outwords queer views, news, issues
Fighting homophobia in the classroom
Curtain rises on
Fun and theatre Kudos for Outgames season Karen Busby
Fashion Fall colours
Outwords | September 2011 | Issue 186 | Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994
Oct 12 - 30 / 2011
Nov 16 - Dec 4 / 2011
Jan 18 - Feb 5 / 2012
Feb 22 - Mar 11 / 2012
A COMEDY ABOUT GOING HOME AGAIN
HEArTBrEAkINGlY fUNNY
VISUAllY STUNNING DrAMA
H E A V E N l Y O f f-B r O A D w A Y M U S I C A l
SMArT & SHArP SATIrE
Don’t miss the latest comedy from one of Canada’s foremost gay playwrights about five characters gathering for their 30th high school reunion.
The story of a father and son and how a funny reconciliation happened on the way to getting even.
An intimate exploration of what it means to be passionate, alive and to follow one’s dreams.
Fans of boy bands everywhere will delight in the sinfully tuneful songs and sharp parody in this 2009 Fringe hit.
On the eve of his retirement, Professor Mann is summing up his life’s work and he’s got nothing. A comedy about charity and the meaning of a life well lived.
A TheATre CAlgAry produCTion
World Premiere
in AssoCiATion wiTh winnipeg sTudio TheATre
Mar 28 - Apr 15 / 2012
Your stories. Your Theatre. Live, in the heart of downtown.
5 plays for as little as $135 PTE TickET HOTliNE 942-5483 / www.PTE.Mb.cA
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2011/2012 SEASON PRAIRIE THEATRE EXCHANGE
%
of employed Red River College graduates find work in Manitoba. By far, most RRC graduates remain in Manitoba to contribute to the province’s prosperity, and to its social and cultural vitality. Red River College actively partners with local industry to keep curriculums current, conduct research and exceed the expectations of employers. It’s no wonder RRC grads are in high demand. *Source: 2008/09 Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Report
www.rrc.ca
5 Gay vs gay
22 26 Warm colours comedy
on campaign trail editorial
& sexy vibes out from the closet
23 Segovia
13 10 addicted to outgames
a touch of Spanish spice in winnipeg food
homophobia?
dark sarcasms in the classroom
24 6 Paris rejects Rainbow
gay marriage international news
8 Busby
Harmony Choir
launches 13th season
and tragedy
A new season at MTc
fun and games in vancouver
28 a rich
tapestry
PTE weaves theatre magic
inducted
into hall of fame national news
20 Educating
a green generation green planet
18
The high-tech cycle
technology
30
letters to the editor
isguided ta nning tip m I picked up the latest copy of Outwords the other day (July 2011) and I was rather troubled by one of your articles. After reading The Dark Days of Summer (p.28), I examined the “Tip”, showcasing Vaseline Deep Conditioning Coco Butter. With the incidence of melanoma and other types of skin cancer rising dramatically in our young population I found the advice, “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,” very disturbing and reminiscent of the 1970s “baby oil era”. Perhaps it’s just me, but I don’t find moles with irregular borders sexy even if you are wearing a Dolce and Gabbana inspired ensemble. I myself am only 26 and a survivor of malignant melanoma skin cancer, and for this reason, I do not hesitate to educate others about the importance of protecting yourself in the sun. In the future I would like to see a far more relevant article talking about the rise of skin cancer in young people and what we can do to defend against it because healthy, young looking skin never goes out of style. — Gillian Crawford, Winnipeg
204.985.9200 OUTNABOUTTRAVEL.COM 4 5
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
outwords
editorial
Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994 Issue 186 • september 2011
Published by the outwords volunteer staff:
Rachel Morgan editor
A new era for gay politicians
Gord McDiarmid General manager
M. Buchanan art director & layout
editorial rachel j. morgan
Devin Frezzi
Gay political candi-
cois had an openly gay leader – André
dates are becom-
Boisclair – from 2006 to 2007.
Advertising Relations Co-ordinator
ing commonplace in Canadian elections.
Barry Karlenzig
But it’s still unusual to see two openly gay
handful of openly gay MPs – Libby Davies,
candidates face off against each other. That
Svend Robinson, Bill Siksay for the NDP
will be the situation in the riding of Fort
and Scott Brison for the Liberals. In the
Rouge in Winnipeg on October 4 when
spring federal election, the NDP fielded 10
Manitobans choose a new provincial gov-
openly gay candidates. The Green Party
ernment.
had five. The Liberals had three. The Con-
Financial officer
Terry Wiebe, Gord McDiarmid distribution Vic Hooper web manager
Charis Hernandez Office manager
Rachel Morgan, Corey Shefman, Michele Buchanan, Katrina Caudle, Peter Carlyle-Gordge, Graeme Coleman, Shannon Vanraes, Rejean Brandt, Kenton Smith, Alana Lajoie-O’Malley contributors to this issue
Shannon Vanraes COVER PHOTO of Catherine Taylor
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.
The incumbent is Jennifer Howard, a
On the federal front, there have been a
servatives have had openly gay candidates
cabinet minister in the Selinger govern-
in the past but had none this time and
ment. Lawyer Paul Hesse will try to take it
have never had an openly gay MP.
for the Liberals. Both have a background
Most Canadians seem to welcome gay
in community activism. And both are
politicians. According to a 2007 Environics
well-liked and respected. Just to be clear,
survey, 75 per cent of Canadians agree or
…being gay is not an issue in this election. The Manitoba election will be fought on other issues.
strongly agree that gays and lesbians should be able to run for public office. That’s the highest ap-
being gay is not an issue in this election.
proval level of all countries in the Western
The Manitoba election will be fought on
Hemisphere.
other issues – health care, education, the economy, justice – as it should be. Winnipeggers are certainly accus-
How far ahead of other nations are we? Former Ontario provincial cabinet minister George Smitherman kissed his husband,
tomed to gay politicians. Another openly
Christopher Peloso, in front of the cameras
gay cabinet minister – Jim Rondeau, is
when he announced his campaign for
seeking re-election in October. He was first
Toronto’s mayor last year. For a while it
elected in 1999 and this will be his fourth
looked like there would have two gay can-
election. Glen Murray came out when he
didates when Murray toyed with the idea
was a city councillor in the ’90s. A majority
of returning to civic politics.
of Winnipeggers then voted to make him
So maybe it isn’t surprising that we
mayor in 1998 and again in 2002. Former
are seeing two gay candidates competing
CBC journalist and gay community activist
for the same job. It’s a sign of the times.
Kaj Hasselriis ran for mayor in 2006 and
Gays built their political cred fighting for
didn’t keep his sexuality a secret.
full equality. It’s only natural they should
Gays have joined political assemblies
want to continue fighting to create a better
across Canada but there has been one
society – for everyone. That means it will
known gay premier – Richard Hatfield,
be just a matter of time before two or more
although he stayed in the closet during his
gay candidates fight each other for the
entire time in office in New Brunswick from
right to represent other ridings. It’s only
1970 to 1987. In Quebec, the Parti Québé-
natural. O www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
5
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Australian PM opposes equality CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA—Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she opposes gay marriage because it goes against her upbringing. In an interview with Sky News she called herself a “cultural traditionalist” and said she had been brought up in “quite a conservative family”. There is a push for marriage equality in Australia and Gillard says her party will hold a conscience vote on the issue at this year’s annual conference.
Sarkozy’s government kills same-sex marriage
Homophobic Brit workers may win case
PARIS—The French parliament has re-
LONDON—The Trades Union Congress
jected a bill designed to give gay couples
says it is “deeply concerned” at the gov-
the right to marry. The bill was introduced
ernment’s Equality and Human Rights
by the opposition Socialist Party, but
Commission’s proposals to give homo-
President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservatives
phobic workers the right to avoid serving
opposed it. In January, France’s highest
gay people. The commission plans to
court ruled that laws banning gay mar-
intervene in four religious rights cases
riage don’t violate the constitution and
due to come before the European Court
any change would be up to parliament to
of Human Rights. One case involves a
decide. The bill was defeated 293-222. In
Christian registrar who refused to conduct
France, same-sex couples can form civil
civil partnerships. Another involves a sex
unions, but these unions don’t include in-
counsellor who refused to work with gay
heritance rights or joint custody of goods,
couples. The commission says compromis-
among other things. A January poll found
es could be made for such workers – such
58 per cent of respondents in France
as allowing marriage registrars to swap
believe gays should be able to marry, up
shifts to avoid dealing with GLBT civil
from 45 per cent five years ago.
partnerships.
INSIDE AND OUT: GLBTTQ health is affected by a number of issues.
What is Inside and OUT?
Recognizing and informing people of the effects of homophobia, heterosexism, heteronormativity and oppression is important to good health for many reasons. For instance, if our esteem or sense of self (mental and emotional health) is poor, we are less likely to take care of our bodies (physical health) and protect ourselves from STI.
A guide produced by www.getion.ca to share information about sexual health. This monthly print series is “Inside and Out” is about adapted from the booklet. creating a positive cycle of change:
Recognizing EXTERNAL INFLUENCES It’s not easy “out there”. Human rights for GLBTTQ people have come a long way in Canada. The reality is however – as many of us know from direct experience – homophobia, heterosexism, heteronormativity, oppression, and other expressions of hate, misunderstanding, and intolerance towards GLBTTQ people continues to happen.
www.getiton.ca, the GLBTT* Sexual Health Promotion Coalition website, promotes sexual health awareness to help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI).
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Obama signals end of DADT
U.S. study on penis size a puzzle
Ghana orders gay arrests
WASHINGTON—U.S. President Barack
WASHINGTON—The U.S. government has
ACCRA, GHANA—A minister in Ghana has
Obama has announced the ban on openly
come under fire for funding a study into
reportedly ordered
gay people serv-
how the size of a gay man’s penis size af-
the arrest of all
ing in the U.S.
fects his sex life. One focus was on wheth-
gays and lesbians
military is to end
er penis size results in the decision to be
in the country’s
on September
a ‘top’ or a ‘bottom’. The study by the
western region.
20. His certi-
National Institutes of Health found that
Paul Evans Aidoo,
fication of the
gay and bisexual men with a “below aver-
the minister for the
repeal of the
age” sized penis would assume a “bot-
region, has told the
“don’t ask, don’t
tom” sexual position, while those with an
Bureau of National
tell” (DADT) law
“above average” sized penis would gener-
Investigations and
comes seven
ally be a “top”. The study formed part of
other agencies to find gay people and
months after it
an $899,769 research grant. Data came
bring them before the courts. He has also
was overturned
from a survey of more than 1,000 gay and
called on landlords and tenants to inform
in the U.S.
bisexual men in New York City.
on those they believe to be gay. In Ghana,
Congress. The
homosexuality is still considered a moral
Pentagon had asked for time following the
aberration. The Constitution guarantees
repeal to prepare troops for the arrival of
the protection of human rights regardless
openly gay comrades.
of “race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender”, but does not mention sexuality.
GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH SERIES
Recognizing INTERNAL IMPACTS
We deserve to be healthy and there is something we can do! If we know that our health is impacted, we can increase our awareness about the issues, and strive to take better care of our sexual, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. We can build a healthy community to help manage the negative effects of external influences.
www.getiton.ca
Knowing the POSITIVE EFFECTS
Improving our sexual health, preventing sexually transmitted infections and strengthening our mental health benefits ourselves, our community and all of society. Positive connections, whether with family, friends, or other supportive people, are so important to our health!
Free condoms and lube are available at Nine Circles Community Health Centre and Rainbow Resource Centre.
&
INSIDE
INS & IDE
OU T
Claiming PERSONAL POWER
Request a full copy of “Inside and OUT” at coordinator@getiton.ca or download it from our website at
OUT
It affects us “in here”. Whether we outwardly express it or not, these attitudes affect how we feel about ourselves. It impacts us in so many ways: in our self-esteem, our relationships and our physical health, just to name a few. We may be less likely to access the healthcare in fear of judgment and/or hostility from others.
NATIONAL NEWS
Pride parade sexuality slammed VANCOUVER—A Kwantlen Polytechnic University professor sparked a controversy just days before Vancouver’s annual pride parade on August 31 when he called the event “vulgar” and said it should be banned. Prof. Shinder Purewal posted several notes to his Twitter account July 28, in which he talked about the “obscene sexuality at display in the parade.” The next day, Purewal told Vancouver media he has been a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage and his objection to the parade had nothing to do with gay rights. “Everyone who does not like
sexual display in downtown is not a hatemonger,” Purewal told one media outlet. “I have raised a reasonable question about one aspect of the parade. In a civilized society, let’s debate as civilized people.” Vancouver Pride Society president Ken Coolen said calling for the popular annual celebration to be banned and labeling it as vulgar crosses a line. “The comments do come across as being homophobic,” Coolen said. “If I was a student in one of his classes and I was struggling with my sexuality I would not feel comfortable being taught by him.” Coolen acknowleged the parade has “risqué” aspects, but said it’s nothing you wouldn’t see on television. “Pride is an opportunity for people to be proud of their authentic self,” Coolen said, adding that “in the past, even being gay or lesbian was considered vulgar. It’s all very subjective.” Purewal said he immigrated to Canada in 1979 and faced what he called “open racism in school and on streets.” He said he has openly argued in favour of gay marriage on radio and television.
FemFest promises powerful lineup WINNIPEG—The organizers of FemFest 2011: Staging Inspiration are promising a lineup that includes works that are moving, awe inspiring and emotional. FemFest runs at the Canwest Centre for Theatre and Film (at the University of Winnipeg, 400 Colony Street) from September 17-24. The festival will include fully staged plays, readings of new work in development and four touring shows from around the world. There will also be skill development workshops and cabarets featuring artists from multiple disciplines. The workshop of Jail Baby is billed as the compelling story about imprisoned women that will reveal the chilling reality of “the system”. On the lighter side, two new plays for young audience plays will be developed, TopDog by Janice Salkeld
Halifax Pride a haven HALIFAX—The 24th Halifax Pride Parade drew an estimated 60,000 people to the city’s downtown streets July 23 and although some fog rolled in spirits remained high. That was especially true for those who had come from rural areas to watch the 1,400 participants march along the streets. Mel Power travelled from Amherst to see her first Pride parade. She said gay people face discrimination in rural Nova Scotia and attitudes have a long way to go. ”I can honestly say that it’s not as open as, like if you were in a large centre.”
8
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
and Bear and Blue’s Adventures Through the Whispering Woods, with readings for children. This is the ninth annual theatre festival of plays by women for everyone. This year, Zena Edwards from London, England, will be the FemFest 2011 artist in residence. She is an award-winning poet and musician. Her piece, Travelling Light, is a combination of spoken word, poetry, visuals, song, movement and blogging. FemFest tickets are $10 for single shows with the full festival being available for a $50 festival pass.
NATIONAL NEWS
Busby inducted into hall of fame
Lutherans liberalize rules
VANCOUVER—Winnipeg law profes-
SASKATOON—At the national conven-
sor Karen Busby, alongside 11 other
tion in Saskatoon in July the Evangelical
Canadians, was inducted into the
Lutheran Church in Canada decided to
Canadian
allow ministers to perform same-sex bless-
lesbian, gay,
ings or marriages, according to the laws in
bisexual, trans-
their provinces, if they and their congre-
gender (LGBT)
gation choose to do so. The church is the
human rights
country’s largest Lutheran denomination
hall of fame on
with 152,500 members in 607 congrega-
July 30. The Q
tions. Local ministers and lay leaders will
Ball was held
attend a series of meetings across Canada
in Vancouver
in mid-September to discuss the implica-
and Canadian
tions of the move. Each congregation
Heritage
will be encouraged to make its policy
declaration and decisions about same-sex marriages. At the same convention delegates also agreed that sexual orientation does not disqualify a candidate for ministry. That rescinds a previous motion that did not allow practising homosexuals to be approved for ordination. – Compiled from regional and national news sources.
Minister James Moore was there to officially recognize the Q Hall of Fame as
Family-friendly Montreal
Canada’s national LGBT human rights hall of fame. Past inductees include former prime minister Pierre Trudeau and Olympian Mark Tewksbury. Busby is the director of the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Human Rights Research initiative. She was recognized for her advocacy over many years for the LGBT community. Busby has worked on laws related to sexuality and violence, including human rights laws affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified people. She was an active participant in law reform efforts directed at recognition of same-sex relationships and has worked on challenges to laws on bawdy houses, indecency, age of consent, and gender identity. She also appeared as counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada in the Little Sisters case about the discriminatory treatment of LGBT bookstores by Canada Customs. “The LGBT communities in Manitoba work well together,” Busby said. “It has been an honour to be one of the public figureheads.”
MONTREAL—This year’s gay pride parade August 14 attracted more than 160,000 people who turned out to watch 2,500 particiants travel the two kilometer route along René-Lévesque Boulevard from Guy Street to Sanguinet Street. The 19th annual Pride Parade was based on a futuristic theme — Odyssey 3011. The parade has expanded to a week-long festival called Célébrations de la Fierté Montréal, one of two major LGBT festivals held in the city each year. This year, organizers made efforts to change the festival’s image by making it more family-friendly. “The reason was to include the community, the show the world that gay is more than sex, drugs and parties. We’re all about families,” said festival organizer Jean-Sébastien Boudreault. For the first time, the festival held a kids day in the park bordering the gay village, and banned nudity during its events.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
9
outgames a huge success
More than 800 athletes participated in the second GLISA North American Outgames in Vancouver from July 25-31. The innovative weeklong event drew thousands of people to
10
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
an eclectic mix of sports, a human rights conference and celebrations of gay pride. Most participants were from North America, but the games attracted people from all over the world. The games kicked off with three teams of three athletes running flags from Whistler, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia to the Vancouver Art Gallery,
where a cauldron was lit for the opening ceremonies. The idea was to be visible and make everyone feel that they were part of the celebration, said John Boychuk, chairman of the board of the Vancouver 2011 Outgames. The city came to life with events that took place from Whistler (an ecochallenge featuring kayaking, cycling and running), to the Edgewater Casino (poker) to UBC (soccer). Tennis and
800 athletes participated in the second GLISA North American Outgames in Vancouver Badminton, dance Sport, Eco Challenge, Golf, Poker, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, 10km Run/4km Walk, 6K vertical challenge soccer were among the most popular sports. There were soccer teams from New York, San Francisco, Minnesota, Boston, Florida, San Diego and Japan. Some of the events, such as tennis and soccer, were highly competitive, with athletes competing for gold, silver and bronze medals. Others, like golf, were more laid back.
Naturally, being a GLBT extravaganza, the games included a diversity of events, including badminton, softball, ballroom dancing and poker with a $22,000 top prize. The games were also inclusive – non-GLBT folk were welcome to participate as “allies.” The closing party was held at the Plaza of Nations on July 30, with Ace of Base, Dragonette and Carole Pope headlining. The first
GLISA (Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association) North American Outgames were held in Calgary in 2007. The next ones will be in Denver in 2015. The North America OutGames is a scaled-down version of the World OutGames, first held in Montreal in 2006 and is described as an international celebration of sport for LGBT athletes. O
www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
11
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addicted to homophobia By Shannon Vanraes
For too many kids, it feels so good to be bad Tellis Buenviaje is in the minority — not because of her sexual orientation, but because she is an LGBTQ student who feels safe at her high school. >>
www.outwords.ca // outwords, august 2011
13
“Occasionally I would get insecure if peo-
Transphobia in Canadian Schools was re-
ple said something,” said the 16-year-old
leased this spring. The results of the survey
violent stuff, the incidents that make the
“Usually you only hear about the
Maples Collegiate student, “but I’ve got a
show that hearing homophobic comments
news. This shows us the day-to-day harass-
really great group of friends and I do feel
is a daily or weekly occurrence for 70 per
ment,” Busby says. She notes that, while
like my school is safe.” But while Tellis may
cent of Canadian GLBT students.
there is a need for strong legal safeguards,
The survey also found that 64 per
preventing violence begins in the class-
mune to verbal harassment. “A few people
cent of LGBTQ youth feel unsafe at school,
room, not the courtroom. “The horse is
might glare or someone yell out lezbo if
while 61 per cent of youth with LGBTQ
already out of the barn by the time you try
they see me holding hands,” the Grade 11
parents felt school was not a safe place for
using hard law,” she points out.
student says.
them to be. “Now that we know what the
feel safe at school, she hasn’t been im-
Now, a
problem is, and
Although Busby, who focuses on consititutional law,
The most that schools can’t significant thing is that say the problem it shows most doesn’t exist, we heterosexual can work on tailorstudents are ing solutions,” said distressed by Karen Busby, a law homophobia professor at the
heterosexuals conveniently achieve pleasure by exercising a dominant position to feel superior
Every Class In Every School: Egale Canada’s
toba and an Egalee board member when
that almost 10 per cent of LGBTQ students
Final Report on the First National Climate
the study was launched three years ago.
reported having heard homophobic com-
hearing homophobic comments is a daily or weekly occurrence for 70 per cent of Canadian students
national survey of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia has painted a picture of how common experiences like Tellis’s are.
University of Mani-
Survey on Homophobia, Biphobia and
equality law and human rights, believes progress is being made, she was dismayed by some of the survey’s findings, particularly
ments from their teachers on a daily or weekly basis. “I wish it did surprise me, but it doesn’t,” says Catherine Taylor, associate professor in the faculty of dducation and department of rhetoric at the University of Winnipeg and the study’s lead investigator. But despite these and other findings, Taylor sees reason for optimism in the survey’s results. “The single most significant thing is that it shows most heterosexual students are distressed by homophobia,” she says. “I was very, very happy to see that result.
lezz ie d she I heardyke
It shows there is the potential for untapped solidarity.” In fact, the survey shows that 58 per cent of heterosexual youth are troubled by homophobia in their schools. Taylor says this could be because heterosexual students are also harassed with homophobic barbs or because they may have LGBTQ friends or family members. Some students are simply empathetic and kind, and it’s also possible that many students find it
14 15
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
depressing to be part of a community that
that they are better than you.” Sinclair
continually abuses people who have done
hasn’t had many negative comments made
it’s often students themselves who speak
nothing to deserve it, she says.
to his face, but he does have a nagging
out and lead the way in combating LBGTQ
sense that comments are being made
bullying and harassment in their schools.
when he’s not around.
“They are very inventive at consciousness-
“Yes, homophobia and transphobia is very widespread. But even though the problem is very widespread, it may not be
For many LGBTQ youth, harassment
In spite of these numbers, Taylor said
raising. The more we allow that to happen,
that deep,” says Taylor. She uses author
goes beyond verbal attacks. The survey
the more courage it will give to other pos-
Sarah Schulman’s idea of a pleasure system
indicates 21 per cent of LGBTQ students
sible allies,” stressed Taylor.
to sum up the rationale behind the bully-
reported being physically harassed or as-
ing exposed by the survey; bullying not
saulted due to their sexual orientation,
it’s often students themselves who speak out and lead the way in combating LBGTQ bullying and harassment
based on an actual phobia, but on a system whereby heterosexuals conveniently achieve pleasure by exercising their dominate position to feel superior. Taylor notes schools have unsupervised envi-
the Western School Division board will likely examine its antibullying policy to ensure it properly includes sexual orientation.
while almost 10 per cent of nonLGBTQ students also reported being physically harassed or assaulted due to their perceived
This April, it was students at Morden Collegiate in Morden taking the lead in
Sexual harassment is also a key component of bullying experienced by LGTBQ youth
fighting bullies. They students planned a day of silence to protest the bullying of LGBTQ youth based on the National Day of
sexual orienta-
Silence; a day of action in which students
tion or gender
across the country take some form of
identity. When
a vow of silence to call attention to the
ronments such as washrooms and change
it came to assault and physical harassment
rooms where bullies indulge in the pleas-
of transsexual students, the
ure system of homophobia and transpho-
number affected climbed to
bia by tormenting LGBQT students.
37 per cent.
Gerard Sinclair, a member of Maples
Sexual harassment is
Collegiate’s Gay Straight Alliance, agrees
also a key component of
that in many cases, students aren’t being
bullying experienced by
homophobic or transphobic because of
LGTBQ youth, affecting 49
any deeply entrenched prejudice or fear.
per cent of trans students,
“There could be different reasons, but I
45 per centof students with
think the main thing is that they don’t
LGBTQ parents, 43 per cent
know that it is really hurting the person …
of female bisexual students,
they just don’t think before they say it,” ex-
42 per cent of male bisexual
plained the Grade 11 student. “Sometimes
students, 40 percent of gay
they might just say it to make themselves
male students and 33 per
feel better, like they think for a moment
cent of lesbian students.
silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and
Female LGBTQ students were more likely to feel unsafe at school, face mean rumours or lies and skip school because they felt unsafe
www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
15
said he felt they could have been ad-
sending a positive message to the student
dressed with more time. As for next
body. “It’s slowly getting better. If schools
year, Klassen anticipates the National
open up and talk about it and students
Day of Silence will go ahead and noted
know about it, it will get better,” said
the whole experience created positive
Sinclair.
discussion. Klassen became aware of
GSA Network
empowers youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools harassment in schools. And when the Western School Division stepped in to
member of his school’s GSA has also al-
in Canadian Schools after the protest.
lowed him to speak to other students go-
In light of this year’s developments, the
ing through the same struggles, while at
Western School Division board will likely
the same time educating non-LGBTQ stu-
examine its anti-bullying policy to ensure
dents about LGBTQ issues. It’s also a place
it properly includes sexual orientation.
to make friends and have fun. “Discussion
Development of specific anti-homo-
is key. You have to talk about it,” agreed
phobia, anti-biphobia and anti-transpho-
Buenviaje. “(Homophobia) is not OK, it’s
bia policies is one of the recommendations
wrong, it’s inappropriate; it’s discrimina-
GSAs… provide safe social spaces, guidance and education, while sending a positive message to the student body
made by the national survey. So is urging divisions and education ministries work to ensure curriculum is developed that includes respectful representations
there are schools that have demonstrated that it is possible to get over this addiction to homophobia
tion. People need to know that.” She said a GSA at her high school has improved her time there and probably the overall attitude at Maples Collegiate towards
LGBTQ students.
prevent the event from taking place as
of LGTBQ people. The national survey also
planned, the students took their protest to
provided information on vulnerable groups
the division office and pushed for a meet-
that in some cases were previously uniden-
about to embark on another national
ing with board members to discuss the
tified, particularly female sexual minority
research project that will examine tech-
issue of homophobia and bullying.
students and pointed out the need for ex-
niques and curriculum used by teachers to
tra vigilance to protect these students.
fight homophobia and attempt to identify
“They got their point across,” said
Taylor and a team of researchers are
The survey showed 26 per cent of
successful strategies to work towards the
to meet with students. He indicated the
female bisexual youth and 25 per cent of
elimination of biphobia, transphobia and
meeting generated good discussion and
lesbian youth have faced physical harass-
homophobia in Canadian schools “As grim
greater awareness of issues affecting stu-
ment about being LGBTQ, compared with
as it may seem, and sometimes it does feel
dents. “We realized that students were
12 per cent of male bisexual youth and 23
very grim to me ... there are schools that
hurt and offended by this and we apolo-
per cent of gay male youth. Female LGBTQ
have demonstrated that it is possible to get
gized to them,” said Klassen. “We want
students were also more likely to feel un-
over this addiction to homophobia,” said
our schools to be open and welcoming to
safe at school, face mean rumours or lies
Taylor.
everyone.”
and skip school because they felt unsafe.
board chairman Ken Klassen, who agreed
He noted the planned day of ac-
16 17
The 16-year-old added that being a
Egale’s National Survey on Homophobia
Another recommendation called for
tion raised concerns among some in the
schools to develop what gay sraight alli-
community, and although he declined to
ances, or GSAs. These provide safe social
elaborate on what those concerns were,
spaces, guidance and education, while
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
– Shannon Vanraes is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.
technology
Ultra portables the hottest items in computing
Corey Shefman
“The best times to buy a computer are August / September or December for the holiday releases”
It seems that every time
introduced, the ultra-
we turn around, our
portables were either sub-
tech is outdated again –
standard and slow, or you
surpassed by the latest
could have expected to pay
and greatest in gadgets.
$1,500 to $2,000 if you wanted
You have a Google
something with even moderately
Nexus One? I have a
respectable processing power.
Nexus S. He has an
fresh brought Apple’s ultra-portable up
an iPhone 4 – and don’t
to where the now-discontinued Macbook
even try to brag about
used to be. The new generation of the Air
your now-discontinued Macbook! Since the dawn of the personal compu-
packs more than enough power for any user not doing heavy graphics or video edit-
Perhaps the most exciting new release this fall is the dualuse ASUS Eee Pad Transformer.
ter, consumer technology has progressed
ing. While Dell’s comparable offering, the
and evolved at a steady and rapid rate. How
Ultrathin Latitude is somewhat more expen-
many of us can remember waiting for our
sive, it has attracted equally rave reviews
10-to-11-inch minis lack the power or sex
dial-up modem to connect, or imagine try-
(and is half a pound lighter).
appeal of the Air, don’t have the versatility
ing to run even the most basic websites on an old Pentium 1.
But even the Air is taking a backseat
of a full-size 15” laptop and aren’t as port-
(in terms of hype anyways) to the latest
able as a tablet, but are probably the best
Today, the trick is to know the tech
set of tablets to hit the market. The iPad is
option for a second computer on a budget.
product cycles. While Apple is the most reli-
no longer a lone wolf and unless you have
With prices that stay below $500, the latest
able of the consumer technology compa-
some kind of inexplicable love affair with iOS
generation of Intel Atom processors and
nies in terms of product release dates, all
(which in this author’s opinion is a disaster
(finally!) full-size keyboards, netbooks are
of the big producers have fairly predictable
of an operating system), there is no good
a perfect option for those who want to be
rollout schedules.
reason to stick with Apple’s tablet. With a
able to take notes in class or meetings, surf
closed operating system, no USB ports and a
the web at Starbucks or check their e-mail
ers have their new products ready shortly
relatively weak processor, the iPad 2 can eas-
on vacation.
before the back-to-school season. The best
ily be bested by the competition.
Almost all of the major manufactur-
times to buy a computer are August or Sep-
Perhaps the most exciting new release
This year’s back-to-school selection is without a doubt one of the best in recent
tember for back-to-school or December for
this fall is the dual-use ASUS Eee Pad Trans-
memory. While the selection in desktop
the Holiday/Boxing Day releases and sales.
former. Normally appearing to be an ordi-
computers and full-size laptops has certainly
It’s looking like 2011’s hot item in comput-
nary small laptop or netbook, the screen
shrunk from their early-‘90s/late 2000s
ers is ‘ultra-portables’ – think Macbook Air.
pops right off of the keyboard, allowing it
heyday, consumers today have more variety
These are usually 11 to 14 inches, though
to be used as a tablet.
than ever before at more reasonable prices
most hover around the 13” mark. They’re
18
This summer’s Macbook Air re-
iPhone 3G? Well she has
While some have commented that
extremely thin (often no thicker than your
the rise of the ultra-portables and tablets
average issue of GQ or Attitude) and they
spell the end of the short-lived netbook, I
(finally) have decent specs. Since first
still have faith in my 11” workhorse. These
outwords,september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
than many of us can remember. >> – Corey Shefman is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.
So you’re looking for a new computer. Here are some specs to watch for. These are just general guidelines and you should ensure any computer you buy suits your needs.
Netbook Uses: Note-taking, webbrowsing, checking e-mail. Ideal for: Students, people with a larger ‘main’ computer (i.e. a desktop computer), frequent travellers. What to look for: Approximate price: $400-$550.
Tip: Turn off the wireless receiver on your netbook when not using the Internet to get up to seven or eight hours of battery life out of a single charge (regardless of what they say in the store).
Ultra-Portable/Thin & Light Uses: General personal computing, watching movies, web browsing Ideal for: Hipsters, Starbucks addicts, trend-setters What to look for: Processor: If Intel, at least i3 (preferably i5), four-six GB of DDR3 RAM (less than four will lead to significant slowdowns, more than eight is unnecessary), no more than 2.5 lbs, 720p or better video resolution, HDMI-out port (if you want to watch videos from your computer on your TV
Tablet Uses: Distractions, computing on the go, multi-tasking. Ideal for: People with less computing experience/skill, paperless office, lawyers and doctors (think lots of documents, many ongoing files). What to look for: Screen size: nine-11” (though 10” is ideal – trust me, the extra inch in either direction makes a difference), 1280x800 resolution, two GB ram, a dual-core processor, one or two USB ports, detachable physical keyboard.
Tips: Remember that when buying an ultra-portable computer, at least a third of the cost is for the “wow factor”. When choosing your computer, pay more attention to aesthetics than you might otherwise. This is one category where looks could legitimately trump nother features.
Tips: While the iPad’s easy-to-use interface is great for people with little computing experience (think grandparents, small children), someone using it for business or other productivity purposes should instead go for the BlackBerry Playbook or a tablet that runs Windows to ensure compatibility with office tech, or one of the many Android tablets, which are generally compatible with everything. If you (or your office) is looking at a Windows tablet, it might even be worth holding out for Windows 8, which is being designed specifically for tablets and touch screens. www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
19
out from the closet Graeme Coleman
This fall, you will be seeing fashion though a dusty lens of the ‘70s.
With the arrival of fall, it’s time to show off your true colours. You never know who you might stumble upon during the new school year, or while out on the town for an evening – and if you do stumble upon someone gor-
geous, you’ll want to look your best. So listen up, boys. This fall, you will be seeing fashion though a dusty lens of the ‘70s. Luxe and sexy vibes are on the upswing, accompanied by warm colours and smooth textures. The most exciting (and a bit surprising) trend is the return of the turtleneck. An elegant turtleneck in a subtle colour will have people straining their necks as you walk by. Form-fitting sweaters to show off that sculpted body will be big this fall. Switch them up with V-neck sweaters if you are go-
Show off your true colours Brett (left) looks perfectly swanky in a pastel, pink button-up and white pants. Kassia rocks with a pair of red shorts, matched with a cream sweater and subtle navy stripes.
ing for a classier look. These work well with
Photographer: Rejean Brandt | Models: Brett, Kassia | Clothing: American Apparel (Kassia), Club Monaco
a dress shirt or a polo in a complementary
(Brett) | Stylist: Graeme Coleman
colour – like our model, Kassia, is wearing in navy and creame horizontal stripes.
Although pastels are in, don’t hesitate to
propriate, but keep you looking clean and
play around with vibrant colours from time
classy. Also, you can try buttoning it up all the
sity jacket. A leather varsity jacket paired with
to time. For variety, throw on a pair of bright
way to create an ‘80s look (think Tom Cruise
jeans is casual, yet stylish. Check out your lo-
red pants, or a bright red shirt – but be aware
from Rainman).
cal vintage stores in search of some priceless,
that if you attempt to wear a single bright
retro varsity jackets to sport around campus.
An ideal trend to rock at school is the var-
With all these fashions to play with, you
colour from head-to-toe, you will make the
have no excuse to head back to work or to
Some of the dominant spring and sum-
wrong kind of statement. Kassia rocks with
school this September looking anything other
mer trends aren’t done running their course
a pair of red shorts, matched with a cream
than amazing. Experiment with colours and
and will continue to offer plenty of variety as
sweater and subtle navy stripes. Many people
styles and don’t settle until you’re turning
the season changes. Blissful pastels on polos
won’t wear red because they think it doesn’t
heads on every street and in every hallway.
and button-up shirts were spotted all over the
look right on them, but red is a playful colour
runways at Paris and Milan this past summer.
when worn in the right combination.
Our model, Brett, looks perfectly swanky in
Another trend we will continue to see is
a pastel, pink button-up and white pants.
the dress shirt without a tie. Dress shirts with
White pants can make your legs look divine, if
rolled up sleeves and without the tie make
they are fitted nicely and worn tastefully.
you look a little more casual and school ap-
20
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
– Graeme Coleman is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.
SING
OUT!
RAINBOW HARMONY PROJECT KICKS OFF SEASON 13,
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH WITH REGISTRATION BEGINNING AT 6:30 P.M. Rehearsals are held at 603 Wellington Crescent, from 7:00-9:30 p.m., Mondays from September through mid-June. In addition to our 2 main concert performances this season, we will be performing with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in March, and in GALA Denver in July. Whether you are interested in singing with the chorus, or in becoming a fifth section volunteer, we look forward to seeing you Monday, September 12th.
COME, HAVE FUN, MAKE FRIENDS… WITH
STAY ALERT PULL OVER. Please Yield the Right of Way to Emergency Vehicles A message from the John Petropolous Memorial Fund
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WINNIPEG’S GLBTT* CHORUS
Non-audition chorus | Non-singing volunteers needed. www.rainbowharmonyproject.ca
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outwords
www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
21
Time for Gen ‘S’ And time to rock the educational boat
green planet Alana LajoieO’Malley
“What if all over Manitoba, students became real stakeholders and citizens of their school communities”
Ah yes. The parade
to these efforts, some solutionaries are
of eager students
starting to trickle out of Manitoba schools.
be places in which everything from insti-
Schools as living laboratories would
tidily filing into their
But we need a flood, not a trickle.
tutional governance to boiler rooms to
classrooms has be-
So humour me in a back-to-school
gun. Another year
thought experiment. What if the very
up for student scrutiny, study, and, most
to fill their heads
buildings, people, and institutional struc-
importantly, action. This amounts to an
with all the facts and
tures in which students learn were to
invitation for students and teachers in
figures they’ll need
become the test bed for their fledgling
math, English, geography, and so on, to
to become contribut-
solution-building abilities and proclivities?
find the gaps between textbook theory
ing members of the
What if all over Manitoba, students be-
and the practices they live with every day;
global economy.
came real stakeholders and citizens of their
an invitation to treat these gaps as the pre-
school communities? What if they were
cious learning opportunities that they are.
Given the time of year, I guess it isn’t
cafeterias to curriculum would be opened
so surprising that there’s this line that keeps running through my head – “we need to graduate a generation of solutionaries.” Zoe Weil said it in her TEDx talk called The World Becomes What We Teach. Do me a favour – Google it. Solutionar-
Schools as living laboratories would be places in which everything… would be opened up for student scrutiny, study, and, most importantly, action.
ies – people with the knowledge, the tools, and (most importantly) the motivation to
tasked with undertaking and understand-
Why, for instance, do we continue to use
be conscientious choice makers and en-
ing the hugely important but daunting
fossil fuel to heat our buildings in Manitoba
gaged change makers for a world well on
task of changing their places of learning so
given our understanding of the causes of
the road to real social and environmental
that they more and more closely reflect the
climate change?
responsibility. Solutionaries – active, intel-
principles of social and environmental re-
ligent, empowered citizens not satisfied
sponsibility their teachers are increasingly
would require nearly herculean humility
with contributing to a global economy
introducing into their classrooms? What
and confidence on the part of educators –
plagued with social and environmental in-
if, with students at the helm, Manitoba’s
no one likes having apparent hypocrisies
justice. Citizens intent on making sure that
schools became living laboratories for insti-
put under a microscope. But hey, what
the part of the world to which they belong
tutional change towards sustainability?
better way to teach the kind of emotional
actively seeks to achieve real responsibility to people and the planet. Are we graduating a generation of
22 23
Being willing to expose these gaps
Imagine a project integrated into
intelligence sustainable development re-
classes at all levels that reduced a school’s
quires than to demonstrate it in action?
greenhouse gas emissions, energy con-
That sentence. It keeps rolling around
solutionaries here in Manitoba? Google
sumption, water use, and waste produc-
in my head. “We need to graduate a gen-
‘Manitoba Education for Sustainable Devel-
tion; improved the social and environmen-
eration of solutionaires.” ‘Gen S’.... kinda
opment’ and you’ll find countless resources
tal impacts of the supplies and products
has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
and good news stories about all of the
it bought; and made the school a happier
work that educators in Manitoba are do-
more inclusive place for everyone. The Si-
ing to make sure that students understand
erra Youth Coalition’s High School Sustain-
what it means to respond to the needs of
ability Assessment Framework is one tool
other people and ecosystems. And, thanks
that helps students do just this.
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
– Alana Lajoie-O’Malley is the director of the campus sustainability office at the University of Winnipeg. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, e-mail editor@ outwords.ca
Exclusively Spanish
Adam Donnelly of Segovia inspired by tapas culture off menu
Spanish cuisine, says
discovered the culinary
kenton smith
chef Adam Donnelly,
and social dimensions of
was something he felt
tapas culture. He and his
Winnipeg could be
partner, Carolina Konrad
educated about. “Our
–Segovia’s general man-
menu is designed to
ager – owned the house
teach people about
that became Segovia’s
Spanish food and
home. At that time it was
wine,” explains the
leased and being oper-
conspicuously tat-
ated as a teahouse.
“Donnelly has clearly taken the crown as Winnipeg’s pre-eminent tapas’’
tooed, 32-year-old head chef at Segovia
Then they learned the space had become
Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Osborne
available. “When I heard
Village. That’s why all the wines are exclu-
the news, I quit my job in
sively Spanish. As are the cheeses. The same
London and got a job at a
goes for all the olive oils and vinegars in the
tapas bar instead, to start
kitchen, too.
research for opening the
Chef Adam Donnelly modelled Segovia on the tapas bars of Madrid
Furthermore, Donnelly continues, “our
restaurant back home,”
models are the tapas bars of Madrid, which
Donnelly says. That re-
offer regional specialties from across the
search continued with a
cuisine” that Donnelly pursues. “Span-
country.” Examples include charcuterie – “a
sojourn through Spain itself.
ish cuisine has been at the forefront of the
big thing in Spain” – and patatas bravas
Finally, Segovia opened its doors Dec.
avant-garde, like Ferran Adria’s former res-
(spicy potatoes with dipping mayonnaise)
1, 2009 – offering, Donnelly declares, some-
taurant El Bulli,” he says. “What we do here
provide a taste of the most authentic in
thing very different on the Winnipeg dining
is the polar opposite.”
tapas culture.
scene. “I didn’t want to run a fine dining es-
That simplicity, Donnelly insists, is one
tablishment. What this city needs are more
of Spanish cuisine’s hallmarks “It’s all about
Basils – adjacent to Sherbrook Street, just
places where people can wear either suits
freshness, and highlighting the ingredi-
across from Segovia – that was the place to
or shorts; I want my friends here, eating my
ents – there’s no heavy sauces, mostly just
go for small plates. It may yet return, with
food.”
oils and dressings to brighten things up.”
For years, it was the much-beleaguered
ads having appeared on (and then disap-
That sentiment dovetails perfectly with
Then there’s the magic of pork fat. “We
peared from) Kijiji, looking for staff. In the
the value woven into the menu. “You can
use it a lot for flavouring,” Donnelly says
interim, Donnelly has clearly taken the
be satisfied without spending a lot, or by
with a smile. And there are overall themes
crown as Winnipeg’s pre-eminent tapas
spending more. We’ve made Spanish food
Donnelly’s brought to diners: this past year,
royalty. And he’s done it, not just through
available and affordable.” For Donnelly, it’s
notes of North Africa and the Middle East
combining location, kitchen skill and ambi-
about the total experience. “You can have
have been highlighted by pine nuts, zatar
ence … but also by going straight to the
two plates or 10 plates, and sample so much
and sumac.
source for inspiration.
more variety,” he explains. “And all this can
No doubt there’ll be an eager public
spark conversation and intimacy with your
salivating for whatever’s plated next. “I can’t
dining partners.”
believe how busy we are,” Donnelly beams.
“I love the informality of tapas culture,” Donnelly says, as loud music and sailor talk from the staff blare from the kitchen.
Despite changing the menu every few
“I’ll keep this going until people stop com-
We’re seated in the dining room half of his
months and putting twists on classic ingre-
restaurant, situated in an old, renovated
dients – like hanger steak with blue cheese,
two-storey house, the design harmonizing
scallops with cauliflower puree and balsamic
– Kenton Smith is a Winnipeg-based freelance
the sleek and the rustic. It was in Australia,
reduction, or pork belly with white beans
writer.
London and finally Spain itself that Donnelly
or pickled vegetables – it’s “simple, honest
ing, or I don’t want to do it anymore.”
www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
23
a Song in their Hearts by Peter Carlyle-Gordge
Rainbow choir warming up for a GALA season
The Rainbow Harmony
sored by the Manitoba Choral Association.
Project, now embark-
Choirs perform before adjudicators and a
director is to find the right repertoire. “The
ing on its 13th season,
stellar evening can lead to an invitation to
music has to be able to satisfy the needs
has become some-
the national ChoralFest in Ottawa. Unfortu-
of some fairly advanced singers as well as
thing of an icon in
nately, this year’s budget precludes a trip to
novices and beginners,” he says. “It’s a real
the Manitoba GLBT
ChoralFest, even if invited, because of the
balancing act because you want to involve
community. Its per-
plan to attend the GALA Choruses Festival in
everyone and not choose music which is too
formances are usually
Denver.
simple and bores the advanced singers.”
packed and it is warmly received whenever
The GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association
and wherever it travels. This season will
of Choruses) Choruses Festival was founded
be especially fun. Four performances are
in 1982 by 14 choirs.
planned for Manitoba and one for Denver,
It now boasts more
Colorado. The highlight of the home-turf
than 200 GLBT mem-
performances will take place in March when
ber choruses from eight
the choir joins the Winnipeg Symphony
countries. “I’m hopeful
Orchestra at the Centennial Concert Hall.
that half the choir will
Artistic director Vic Hooper is excited
be able to make the trip
about their performance with the WSO’s
to Denver,” says Hooper.
The choir usually boasts between 45 and 60 members. There is also room for volun-
“Songs are funny things. They can slip across borders. Proliferate in prisons. Penetrate hard shells. I always believed that the right song at the right moment could change history.” — Pete Seeger
pops concert, Broadway Rocks, March 16-18.
“The quality of singing is superb. I went to
teers to help support the singers. “We always
Their renditions of Aquarius and Circle of Life
the 2004 GALA in Montreal and was blown
need members who can help with adminis-
will be among the musical fare. “Usually, they
away by it. They had 5,000 delegates and
tration, stage management and so on,” he
get two or three choirs together but we are
about 160 choirs.”
says. “There is lots to do behind the scenes.” No audition is needed to join and re-
the only ones asked this year and we will be
The Denver trip will allow the choir to
providing the backup, so it’s great exposure
perform before an American audience and
hearsals start Monday, Sepempber 12, from
for our community,” he says. “As a commu-
hear some truly phenomenal GLBT choirs.
7- 9:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist
nity we have won all our legal rights and now
“Some of these choirs have million-dollar
Church, 603 Wellington Crescent.
we’re able to add our own talents to the Ca-
budgets and the singing is tremendous,”
nadian fabric and the wider community.”
Hooper says. “Of course there’s a great at-
order a CD of its 10th anniversary concert,
mosphere down there….a feeling that we are
entitled “Rainbow Harmony Project Live at
all gay and all affirming.”
10”, at: http://rainbowharmonyproject.ca
The choir’s first performance this season will be the November 26 ChoralFest, spon-
24
Hooper’s greatest challenge as artistic
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
You can learn more about the choir or
“I joined because it was the right thing to do,” she says. “I grew up through a time when it was not always safe to give my truth a voice, a time when my dignity as a lesbian was denied. So for me, the voices that give rise to this choir are a gift. “They are voices that give rise to our truth and dignity. They are voices that sing into history, voices that have been silenced in history. They are voices that touch hearts, transform lives, change attitudes and inspire joy. They are voices that are invaluable to Manitoba LGBTT history and indeed, to history at large.” Ashlyn Noble says she joined because she just loves to sing and Rainbow Harmony offered a fun and friendly opportunity to do what she loves. “I stay because not only is the chorus amazing musically, but the sense of
Music has the power to change our world
Music can be many
“After 11 years, I’m still here because I love it and I am proud of it. There is nothing
members are gathered is so powerful. Being a
people and in the
else like the RHP: the music I had never sung
part of that is special to me,” she says. O
case of the Rainbow
before; the friendships with people I might
Harmony Project, it
not otherwise meet…The singing itself calls
offers nourishment of
my heart into my voice, and when I listen to
many kinds. For choir
other people in the choir, I hear their hearts,
member Joshua (last
too.”
name omitted by request) it was a lifeline.
For Julia Zacharias it was a way to find
“Due to a traumatic experience, I isolated
friends. “I joined the RHP shortly after coming
myself and turned to drugs to escape the pain
out, and when I was newly back in Winnipeg,”
I was living,” he says. “I stopped doing the
she says. “It was a great way to build a new
things I once lived for.. ..singing. I have also
community of folks who would be supportive
dealt with a mental illness and RHP is the first
of me being openly ‘out’ and it was a way to
choir I have been in since I overcame my ad-
continue a long habit of mine– choral singing.
dictions and mental illness. With the support
It’s been a great place to share some magical
and kindness from each member, I am finally
moments of music and friendship.”
back to doing the one thing I love most...
Singer Gary Batstone says joining the
singing. Thanks to the choir for giving me my
choir has allowed him to find a place of
voice back.”
wonderful friendship with people who share
Other members such as Keith were in-
similarities in their life stories. “It also serves as
spired by a need to make a positive change for
a means to bring change in the wider commu-
the GLBT community. “I joined the Rainbow
nity as Manitobans see their GLBTTQ family,
Harmony Project after I heard them sing for
friends and neighbours bringing positive song
World AIDS Day on December 1, 1999,” he
messages to our country,” he says. “The choir
says. “I knew I wanted to be part of this
allows me to continue the singing I began as
group that was making music and social
a child in church choirs. I am also moved and
change together. It was like deciding to walk
changed by it.”
in the first Gay Pride in Winnipeg – I knew where I wanted to be.
friendship and community present anywhere
things to many
Sally Papso joined the choir in 1999 in a
This season’s public performances for the rainbow harmony project are: Sat. Nov. 26 ChoralFest Sturgeon Creek United 207 Thompson Drive Sat. Dec. 3, Many Gifts Concert Knox United Church 400 Edmonton St., Winnipeg. March 16, 17, 18 WSO Pops Concert, Broadway Rocks. Centennial Concert Hall Sat. May 12, Spring Concert Location: TBA July 7-13 GALA Choruses Festival Denver, Colorado
search for truth, dignity and self-expression. www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
25
MTC’s act of imagination by Katrina Caudle
This season
the setting enliven the classic. The dress and
opens at the
sets are modern, the dates set this year.
John Hirsch
“I’ve never directed a play with a con-
Theatre
cept until now,” says Schipper. “I’ve been
(formerly the
at MTC for a long while and always thought
Main Stage)
we should be doing Romeo and Juliet. But
with the
so many of our audiences have seen it. I
a play only happens when an
world stage
was worried it would be a boring choice. In
audience and performers come
premiere of
searching for a way to make it more interest-
together to experience an act of
Grumpy
ing, I just came up with the concept. “We
Old Men,
want to keep it archetypal, not national. I’m
The crew at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre have a saying -
imagination. To make great plays, you need artists and audiences. “We say artists first because, like in a dance, someone always has to lead,” says artistic director Steven Schipper. “We like to promote art-
which Schipper confides is “as lowbrow as
hopeful we can keep it true to our own spirit,
we’re going to get. He pauses and admits, “It
not talk politics in the rehearsal hall but let the
might even dip below the line.”
play work its magic. We want it to be a bless-
The performance of the romantic comedy
ing for love and goodness. Enough killing.”
was made possible by the matchmaking of Sam Lutfiyaa, an icon in the Winnipeg music
Shirley
ists and audiences equally, the key
and theatre communities, who passed away
Valentine
is to get that balance and we’re
two years ago.”He put us together with the
stars ac-
unashamed to be trying to do it
crew from New York and the partnership has
tress Nicola
with full houses, theatres full of art-
been a pleasure,” says Schipper. “The artists
Cavendish
from New York have been generous and it’s
reprising her
brought Broadway investors up to Winnipeg.
outstanding
It’s an honour to dedicate the performance
performance
to Sam.”
as Shirley
ists and audiences.” As a theatre that has presented live entertainment for Winnipeg
Bradshaw (née
audiences for more than 50 years,
The season
the company continues to look for
continues with
in a life-affirming play about empowerment
a performance
and choice. Following Valentine, Wendy Lil’s
of Romeo
The Fighting Days is a play about the
ways to reach its coveted audiences, bringing them something
Valentine),
and Juliet,
suf fragette
directed by
movement
Schipper
in Winnipeg
himself. In
have a very sophisticated audience
and
Schipper’s
to perform for. They’ve seen great
Manitoba.
vision, the setting for
It focuses
plays and know the difference.”
exceptional each season, says Schipper. “An audience wants to be entertained and we’re lucky to
the play is a modern day Jerusalem with a fictional district called Verona. The Capulets are Muslim and the Montagues are Jewish, letting
on the story of Francis Marion Beynon and her more
26 27
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
Romeo, Juliet and a vibrator or two famous accomplice Nellie McClung. Based
with that encourage me to keep it fresh. It’s
at society’s pretensions in this wicked little
on the struggle of the vote for women, the
a step forward for us, doing the important
comedy that exposes corruption and hy-
play sheds new light on the provocative and
work of stretching our audiences and our-
pocrisy through the struggle of mother and
volatile times.
selves,” says Schipper.
daughter.
God of
The Royal
August: Osage
Carnage is
Manitoba
County is an
the story of
Theatre Centre
extraordinary
two average
also features a
tragic comedy
adult couples
second lineup
that Schipper
who both
of works at
would love to
have young
the smaller
one day put on
boys that
Tom Hendry
the main stage.
attend the
Theatre. These
It’s a dark and
same school.
performances
funny family re-
The conflict is
can be more
union, complete
sparked when the boys fight and one chips
challenging for the audiences and the art-
with secrets exposed by the disappearance
the other’s tooth. In an attempt at civility,
ists. The Next Room (a.k.a. The Vibrator
of the patriarch and the perverse delight of
the couples decide to meet but decorum
Play) is Sarah Ruhl’s work about the inven-
the pill-popping mother.
and social niceties fall away as the adults
tion of the vibrator, for strictly medicinal
duke it out in a spectacle that asks “what
purposes, of course! It helps cure Victorian
The sea-
have we sacrificed to fit the mould?”
era women suffering from hysteria, but also
son closes
draws the curiosity of the wife of the doctor
with Blind
The season
who invented it, who longs for more inti-
Date, star-
ends with
macy with her husband.
ring Rebecca
Next to
Northan as the
Normal,
Celebrated
sexy, Parisian
an award-
playwright
Mimi who is
winning
George
waiting at a
musical that
Bernard
café for her
is more than
Shaw’s
feel-good –
work Mrs.
show up. Only he never gets there and a
it will have
Warren’s
lucky single man from the audience will get
the audience
Profession
to take his place! The two go on an actual
feeling a range of emotions. It is an intimate
tells the story
date, take a ride in her car, and even end up
family story centred on a mother’s struggles
of a mother
back at her apartment. Ground-breaking,
who was a
funny, and featuring a different leading man
with bipolar disorder. “Next to Normal will
blind date to
be a forward motion in our programming.
madam and her daughter who is mortified
every night, Blind Date is such a huge hit
I’m gratetful for the amazing people I work
to find out. Shaw delights at taking shots
MTC extended its run. O
www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 2011
27
Comedies with chewy bits Prairie theatre exchange’s fun season by Katrina Caudle
robert metcalfe
The approach and
one day his own estranged dad comes back
peared while on a boat sailing to a tropical
programming has
into his life. The father has had a stroke. The
isle. As she sets out to retrace their steps,
evolved, but the
play speaks to the puzzle of communication
she thinks she’s looking for her family, but
mandate of the
within families. “There are all these hurdles
discovers she is really trying to find herself.
Prairie Theatre
to connecting. It’s beautiful and heartbreak-
Exchange has re-
ingly funny,” says Metcalfe. “You can’t really
Boyz directed by Kayla Gordon is sure to
mained the same
know yourself, can’t really forgive yourself
be a hit with audiences. It’s a hysterical
for the company’s
until you can know and forgive your par-
comedy with lots of homoerotic under- and
39 years – to offer
ents.”
overtones about a boy band whose job is to
In the crush of deep winter, Altar
the works of play-
save the souls of
wrights who speak
their audience.
to the circumstances that we collectively
“They have a
experience. “We try to keep the season bal-
countdown
anced and interesting, while finding some-
clock and
thing to laugh about in late winter and early
through song
spring,” artistic director Robert Metcalfe
and story, they
says with a laugh. “I like comedies with
can see how
chewy bits, something thought-provoking.”
many souls
The season launches with Bingo, a bit-
they’ve saved,”
ter-sweet comedy by Daniel MacIvor– prob-
Metcalfe says
ably the best known gay writer in Canada
with a laugh.
and hilariously funny – about a 30th high
“Eventually they
school reunion and a group of old friends. Conflict develops through the perceived rift that has grown between those who stayed in the neighbourhood and those who left. “Daniel being Daniel, it’s richer than that.
but five and
a voyage of self-discovery? Lost: A memoir is based on the
we know who those are. We
get to the confessions and they have to
It’s that pull you feel to go home, how what
book by Cathy Ostlere. It tells the story of
share who they really are for their souls to
you miss is often the same thing that drives
a woman starting a family and settling into
be saved.” Alter Boyz was a favourite at the
you nuts,” Metcalfe says.
suburban, Calgary life– adjusting to leaving
2010 Winnipeg Fringe Festival and across
behind the adventurous young adult she
North America.
The Secret Mask by Rick Chafe takes
28
save everyone Lost: A memoir
us into the life of a man who is struggling
was – or so she thinks. She gets word that
The season rounds off with Till It
with his relationship with his son. And then
her brother and his girlfriend have disap-
Hurts, a sharp and witty piece by Douglas
outwords, september 2011 // www.outwords.ca
altar boyz
beautiful powerful
enticing
a hysterical comedy with lots of homoerotic under- and overtones Bowie about a professor trying to write a
them together is that all the plays ask the
speech about what he’s learned over the
question: ‘Who am I now?’”
course of his personal and professional
During the off-season, PTE underwent
career. With 10 hours to go, he’s still sitting
a $2.5-million makeover of the space it has
in front of his computer with nothing to say.
occupied for 20 years. The renos are ex-
A phone call from a telemarketer for the
pected to be complete by October 12. The
Stephen Lewis Foundation changes both
main change is to the lobby. One of the
their lives. “So, you might ask what’s the thematic
old studios was gutted and is being transformed into a lounge, where audiences can
link, what kind of journey you’d go on
sit and have a drink before and after plays.
through all these plays,” says Metcalfe. “In
The whole feeling of the lobby will change.
Bingo, it’s about being 17 or 18 and trying
The space is being widened and sound-
to return to that. Lost comes from the place
proofed with additional seating added.
where you’re trying to find who you are
The other changes are to the interior of the
again. Altar Boyz centres on these guys that
theatre. The seats are being reupholstered
have to face who they are and what they’ve
and the entire space is being re-carpeted
done to have their souls saved. What links
and painted. O
Layer Cake Primitivo
24
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www.outwords.ca // outwords, september 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
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 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. 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
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.
outwords, september 2011 // 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. 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.
Sage House: Drop-in and outreach for streetinvolved women and transgenders living as women. 943-6379.
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
Street Connections: Needle exchange, safer crack use kits, condoms, info and service connections. Call 981-0742.
SPIRITUALITY
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
HEALTH & HIV/AIDS
University of Winnipeg UWSA LGBT* Centre: 786-9025. E-mail lgbt@uwsa.ca, Web: theuwsa. ca/services-student-groups
Live and Let Live: Group of Alcoholics Anonymous. Wed. at 8 p.m. at Holy Names House of Peace, 211 Edmonton St.
Out There Sports & Recreation: GLBT sports and recreation events in Winnipeg Web: gaycanada. com/outthere.
Young United: 222 Furby St. Call 783-0128.
Provincial AIDS/STI Information Line: 945-2437 or 1-800-782-2437, Mon.to Fri. from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ndinawe/Red River College: Child & Youth Care Certificate Program for folks formerly involved in the sex trade. Call 582-1978.
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.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg (Liberal Religion): 603 Wellington Cres. 474-1261.
University of Manitoba Peer Advisors: Room 150, University Centre. 474-6696.
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
Masquerade: Crossdresser, transvestite, and transgender group. Web: masquerade.ca or call 452-1100.
30
PolyWinnipeg is a pansexual social, support and educational group for polyamorous people in Winnipeg and area, www.polywinnipeg.com
Anakhnu Jewish GLBT Group: A program of the Rady Jewish Community Centre. social and cultural programs. 477-7537, E-mail tbarr@aradyjcc. com. Dignity Winnipeg: GLBT Catholics and friends, meet every third Friday at Augustine United Church, 444 River Ave. at Osborne.Doors open 6 p.m. Call Thomas, 287-8583, or Sandra, 7796446. E-mail winnipeg@dignitycanada.org, Web: dignitycanada.org. Rainbow Ministry (Outreach of the UnitedChurch): 302-G Weston St., Call 954-2904. Winnipeg Full Moon Group: A place for Wiccan and pagan-minded people of all genders and sexual orientations. Please contact Laurie via e-mail anotheragentsmith@gmail.com with the subject ‘Full Moon Group’ for information.
AFFIRMING Augustine United Church: 444 River Ave. at Osborne. 284-2250. Shaarey Zedek Synagogue: 561 Wellington Cres. Temple Shalom: Reform Judaism. Web: templeshalomwinnipeg.ca
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.
2011/12 season
AT PLAY
“roCK Is aLIVe and rolling like thunder in next to normal…” - rolling stone
In this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning “feel-everything musical” featuring soul-soaring rock and stirring ballads, Diana’s family decides being next to normal will just have to be enough.
apr. 19 – May 12, 2012
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