee House third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 161 8th Street. Call 727-0417. Web: www. serc.mb.ca
KENORA
Kenora Lesbians Phone Line: 807-468-5801, Tues., 7 to 9 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg (Liberal Religion): 603 Wellington Cres. 474-1261. Young United: 222 Furby St. Call 783-0128. 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. House of Hesed: Safe HIV/AIDS transition house. 7724793, (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 street-involved women and transgenders living as women. 9436379. Street Connections: Needle exchange, safer crack use kits, condoms, info and service connections. Call 981-0742. 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. 7th Street Health Access Centre: Counselling and programming related to sexual health, addictions, and mental health. 20-7th St., 578-4800. PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Meets monthly. Call 727-0417. Sexuality Education Resource Centre: Counselling for GLBT community and family members. Community education/programming related to GLBT issues. GLBT Coffee House third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 161 8th Street. Call 727-0417. Web: www. serc.mb.ca Kenora Lesbians Phone Line: 807-468-5801, Tues., 7 to 9 p.m.
YOUR BEST
PICKUP
LINE
204.947.6725 LOCAL CHAT. TRY IT FREE : code 3505
Purchase membership by phone:
1.900.451.2651 (75 min/$2495) Purchase memberships anonymously: Dominion News 262 Portage Ave.
Adonis Spa 1060 Main Street
www.cruiseline.ca Purchase time online now!
18+
50% off with our new member special. Call customer support for more info: 1.877.882.2005
FOR
{BEER}
YOU WON’T FIND
ANYWHERE ELSE Old Speckled Hen
Tsingtao
Holsten Festbock (GERMANY)
(CzECH REpubliC)
Smooth, full flavoured ale with fruity aromas.
Crisp lager with a slightly hoppy flavour and a sweet nutty taste.
Full bodied, dark beer. Aromatic and flavourful.
Classic eastern European lager. Smooth and malty.
(ENGlANd)
(CHiNA)
Czechvar
Follow us: www.twitter.com/liquormarts
Please drink responsibly - Moderation tastes so much better ®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission Actual items may not be exactly as shown. Not all items may be available at all Manitoba Liquor Marts.