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TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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Brandon Matheson

#786 DEC 11–24, 2014 DAVID HAWE

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XTRA Published by Pink Triangle Press TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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Editorial Holiday Christmas extravaganza

By Andrew Jacome 4

History Boys The Kray twins Two 1960s London gangsters fancied guns and men 12

Feedback 4

Out in the City

Olympians to carry message of LGBT inclusion into schools 7 Rainbow High Updates on Church-Wellesley travel agency 8 West-end graffiti Homophobic slurs deface business 9

on dailyxtra.com One in 10 people are

gay? Not even close Dispelling the

stigma of HIV Debra DiGiovanni talks about life in LA, depression and gay fans Putin, porn and erectile dysfunction Video: Gay man discusses using PrEP MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

Arts roundup Pride and Prejudice, Christmas sing-along and Hervana 19 Girl in shining armour An interview with Cameron Esposito 20 Style Life Grooming gifts 22

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Comment

Andrew Jacome is Xtra’s associate editor.

The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian people daring together to set love free.

Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3.

4 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA!

Thank you, Mr Burtch, for your very wise and provocative piece. As destructive as a steady diet of anger can be, it does have its upside. As recently as 2010, I watched the great love of my life — in the miserable throes of life-ending HIV-related illnesses — attempt to find his inner peace while ensconced in a barbaric acute-care ward located in a major, supposedly modern 21st-century hospital on Elizabeth Street in downtown Toronto; attended by harried, inexperienced physicians sorely lacking in comforting bedside manner; forced to eat food that was indigestible to him, and manhandled by some nurses who treated him like an annoyance, like a sack of potatoes.

It was anger on my part, and on his sister’s part, which protected him to a degree. And, like I said, this was not 20 or 30 years ago — this was in 2010. Fortunately, I was able to (with his permission) get him out of that snake pit and into a warm, loving, compassionate bed at Casey House (God bless Casey House).

He died there three days later — in peace, surrounded by love and care and quiet.

I guess my point here is that life can be better than ever before for HIV/AIDS patients nowadays, but complacency is a mighty dangerous thing. Anger — and vigilance — is still required. For as long as even one patient continues to be treated like a leprous piece of shit, the war is far from over.

MOONDOGGIE DAILYXTRA.COM

Justin Romanov Refugee acceptance is step one [“Gay Russian Granted Asylum in Canada,” dailyxtra.com, Dec 10].

’ ’S

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS #785 NOV 27–DEC 10, 2014

NANCY IRWIN DAILYXTRA.COM

RE: WORLD AIDS DAY

@dailyxtra

Thank you, Michael Burtch, for writing what I really needed to hear on World AIDS Day [“Anger on World AIDS Day,” Xtra #785, Nov 27]. Those of us who are still breathing and still angry often feel alone. But in many ways, big and small, some are still fighting.

Clearly, you are among the warriors.

Thank you.

facebook.com/dailyxtra

The holidays have a funny relationship with time. When I’m in the throes of summer, I fantasize about December delights. Cozy sweaters, Starbucks’ sugary simulated gingerbread and Christmas lights all seem like magical wonders.

But then winter comes around and I remember why we try so hard to make December as charming as possible: the bitter cold.

Gone are the days of lazing about outdoors, watching cute guys stroll by in tank tops and shorts (both of which seem to be made with less and less fabric as the years go by). Come winter, it’s a miracle if you even make eye contact with someone as you both slosh to your destinations.

It’s probably why everyone’s favourite winter pastime, whether they admit it or not, is staying indoors; my early Christmas present to myself was a subscription to Netflix to facilitate my hibernation. Flicking through title after title, I’m amazed that during all my wishful-December thinking I forgot my true winter love: Christmas television.

There’s a lot of schlock out there. Eve’s Christmas (get it? Her name is Eve, and it’s Christmas), starring Clueless actress Elisa Donovan, is about a plucky New Yorker who makes a Christmas wish to travel back in time because, gosh darnit, Christmas makes her realize she should have married her loser boyfriend instead of pursuing her successful career. It was filmed in 2004, before feminism was invented. Lifetime’s sole purpose is to pump out movies like Eve’s Christmas, and while there’s certainly an audience for it, it’s not my cup of tea.

So I thought I would share my favourite holiday specials of yore, in case you need a break from watching Love Actually for the 20th time.

Lady Gaga and The Muppets’ Holiday Spectacular: Yes, it’s an obvious plug for Gaga’s Artpop, but Holiday Spectacular is like an IV of glitter directly to your eyeballs.

There are more blonde wigs and outfit changes than you could possibly keep track of — exactly the kind of element Miss Piggy excels in. A close second choice is obviously The Muppet Christmas Carol, but Gaga makes this variety show special so absurd, it’s hard not to enjoy it. Maybe if they ever recast A Christmas Carol, Gaga could star as the ghost of Christmas past.

The Mindy Project, “Christmas Party Sex Trap”: Watching narcissistic and selfdeluded Mindy Lahiri plan a Christmas party is great enough. Having her use the party as a tool to seduce her crush is genius.

Having her rendition of “Santa Baby” be upstaged by Maria Menounos? Perfection.

I understand that Mindy is not supposed to be a likable character — she’s absurd (no one ever falls in love at Christmas, a trope the show is poking fun at) and abrasive — but you can’t help but laugh along with her. Like when she declares that free gifts are only okay “if you’re like a poor mouse in a Christmas special or something.” This is also the episode where her hunky co-worker Danny dances to Aaliyah’s “Try Again,” so that should be reason enough to watch it.

Orange Is the New Black, “Can’t Fix Crazy”: Unless you’ve been living in a bubble devoid of great pop culture, you’ll know OITNB is Netflix’s crown jewel. Piper may be the show’s (boring, neurotic) protagonist, but the supporting players consistently steal the show. “Can’t Fix Crazy” is the Season 1 finale, where conflicts and lesbian relationships come to an explosive end. It isn’t a feelgood, cheerful episode. Like Home Alone before it, Christmas is merely the catalyst for scandalous antics. Our plucky lady inmates are staging a Christmas pageant; things don’t go as planned (of course), and it ends with Piper taking out her aggression on a fellow inmate’s face. “Can’t Fix Crazy” cemented OITNB as must-watch television.

However you decide to spend your holidays, all of us at Xtra hope you have a safe and enjoyable one. Have an extra glass of eggnog for us.

World AIDS Day

I guess my point here is that life can be better than ever before for HIV/AIDS patients nowadays, but complacency is a mighty dangerous thing.

RA XTR AY DAY LIDA HOLID 10

ID1E UID UI GU G T PAR

in science class when we dissect them, but we still fall down in basic anatomy when it comes to the sex organs.

CAELAN DAILYXTRA.COM

YULE FUEL

HIV nondisclosure

Holiday cocktails from six of our fave bartenders 14

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Step two is get the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to grant permanent residence to Justin Romanov or any other LGBT Russian that flees to Canada. Unfortunately, many LGBT refugees are sent back to their home countries. In Canada, a refugee falls into categories grouped as religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group or political opinion. It is the “particular social group” that experts feel should be expanded to a separate category for sexual orientation. Often witnesses and letters are dismissed as hearsay and claimants are accused of fabricating lies to stay in Canada. The failure to give refuge to the victims of genuine homophobic persecution is the single greatest blot on the gay rights record of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s administration.

Hopefully, Justin Romanov will be allowed to stay in Canada, as a permanent resident, at his next IRB hearing.

MICHEL F PARÉ DAILYXTRA.COM

Gay men draw vaginas A large percentage of women are sadly unknowledgeable about their own parts, too, especially the internal ones [“Gay Men Draw Vaginas Released,” dailyxtra.com, Nov 30].

Likewise, many wouldn’t know a scrotum from the vas deferens.

We talk about parts of the eyeball

Those videos are horrifying [“Thinking Twice About Reporting HIV Nondisclosure,” dailyxtra.com, Dec 3]. This campaign operates in a moral universe that is diametrically opposed to the one in which nearly all Canadians live. These are people who place a greater value on the sexual freedom and pleasure of the HIV infected over and above human life and human health. And they are prepared to say almost anything, to attack and blame everyone under the sun — including victims and the police — in order to protect the sexual freedom of the infected.

It’s vile. Little wonder that they disabled comments and ratings on YouTube.

I hope two things come out of this campaign. First, I hope that it spurs legislative bodies and administrative agencies to think twice about which “AIDS education” and “AIDS services” organizations receive government funds. No government funds should go to any AIDS organization that abets criminal behaviour by telling victims they shouldn’t report crimes. Second, I hope that these videos will spur greater reporting by victims of nondisclosure — the opposite of the intended impact. Victims should report not only to vindicate the value and worth of their own lives and to protect the lives of others, but also to affirm a universal moral principle that knowingly putting other people at risk in the pursuit of sexual pleasure is a horrendous wrong.

CHARLES DAILYXTRA.COM

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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A BIWEEKLY HELPING OF POP CULTURE, SERVED À LA CARTE Grumpy cat

The world’s crankiest kitty is now said to be worth $100 million.

FROM THE ARCHIVES 30 YEARS AGO

XTRA #19, DEC 1, 1984

Proud and taking up space!

Two new community groups are creating space for lesbians of colour and West Indian queer people with potlucks, peer counselling, discussions and more.

800 million Number of germs passed between two people when they lock lips for 10 seconds, according to a Dutch study.

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OUT ON THE STREET BY KYLE BURTON

What’s the strangest Christmas gift you’ve ever received?

A museum of microbes located in Amsterdam.

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Rodney

Sarah

Darren

Emmy

I received a very feminine stationery set from my grandmother.

It was pretty bizarre.

I had no clue that she thought I was out.

My mom bought me an Easy-Bake Oven. I was 17. She never got me one when I was a kid, so I think this was her way of making up for that.

I did a gift exchange with my friends in high school and they gave me a thong. It was black with red ornaments. I’ve been wearing thongs ever since.

My ex-husband bought me a supershiny black purse that looked like a bowling-ball bag.

It had an LCD screen on the front and it was hideous.

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All animals have a dire destiny in the meat trade, but to kill this bull because he’s gay would’ve been a double tragedy.

Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon spent almost $9,000 to save Benjy the gay bull, destined for the slaughterhouse because he wouldn’t breed.

Festive farts French inventor Christian Poincheval has created an allnatural pill, called Pilule Pet, that makes flatulence smell like chocolate.

Poudre Pet A powder that eliminates the smell of dog farts, made by the same company.

Jiff The world’s fastest dog on two legs, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Fastest reindeer

Reportedly found in Tromsø, Norway, where they are harnessed and raced at the annual Sami Festival reindeer races.

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Percentage of the indigenous Sami people whose livelihood depends on reindeer herding.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

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JOB OPPORTUNITY Social Sponsorship Program Manager Pink Triangle Press is looking for an energetic, business-savvy Social Sponsorship Program Manager to head up our new social-sponsorship program. The Social Sponsorship Program Manager will encourage and support activism in our LGBT communities, with an emphasis on activism that advances the mission and values of PTP.

Come work with us…

If you are the right person for this role you will have an entrepreneurial spirit and experience in creating partnerships that effectively bring together resources and causes. You will have the ability to oversee the coordination and administration of all aspects of the social-sponsorship program, including planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling program activities.

The candidate for this role must have knowledge of the history, politics and circumstances of the Toronto gay, lesbian and related communities in which program clients and their issues are embedded. Note: This is for an initial six-month contract.

Visit “Work With Us” at dailyxtra.com for more information.

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6 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Upfront

We are extremely upset and angered by this. Carolyn Eby• 9

Athletes inspire inclusion

Canadian Olympic Committee partners with Egale and You Can Play SPORTS ROB SALERNO

The Canadian Olympic Committee announced a major new partnership with Egale and You Can Play Dec 2 that will see the organizations promote LGBT equality and inclusion in schools across Canada and provide support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender athletes.

Among the initiatives included are plans to update the COC’s own antidiscrimination policies and create LGBT-specific resources for its national program that sends Olympians to public schools to promote mental fitness, selfesteem and equality in sport. The COC hopes to reach more than one million students in 25 school boards over the next two years.

The idea of looking for ways in which the COC could support LGBT athletes came from discussions Christopher Overholt, the head of the COC, had with athletes when he joined the organization in 2010, but momentum for partnership grew during the controversy over the Sochi Olympics earlier this year. Russia’s anti-gay-propaganda law put LGBT athletes and Olympic fans into a difficult situation, and some LGBT activists were critical of the COC’s lack of action on the issue.

Talks began with LGBT advocacy group Egale and the LGBT sports organization You Can Play about how the COC could be a stronger ally for LGBT athletes.

The result is a partnership that’s earned strong support from current and former LGBT Olympians.

For retired gymnast Kris Burley, who competed in Atlanta in 1996, Tuesday’s announcement is most important for its potential to change some of the homophobia that remains in the coaching and administrative infrastructures behind high-performance sports.

“My major issue as an LGBT athlete when I was competing was not with younger kids, but with the established sport system of coaches and administration. I like what the COC is starting to work toward in the leadership of the

GLEN MURRAY HOPES COC PUSH WILL HELP PASS TRANS RIGHTS BILL

Two-time Olympic speed skater Anastasia Bucsis speaks at a Dec 2 press conference at the 519 Church Street Community Centre, where the Canadian Olympic Committee announced a new partnership with Egale and You Can Play to promote a message of LGBT inclusion in sports in Canadian schools. ROB SALERNO

sport community,” he says.

Burley came out a couple of years after he retired in 1999. He says it would have been very difficult to compete as an out athlete. “Even in sports like gymnastics or figure skating, where people think it’s more open and accepted, often it isn’t on the international scene,” he says.

That fear is particularly acute in judged sports, where athletes’ international reputations and the whims of judges can affect rankings. But Burley thinks the COC’s new program could help change the culture in sport internationally.

“Canada has a tremendous history in being leaders in sport movement.

The movement in Canada for women in sport has been tremendous, and Canada has been a leader in that for

many years,” he says.

Overholt is cautious to point out that the COC’s announcement is not meant as a provocation or even a call for similar action on the part of the International Olympic Committee, which has also faced criticism in the wake of the Sochi Olympics. At a meeting held Dec 8 and 9 in Monaco, the IOC added “sexual orientation” to its anti-discrimination charter.

“This is not Canada calling anyone out. That’s not our intention. Our job is to look after the people we’re meant to serve. These things are premised on the notion that sport is a fundamental human right and should be accessible to all,” Overholt says. “What we do and the way we go about our business is about Canada and our business. It’s

not a statement to invoke controversy.”

For You Can Play executive director Wade Davis, a former NFL cornerback, this new partnership means that the next generation of athletes will grow up knowing that LGBT people can compete as equals.

“If you already make it to college or the professional ranks and you haven’t been taught about the importance of making an environment that is safe for LGBT people, it’s not too late,” he says. “What’s so wonderful about this partnership is we will have access to young people when they are still in school, before they’re at the amateur or pro level.”

“Now our athletes won’t be afraid to show up and say, ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender.’ Kids will grow up knowing their lives matter,” Davis says.

The Canadian Olympic Commission’s announcement of its partnership with You Can Play and Egale took an explicitly political turn when Ontario Minister of the Environment Glen Murray used his time at the microphone to call out Conservative senators who are holding up the federal trans rights bill, C-279, after it passed through the House of Commons last year.

“If this bill fails to pass the Senate after passing through the House of Commons, that is a powerful message of exclusion,” he said.

After speaking passionately about his own struggles coming out as a teenager and seeing his other gay friends commit suicide, Murray noted that athletes can be important change agents in society.

“Athletes can have more influence on our government doing this, because you break down stereotypes,” he said.

Federal Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal spoke positively about the COC’s new LGBT inclusion initiatives before Murray spoke and did not address his comments.

Bill C-279 would add “gender identity” as a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canada Human Rights Act and as a category under the hate crime provisions of the Criminal Code. After several years of attempts, Ontario added “gender identity and gender expression” to its Human Rights Code in 2012.

—Rob Salerno

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 7

Rainbow Village Travel takes over Rainbow High space New owner wants to renew confidence in travel company VILLAGE HG WATSON

After being sued by a number of excontractors, Rainbow High Travel is taking on a new form and looking for a fresh start.

Jeff Rychel, a manager of high-rise buildings, says he is now the sole owner of Rainbow Village Travel. He says the company, is entirely new and separate from Rainbow High Travel, which operated under the umbrella company

Jeeves Travel (Weston).

Rychel has retained most of Rainbow High Travel’s previous employees, including two former directors of Jeeves Travel, John Wilkie and Seamus James Butterly. Both had left as directors earlier this year. Rainbow Village Travel will remain in the same space on Church Street that Rainbow High occupied.

On Oct 30, Xtra reported that three ex-contractors who claimed they hadn’t been paid were suing Rainbow High Travel. Two of those cases are still being heard, while one was resolved in a settlement conference in October.

The results of the settlement cannot be made public.

A fourth claimant, Alan Beck, alleged that Liz Devine, now the sole owner of Jeeves Travel, borrowed $2,000 to pay off a $30,000 shortfall and failed to pay it back. Beck has since told Xtra that

he will be dropping his claim because he and Devine reached a settlement outside of court.

Devine told Xtra in an email that undisclosed health issues forced her to take a break from the company over the summer, which subsequently necessitated a reorganization of the company. She confirmed that the new company would assume the lease on the Church Street space for the final month and would be operational as soon as possible. Devine did not elaborate on future plans for Rainbow High or Jeeves Travel.

When Xtra met with Rychel and his staff on Dec 1, they were already selling travel packages but said that as of Dec 9, they would begin operating under the wing of travel consortium Travel Plus.

Though Rychel is the first to admit he has no experience in the travel business, he is excited about owning the company.

He says he had no previous involvement in Rainbow High and became involved only when he heard from his friend Wilkie that he might be looking to leave the company during the summer and start a new business.

According to Butterly, who is in charge of marketing and promotions, a lack of confidence in the ownership of the business began to trickle down to employees, some of whom began to look for other work.

When asked about staff members’ concerns, Devine said that they had urged her to take the summer off to focus on her health. “I appreciated the place where that encouragement and concern came from and would have understood if anyone had chosen to seek employment elsewhere,” she says. “However, everyone pitched in and stayed, and I hope that there will be a successful

Rainbow Village Travel, a new travel company, is operating out of the space once occupied by Rainbow High Travel with most of the same staff.

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transition over the next few weeks.”

“I did want to invest in my own company,” Rychel says of starting Rainbow Village. “Something in the community — I looked at this as a viable option.” Butterly adds that it is important that the LGBT community have its own travel agency that can offer vetted and assured travel options, including ones that understand the needs of HIV-positive travellers.

Discussions about forming a new company that would employ former Rainbow High staff started in late September, according to Rychel, who provided Xtra with a corporation number for the new company.

Devine says that there are still some agreeements to be signed.

In addition to retaining most of the old staff, Bob Bezanson, who worked briefly for Rainbow High in the summer while Devine was away on medical leave, is joining the company as the general manager. In an email, Bezanson says that they have no pending agreements left with Devine but are working through transitional issues as they take over the old Rainbow High space.

The new team is now focused on renewing confidence in Rainbow Village and expanding their services to the broader downtown Toronto community, Rychel says.

VANDALISM

Vandals target shop with homophobic graffiti Toronto police are investigating a case of homophobic vandalism on Bloor Street West that may be connected to a series of incidents that have taken place in Toronto’s west end over the last couple of years.

On Dec 3, InsideToronto reported that Trove, a clothing store in Bloor West Village, had been vandalized repeatedly.

Over the summer, vandals had twice used rubber cement and cardboard to cover a Pride sticker displayed in the store’s front window. Carolyn Eby, the co-owner of the Trove chain of stores, tells Xtra that it was done so meticulously the cardboard covered the sticker perfectly. “Our reaction to that was to make a larger sign,” she says.

On Nov 29, Eby says, staff arrived to find that someone had sprayed “Be happy, not gay” in white paint on the store’s back-alley wall. Later in the weekend, the Pride sign in the front window was spray painted — but only the part of the sign that had a rainbow flag on it.

The latest incident took place Dec 8, when staff arrived at the store to find that the Pride sign had once again been covered with spray paint.

“We are extremely upset and angered

by this,” Eby says, adding that she wants to make sure her staff and clients know that Trove is a safe and inclusive place to work.

Prior to the Dec 8 incident, Detective Constable Jordan Stowell told Xtra that police had searched the area near Trove for surveillance footage that might assist them in the investigation. “From that, we are looking at some other occurrences in the area of some other graffiti to see if there is any link or any additional information that we can correlate to the incident that happened on the weekend,” Stowell says.

In 2013, Xtra reported that Sarah Harrison and Pascal Murphy, who had displayed two large Pride flags outside their west-end home not far from Trove’s Bloor Street West location, had their flags taken from their front porch; a “Celebrate Diversity” bumper sticker ripped off their car; dog feces left on their car and front yard; their car tires slashed; and graffiti spray painted in white on the sidewalk outside their house that said, “Be happy, not gay.” The incidents were ongoing over two years.

No arrests were made in that case, and the investigation is still open. Stowell

confirms that this is one of the incidents that police are looking at possibly being connected to the vandalism at Trove.

The community rallied around Harrison and Murphy in 2013. Eby says that since the incident at her store was made public, the greater Toronto community has also shown its support.

Stowell suggests that the community show solidarity in the face of this new report of homophobia. “This kind of incident is uncalled for,” he says. “What would be great is to see every business put a flag in their window in revolt against the type of crime this person is committing to say that everybody is standing together.”

Sarah Doucette, city councillor for Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park, called the incidents appalling and said she will be passing on Stowell’s comments to Paula McInerney, the chair of the Bloor West Village BIA. As for Eby, the incidents have only hardened her resolve to ensure that people know Trove is an inclusive and welcoming business. “This is somebody trying to silence us, clearly — which isn’t going to happen.” — HG Watson

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 9 14-12-08 4:15 PM

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333 SHERBOURNE STREET TORONTO, ON M5A 2S5

416-324-4103 • WWW.SHERBOURNE.ON.CA

LGBT HEALTH

TRANS PARTNER NETWORK STARTS JANUARY 2015 – SIGN UP OPEN

TPN is hosting a free workshops series for partners, lovers, spouses or significant others of Trans*, genderqueer and non-binary spectrum people. If you are interested in meeting up with other partners to share, explore, and reflect in a structured, supportive and creative environment, contact us at info@transpartnernetwork.com or call Laura at 416-324-4100 ext. 5096.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN GROUP – ALTERNATING FRIDAYS AT 1PM

Craig Head, ABR

LGBTQ FAMILY PLANNING COURSES

Specializing in Condos Throughout Yorkville & Downtown

Learn to cook easy meals that are healthy and low cost! Meet new people, talk about food and health, and have fun! It’s free! For details, dates and to sign up, contact Jessica at 416-324-4100 ext. 5250.

Sales Representative Office: 416.481.6137 www.CraigHead.ca Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage

Are you considering parenthood? Do you want to explore practical, emotional, social, and legal issues? Are you interested in meeting other LGBTQ prospective parents?

More information and registration: lgbtqpn.ca/courses Daddies & Papas 2B February 18-May 6, 2015 Emphasizes adoption and surrogacy as two pathways to parenthood for gay, bi, and queer men.

Dykes Planning Tykes Weekend Intensive April 17-19, 2015 Emphasizes donor insemination and adoption as two pathways to parenthood for lesbian, gay, bi, and queer-identified women and their partners.

Supporting Our Youth (SOY) seeks to improve the quality of life for LGBT youth (up to 29) through the active involvement of adults working together with youth. Working within an anti-oppression framework, SOY develops initiatives that build skills and capacities, provide mentoring and support, and nurture a sense of identity and belonging.

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Thinking about holiday gifts?

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Your support helps us sustain and grown our programs for LGBTQ spectrum youth.

Make your gift at http://sherbourne.on.ca/donate/

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SOY will be closed from December 29, 2014 to January 2, 2015. We’ll be back January 5, 2015!

Closures for SOY weekly drop-in groups: Monday Night Drop-In will not run on Monday, December 29.

Alphabet Soup will not run on Tuesday, December 23 or December 30.

Express will not run on Tuesday, December 23 or December 30.

BQY will not run on Wednesday, December 24 or December 31.

TFC will not run on Thursday, December 25 and January 1.

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Queer & Trans Family Planning February 18-May 6, 2015 Offered as a 12 Week Course for the first time! For people of diverse family structures and identities and their partners and intended co-parents.

Supporting Our Youth Supporting Our Youth

Not sure where to begin?

Call us today for a brief assessment 416-651-8889 www.immigrationservices.ca

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@soy_toronto

Successful Clients

David LeBlanc, Bruce Ferreira-Wells, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants RCIC – ICCRC

10 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Hai dppayy s H o l from

GET UP TO

Hot spots and wet wipes

Tips for cruising Toronto’s parks by car after dark CAR CRUISING MIKE VICHNITCHKINE

If gay sex were photography, Grindr would be a smartphone camera, ready to shoot at any given moment. Hooking up after a night at Fly would be a point-and-shoot: ­reliable, simple, no muss, no fuss. But cruising by car?

Car cruising is the strange joy of loading film into a camera, taking a few snaps and hoping for the best. You never know what you’ll get until things develop, but you might find something truly beautiful. Or at the least, sexy, sweaty and a lot of fun.

So what do you say? For old time’s sake?

Grab a few wet wipes, hop in the car and check out these outdoor winter hotspots.

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Taylor Creek Park

Head north up Don Mills and hang a right just past O’Connor. The first parking lot you come to is where you want to be, and you’ll want to be there after dark. Leave your lights on to let inquiring minds know you’re available. The cops might come through once in a while, so you’ll want to keep it discreet after you’ve found someone. Be a welcoming host and let him hop in the passenger seat so you can turn out the lights and have yourself a good time.

G Ross Lord Park

If you ever find yourself in the frozen wastelands of North York after dark, this is your best bet. Enter the parking lot from the east side of Dufferin Street, just north of Finch, and keep an eye out. Once night falls, G Ross can be a popular spot for all the uptown suburbanite homos. Keep in mind that this place can be poorly lit, which is aces for evading detection but makes for poor orienteering, so keep track of where you’re going!

Cruising can be fun, but it’s also a risk. Of course, that’s all part of the game: stay aware and always be careful when perusing the parks after dark.

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Ah, good ol’ High Park. A delightful family-fun getaway in the city by day and a treasure trove of hidden pleasures by night. Head west on Bloor Street, hang a left onto Parkside and enter the park via High Park Boulevard, on your right. Stay to the right at the fork and follow Centre Road to the lot.

If you can’t find anything there, head north; the pine trees are your best bet for a little action. Though you might want to stuff a couple of hand warmers in your pockets to keep your nether regions nice and toasty while you wait.

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Check Squirt.org, operated by the publishers of Xtra, for helpful and up-to-date information on cruising spots in the city.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 11

The Kray twins

Season’s Greetings Roy Runions

Sales Representative 416-465-7850

www.royrunions.com

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage Toronto, Ontario

ROY_XTRA_DEC_2014_v2.indd 1

2014-12-03 11:01 AM

VIDEO: Feature interview with Benedict Cumberbatch dailyxtra.com

The violent gangster brothers who ruled 1960s London fancied other men HISTORY BOYS JEREMY WILLARD

Tom Hardy is set to play not-terribly-heterosexual gangster twins in the film Legend.

To be released in 2015, the film deals with two real-life gangsters, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who dominated London’s underworld in the 1950s and ’60s.

Based on the book The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins, by John Pearson, the film covers the pair’s close relationship and their transformation from scrappy slum rats to nightclub royalty in swinging London’s swanky West End. When dishonourable discharges from the army for violent behaviour — after being jailed for going AWOL, the twins terrorized the guards, pouring feces on their heads, handcuffing them and setting fire to the bedding — and criminal records terminated their budding boxing careers, the twins made a career out of crime.

They started The Firm, the foremost organized criminal enterprise in London at that time. The gang’s CV included armed robbery, arson, racketeering and assault. They gradually took over the booming nightclub scene in the West End, and by the early 1960s, the twins were making what would today amount to almost $18 million Canadian.

Ronnie was probably schizophrenic and certainly gay. Laurie O’Leary, author of A Man Among Men, a biography of Ronnie Kray, says that the gang had few objections to Ronnie’s sexual orientation. “Even if they objected, Ron just smiled at them and told them they didn’t know what they were missing,” O’Leary says in a 2001 interview with The Guardian.

“Ron discussed his homosexuality with only a very few people, but put simply it was a part of his nature he discovered, explored and enjoyed,” O’Leary says. “He was at ease with it. It did not seem to conflict with his ‘tough guy’ image or cause him any problems on any level.”

Reggie’s orientation is harder to pin down. There were many indicators that he might also be gay, or at least bisexual.

Recently, Freddie Foreman (now 83), a former enforcer of The Firm, claimed that Reggie was actually gay and that Reggie’s marriage to Frances Shea was a sham. “That poor girl was a trophy

Ronnie Kray was certainly gay, though his twin brother, Reggie, is a little harder to pin down. SISSYDUDE

wife, nothing more,” Foreman says in a recent interview with the Daily Mail.

“He certainly did not love her like a husband loves a wife. They never had sex.”

Shea and Reggie married in 1965.

Two years later she killed herself. It has been suggested that one of the brothers forced her to take the pills that killed her.

As club owners in the West End, the twins rubbed elbows with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and artist Francis Bacon. When a tabloid alleged that Ronnie was having a sexual relationship with Lord Boothby, a Conservative politician, threats against the paper, both physical and legal, forced the paper to back down (a 2009 BBC documentary, The Gangster and the Perverted Peer, confirms the allegations about Ronnie and Boothby).

It was an example to other media outlets: don’t mess with the Kray twins.

Fear of scandal discouraged the Conservative Party from pushing very hard for any investigation into the Krays.

This along with the pair’s growing celebrity only encouraged them.

In Ronnie’s autobiography, My Story, he wrote, “they were the best years of

our lives. They called them the swinging sixties. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were rulers of pop music, Carnaby Street ruled the Fashion world . . . and me and my brother ruled London.

We were fucking untouchable.”

Then one day Reggie decided to kill Jack “The Hat” McVitie, who had failed to fulfill a contract to kill somebody for the Krays. Allegedly egged on by his brother, Reggie invited McVitie to a party that wasn’t actually happening, and when McVitie arrived, Reggie tried to shoot him in the head. The gun didn’t fire, so he stabbed McVitie to death. In 1969 the twins were sentenced to life in prison.

“I’m certain that Ronnie had lovers inside prison,” O’Leary says.

Ronnie died of a heart attack in 1995 at Broadmoor Hospital, where he was held after being certified insane. Reggie was released from prison in 2000, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

He died soon after.

Foreman, who was convicted of getting rid of McVitie’s body, is advising Hardy on how to play the twins for Legend, from Reggie’s “quizzical look” to Ronnie’s tendency to “stare into space.”

12 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

ACTION Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, Cynthia Pederson, Doug Elliott and Helen Kennedy at the annual Egale gala. EGALE

On our side Egale Canada continues the fight for LGBT rights SERAFIN LARIVIÈRE It’s impossible to forget the exultation that greeted the legalization of same-sex marriage here in Canada. Suddenly the tide had turned, and we had prevailed against the bigots, the churches and anyone else who wanted us to live and die as second-class citizens. But it’s important to remember that our quest for equality didn’t — and doesn’t — end there.

Egale Canada hasn’t lost sight of this.

Since 1986, the national charity has been fighting battles both big and small on behalf of LGBT people across the country. And if daily headlines about our queer kids being bullied, kicked out and killing themselves sometimes seem endless, a quick perusal of Egale’s website shows a wide array of campaigns and initiatives that are tackling these and many more issues head-on.

High among these is the group’s Safe Schools Campaign, a particularly poignant effort for those of us who were bullied out of an education. Egale actually conducted the country’s first national survey on homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Canadian schools. The results weren’t terribly encouraging, with two-thirds feeling unsafe at school and 20 percent experiencing physical harassment due to their perceived orientation or gender identity.

“Once we’ve done the statistical legwork, we can look at how we’re going to actually effect change,” says Helen Kennedy, Egale’s executive director. “From that survey we’ve developed a series of programs that are particularly education-focused and have trained about 10,000 teachers in the last two years.”

Another of Egale’s tools in helping these kids is the MyGSA website (mygsa.ca), where students, parents, teachers and administrators can learn about starting gaystraight alliances at their schools. They also

work with parents and educators to identify LGBT kids who may be at risk for suicide.

“We held our first suicide-prevention summit two years ago,” Kennedy says.

“One of the results was our development of a protocol with coroners across the country for questions to be asked at the scene to identify LGBT suicides. Currently in Canada, we don’t ask questions about the person’s potential sexual orientation or gender identity and if it may have had a role in their death.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Egale has also been active in helping LGBT seniors as they face new and challenging lives in care homes and treatment centres, organizing focus groups to determine the issues facing older community members.

“It’s definitely one of our priority areas,” Kennedy says. “It’s a generation that’s predominantly lived through various degrees of discrimination. Some have spent their whole lives advocating for equal rights, and now they find themselves having to go back into the closet because the system is not equipped to deal with their individual needs.”

These programs, along with others concerning trans rights, immigration, queer families and the reporting of homophobic violence are costly, and the organization has had to work hard to maintain both awareness and donations after the pivotal marriage victory.

“We’re always struggling to keep the lights on,” Kennedy says. “The big struggle for us is to reach our community and help people realize that, yes, we have marriage in our country, but there is still a long way to go.”

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 13

XTRA’S

Y A D I L O H

GURITD2E PA

We’ve assembled a gift guide full of gems and absurdities And have serious doubts you’ll ever even have heard of these Like a marzipan pig, fuzzy jock and buttless underoos Berzerker alarm clock and bike wine rack, too This is part two of our guide and if it doesn’t appeal If we’ve made no impression with our gift-hunting zeal Then we’re afraid you may be left on your own But at least you’ll have enjoyed this ridiculous little poem —Jeremy Willard

DISARONNO WEARS VERSACE

Designed by Versace, this limited-edition bottle of Disaronno liqueur is great for anyone who likes to get tipsy in style. $30 lcbo.com

PHILIPS SHAVER 9000 A shaver so high tech, you might as well have a cyborg trim your whiskers. Includes a head that moves in eight directions and a pod that both cleans and charges. $300 canadiantire.ca

ANDREW CHRISTIAN COOLFLEX RETRO BRIEF JOCK These undies are made of super-soft fabric and resist fading and shrinking — because your boy and shrinkage don’t mix. $34 Out on the Street, 551 Church St outonthestreet.ca

GIFT JAR

With Vega products for pre- and post-workout and 10 percent of proceeds going to Fife House, the Fuel Plus gift jar keeps on giving. $25 Fuel Plus, 471 Church St fuelplus.ca

CLOCKY ALARM CLOCK ON WHEELS

Pressing snooze causes it to jump off the table and roll around the bedroom beeping until it finds a place to hide before sounding the alarm again. $55 Rolo, 24 Bellair St rolostore.com

14 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA!

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

MARZIPAN PIG

CRAVE DUET

A rare find this side of the Rhine, this traditional German treat is often given for good luck. $6.25 All the Best Fine Foods, 483 Church St allthebestfinefoods.com

Stop! We have your clitoris surrounded! Oh, wait, don’t stop.

That’s good. That’s verrry good. The Crave Duet is waterproof and USB rechargeable (you can charge it from a laptop). $165 Hanky Panky, 764 Queen St W

MORE FOOL ME

In the second volume of his memoir, Stephen Fry was offered drugs. Then the book ended. The third volume picks up the tale, detailing his narcotic-fuelled misadventures in the late 1980s and early ’90s. $38 Glad Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge St gladdaybookshop.com

FLESHLIGHT LAUNCHPAD

Attach any Fleshlight to the easy-to-grip platform, add an iPad (versions 2 to 4) and enjoy a surreal and new approach to sex play and porn. $30 Come As You Are, 493 Queen St W comeasyouare.com

HARLOT’S GUIDE TO CLASSY COCKTAILS

BICYCLE WINE RACK

Made in Montreal, this leather rack attaches to most frames. Note: we do not advise drinking while biking. $40 BYOB, 972 Queen St W byobto.com

Delicious drink recipes and trashy drinking stories from some of the world’s most beloved drag queens, including Toronto’s Carlotta Carlisle. $ 32 hardcover, $9 iTunes harlotsguide.com

STOREFRONT

HANDSHAKE MASTURBATION CREAM

You lock the door, turn on your computer and drizzle this oilbased cream all over your cock.

It seems to melt as it touches you. You take hold of your throbbing rod and spank it like it owes you somethin’. $13 Out on the Street, 551 Church St outonthestreet.ca

WEEKENDER BAG

Surely the perfect leather bag. Made in Montreal from thick, full-grain, Italian leather, with an interior spacious enough to hold all the essentials for a weekend in the country.

Frank and Oak, 735 Queen St W $335 frankandoak.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

HOLIDAY DINNER AT CHURCH BISTRO

On Christmas Day enjoy a fixed-price dinner — roast beef, seabass fish and chips, roasted turkey or butter chicken — with either a glass of wine or a pint of beer. $35 Church Bistro, 555 Church St churchbistro.com

XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 15

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE MEOW MEOW TANK TOP

This spooky kitty design is printed on 100-percent cotton American Apparel shirts — a unisex tank top suitable for summer fun, sleeping or the gym. $30 Model Citizen, 279 Augusta Ave meowmeowindustries.com

DRAGON AGE: INQUISITION

Cremisius “Krem” Aclassi is lieutenant of The Bull’s Chargers and a badass mercenary in the Tevinter Imperium. He’s also a transgender man. This surprisingly inclusive fantasy RPG is rife with queers. $70 ebgames.ca

HOLIDAY READS

MOUNTIE ADULT ONESIE

Cute, patriotic and ready for bed. Give this locally designed unisex onesie to somebody you want to keep warm on the long winter nights. $39 drakegeneralstore.ca

Red Hot 100 $95 This One Summer $19 The Art of Asking $30 The Men of Inked Kenny $65 Glad Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge St gladdaybookshop.com

STOREFRONT

BOBBY SKULL SOAP

Made in France, this spooky little cutie contains 24-carat gold powder, organic vegetable oils and frankincense (how festive!). $22 Art 27, 899 Queen St W art27.ca

SANDALWOOD COLOGNE

Gravity Pope carries this and a range of other scents from the Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, one of the world’s oldest pharmacies. $135–155 Gravity Pope, 1010 Queen St W gravitypope.com

WE-VIBE 4 PLUS DUTIL DENIM SHOP

What is more comfortable than denim? Since opening its first concept store in Vancouver in 2006, dutil Denim Shop has been making its name in the world of premium denim. Not only are dutil’s denim lines comfortable to wear, but the experience of finding just the right pair is surprisingly comfortable as well. Dutil’s spacious Queen Street West location has a focused team that prides itself in making everyone feel at home in the sometimes stressful process of buying jeans. “Denim is one of the greatest forces in fashion in the past century,” says store manager Kaitlin Churcher, “and dutil is the destination.”

704 Queen St W, dutildenim.com

16 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA!

The future is here, and it’s vibrating your vagina from the other side of the planet. The We-Vibe 4 Plus can be controlled by your international playmates via a downloadable app. $180 Good for Her, 175 Harbord St goodforher.com

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

The World’s Oldest LGBTQ Bookshop

BEAR JOCK

This soft and fuzzy jockstrap is made locally

by Raw Studio. Because bears are actually just adorable. $30 The Men’s Room, 465 Church St shopthemensroom.com

GLAD DAY BOOKSHOP

Large enough to make an impression but designed for comfortable all-day wear in jockey shorts, jockstraps and packing shorts. Available in white, brown and black. $20 Stag Shop, 532 Church St stagshop.com

Custom designs. Ethically sourced. Made in Cabbagetown.

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UBER TORUS TENSION-SET RING WITH SIRIUS STAR CANADIAN DIAMOND

WATERLESS AMARYLLIS

The only care this flower requires is that you take care to leave it alone (it requires no water). $30 Ladybug Florist, 513 Church St ladybugflorist.com

WORMWOOD ABSINTHIUM CREAM

This Prospector Co product contains no artificial additives or colourings and leaves skin feeling refreshed but not oily. $40 Easy Tiger Goods, 1447 Dundas St W easytigergoods.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM OM

XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 17

18 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Outinthe he City ty

When we finish our shift at the workshop, we usually strip down to our undies and have a good ol’ elven twerk-off. Zak the elf 33

REGENCY-ERA GENDER PLAY

Hallie Burt and Kate Werneburg have somehow managed to make their original theatrical adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice sexy.

Burt says the sexiness is all in the tension that results from holding back. “You did not touch anyone then and if you did, you had a glove on,” she says. “It’s like all I can do is talk very properly to you, but all I want to do is rip your clothes off.”

This makes for an exciting version of the story, especially since this is a two-woman production, with Burt and Werneburg playing all the parts.

With Burt, who identifies as lesbian, as Elizabeth Bennet and Werneburg playing Mr Darcy, the love story takes on a novel appeal. “Kate and I are good friends and we’re very competitive, so it wasn’t hard to find that tension,” Burt says.

They’ve also made the character Charlotte Lucas a lesbian (she has often been speculated to be so). They never explicitly state it in the play or try to make Charlotte, played by Werneburg, somehow seem lesbian in spite of the gender switch — the adaptation is too true to Austen’s story for that — but this understanding of Charlotte’s orientation has in subtle ways guided how they’ve developed that character.

Burt and Werneburg didn’t alter the genders to make some grand argument, although they’re happy to have other people find some gender-

Ari Weinberg and Michael Hughes as Carol Burnett and Carol Channing.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS Kate Werneburg and Hallie Burt in Elizabeth–Darcy: An Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. DAHLIA KATZ

related enlightenment in the plot. It was more that they’re good friends and wanted to perform in a play together and both happen to be female. They also wanted to take on the challenge of playing both female and male parts and do it well enough that audiences wouldn’t object. — Jeremy Willard

Elizabeth–Darcy: An Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice runs Thurs, Dec 18–Sun, Dec 21, various showtimes, at Campbell House, 160 Queen St W. elizabethdarcy.brownpapertickets.com

Smells like Christmas spirit Grunge music probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind during the holidays, but the ladies of Hervana are hoping to change that.

“We wanted to do something fun and different,” lead singer Carly Beath says. “It’s the end of the year, it’s the holiday season, and two of us have birthdays on Dec 16. So it seemed like a lot of good reasons to throw a party.”

Beath and her bandmates are holding their first annual December Blowout Bash, featuring performances of their trademark Nirvana covers, lots of classic grunge from the 1990s and early 2000s, and an appearance by fellow rockers blue cougars.

The celebration marks the end of a whirlwind year and a half, all of which started with a single Twitter post.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

Dave Grrrl, Miss Novoselic, Pap Smear and Skirt Cobain. RANNIE TURINGAN

“I saw a tweet in my feed [suggesting an all-female Nirvana tribute band], and I got really excited by the idea of actually making it happen,” Beath says. “So I pulled in some people I knew and had played music with before in various projects. We

started playing together in mid2013 and played our first show in March 2014.”

The band has lined up a number of high-profile gigs, including playing at the Drake Underground and at WorldPride.

“Playing WorldPride this year was really an honour,” Beath says. “I ran into Laura Jane Grace on the street and had a bit of a fangirl moment getting my picture taken with her.”

Hervana has been vocal in its support of women’s rights, something that Beath sees as being in line with the music and image of their source band.

“Nirvana were really great allies,” Beath says. “They played some really important fundraisers for feminist causes, and Kurt [Cobain] was always very vocal about his support.

He said once that women were the future of rock ’n’ roll, so I hope that he would have been pleased at the idea of Hervana.” — JP Larocque The December Blowout Bash is Sat, Dec 13 at Hard Luck Bar, 772 Dundas St W. hervanatheband.com

Ari Weinberg and Michael Hughes never quite seem to be on the same page. It’s a Christmas tradition dating back to when they were invited to perform as part of Sharron and George’s Super Fun Christmas Sing-Along in 2012.

“Michael came up with this idea of the Christmas Carols, and we had this miscommunication that because it was a sing-along we thought it was a Christmas event where we had to come as our favourite Carols,” Weinberg says. “So he was in drag as Christmas Carol Burnett and I was Christmas Carol Channing.”

That first year they sang songs related to their respective Carols: “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from Gentleman Prefer Blondes, “Little Girls” from Annie and then “We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame.

When they came back the second year as their favourite Carols for the sing-along, their luck hadn’t improved. A vague suggestion of Weinberg’s resulted in Hughes dressing in a giant cooked turkey suit.

“I was still in drag,” Hughes says. “I had four-inch heels on and you could only see my eyes, nose and mouth, and I was blind.”

This year’s sing-along will include performances by Sharron Matthews and George Masswohl, of course, and many other guests, including Thom Allison, Micah Barnes, Bruce Dow and Gavin Crawford.

Hughes and Weinberg are tightlipped about what their act will entail this year, but audiences can expect something to go hilariously wrong. “I think we know what the miscommunication will be,” Hughes says. “Usually, it’s a result of him going overboard and I roll my eyes and get annoyed. We just pump that up and do it in stockings and heels.” — Jeremy Willard Sharron and George’s Super Fun Christmas Sing-Along runs Fri, Dec 19–Sun, Dec 21, 7pm, at Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com

XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 19

GIRL IN SHINING ARMOUR Cameron Esposito talks side mullets, touring and the video that made her a superstar COMEDY RYAN ENGLISH

25th Annual

Christmas Eve

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF TORONTO

Cameron Esposito is no longer an up-and-coming comedian. The gifted, needle-sharp quipster has officially arrived with her new comedy album, Same Sex Symbol. She is currently on tour in support of the record and has appeared on both Conan and Craig Ferguson’s The Late Late Show. Recently Esposito, thanks to the help of BuzzFeed, produced a video series that has garnered millions of hits on YouTube titled Ask a Lesbian.

Xtra spoke with Esposito about her new record, touring and how her side mullet is enjoying major league success in the comedy world.

invites you to our annual Christmas Eve Celebration featuring traditional Christmas music, The Choir of MCC Toronto with guest performers

XTRA: How is success treating you? Did your side mullet have a good time at the Craig Ferguson and Conan tapings?

Celebration December 24, 10:30 PM Auditorium Doors Open at 10:00 pm Christmas Carols begin at 10:15 pm

Comedian Cameron Esposito MANDEE JOHNSON

AT

Thom Allison & Broadsway

By P. Rothstein With musical arrangements by E. Lichte and T. C. Takach

(featuring Heather Bambrick, Julie Michels and Diane Leah)

and a Christmas message offered by

Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes

Childcare Provided Wheelchair Accessible ASL Interpreted

FOR TICKETS CONTACT Roy Thomson Hall Box Office

416-872-4255

www.mcctoronto.com/christmaseve

20 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA!

Tickets $25 in advance $30 at the door

fortechorus.ca

CAMERON ESPOSITO: Oh, thanks

for asking! Well, I’m mostly just a ball of nerves trying to figure out my next move. Standup is one of those sharklike professions where you just have to keep moving or you’ll sink. So, I’m on the road a lot and writing a lot and watching a fair amount of the Property Brothers on Netflix.

Can you talk about what it’s like being queer and gigging in clubs? Do you have to develop a thick skin?

All comics have to walk onstage with some serious armour and TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

also try to balance that with ease and fun. My sexuality works to my benefit onstage. I’m still unique on most lineups or most clubs, and it creates another thing to get past when connecting with mostly straight, mostly male audiences.

JaDe Wallace a lesbian erotica novel

Can you talk about the process of writing Same Sex Symbol?

I toured for years honing that material, and it was just ready to be recorded. My first album, Grab Them Aghast, was more of a race to get something out there. This felt natural and inevitable.

Who are your influences in comedy?

I love Maria Bamford’s honesty and stage presence, TJ Miller’s confidence and ability to go with the

My sexuality works to my benefit onstage. moment, Kyle Kinane’s persona and Sarah Silverman’s delivery, among many others.

AvAilAble At:

amazon.ca Glad Day Bookshop (598 Yonge St, toronto) Good for Her (175 Harbord St, toronto) Download your FRee e-book on amazon.ca Nov 27-28 or Dec 10-12

How did your Ask a Lesbian video come about?

I approached BuzzFeed with the idea, expecting maybe 100 responses. We got over 3,000 questions.

They presented me with 40 and I took it from there. Symbiosis!

You talk about being a theology major in college. Did you have support in taking a less academic direction with your career?

My parents were certainly surprised when I dropped out of grad school to fully commit to standup, but they’ve always been extremely supportive.

What do you love so much about Portland?

It’s a flat-out great comedy town — lots of local culture and folks who like to go out and see live performance. And everyone there has my haircut.

Congratulations on your engagement and your brilliant new album. How are you enjoying touring? Do you have any advice for aspiring queer comics?

Touring is amazing, exhausting and a dream come true. And my advice is the same for all comics — do the work. When you think you have worked hard enough, work harder.

Then repeat. cameronesposito.com MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

QUEER CONFESSIONS: AN LGBTQ MEMOIR READING SERIES Queer Confessions is a monthly Toronto-based LGBTQ memoir reading series that seeks to foster memoir writing in a supportive environment, and build community through storytelling. We are committed to showcasing diverse voices and experiences, including established, emerging, and beginner writers. Readings take place the first Thursday of every month at the 519 Community Centre in Toronto, and start at 8:00pm.

SEND US YOUR SUBMISSIONS!

We all have a story (or two, or three) to tell, so please consider submitting one of yours! No experience necessary!

Check website for monthly themes. Please include with your submission: the story (10 min max), your bio (50 words max), and the theme you are submitting for. Send your submissions to: queerconfessionstoronto@gmail.com

www.queerconfessions.com LIKE us on FACEBOOK: Queer Confessions

XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 21

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GIFTED GROOMING Giving good face to the one you love

STYLE LIFE DIEGO ARMAND

If you’re at a loss on what to give your near and dear this season, consider the gift of grooming. Nothing says “treat yo’self” like spa-worthy goods — but stay away from products that are too specific (aka anti-aging). Stick to the fundamentals: soaps, scents, oils and lotions. Pretty shouldn’t hurt, but the winter does; I’ve gathered my favourites to keep you and yours clean and mean during this harsh season.

STORE FINDER The Cure Apothecary: 719 Queen St W thecureapothecary.com Hair on the Avenue: 112 Avenue Rd hairontheavenue.ca Medulla & Co: 809 Queen St W medullaco.com The Men’s Room: 467 Church St shopthemensroom.com Nomad: 819 Queen St W nomadshop.net

*made in Toronto

22 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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GO BIG OR GO HOME

1

Côte&Ciel lagoon spa pouch*, $120. This neoprene travel bag comes with a waterproof zipper and a clear poke-out pouch for anything you need to show at airport security. Nomad

2

TO112 hand/body soap & lotion, $21. Made with tamanu and coconut oil. Medulla & Co, Hair on the Avenue

3

Urban Beard Butter, $30. This non-greasy vegan moisturizer has a matte finish and a minty scent. The Men’s Room

4

North Standard pomade, $18. This lavender-scented, medium-hold pomade is made in the owner’s kitchen. The Cure Apothecary

5

Sans lip aid, $14. Made with mango butter, papaya enzymes and carrot-seed oil.

You can also use it to soften your cuticles before a mani-pedi.

The Cure Apothecary

ON TOUR

6

Sans body exfoliant, $56. This delicate formula contains bamboo grounds and exfoliates without causing inflammation. Also smooths out rough, winter-bitten lips. The Cure Apothecary

7

Pharrell Williams Commes des Garçons Girl fragrance, $17. This woodsy, floral, spicy collabo is great for both boys and girls. Nomad

8

Triumph & Disaster On the Road kit, $64. Includes face and body wash, shaving cream and moisturizer. The Cure Apothecary

9

Rebels Refinery lip balm, $10. The packaging of this allnatural lip balm is the most. Made with coconut, sweet almond oil and vitamin E. The Men’s Room

10

Rebels Refinery black organic oil bar soap*. $12.

The Men’s Room

11

Heeley Hippie Rose eau de parfum, $185. With notes of Italian bergamot, green moss and Bulgarian rose, this is a great scent for a man or a woman.

Nomad

12

Aromacentric After Party aroma therapy, $32.

This blend of peppermint and rosemary will give you the kick you need after a night of holiday drinking. The Cure Apothecary

13

Troubadour Goods toiletry bag, price upon request. Handcrafted in Italy with vegetable-tanned leather and a water-resistant cotton-canvas lining. Nomad

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 23

WHAT'S ON FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM

LGBTQ Peer Support Drop-In Group

The Light Fantastic December Children’s Party

Queer people with mood disorders gather for support and discussion. If the building door is locked, press the button under the intercom near the wheelchair entrance. Takes place the first and third Wednesday of each month. Wed, Dec 17, 7–9pm.

Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, Ste 602, 36 Eglinton Ave W. Free. mooddisorders.ca

This diverse event celebrates Kwanzaa, Solstice, Hanukkah and Christmas. The whole family can enjoy music, crafts, food and drinks.

Sat, Dec 13, 11am–1pm. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. the519.org

ARTS & LITERATURE

COMEDY & CABARET

Secret History of Wonder Woman

A Very Chris-Terical Christmas Cabaret

LEISURE & PLEASURE

Jill Lepore reads from her book The Secret History of Wonder Woman, which tells the scandalous story of the heroine’s creation. Thurs, Dec 11, 7pm. Lillian H Smith Library, third floor, 239 College St. Free. torontopubliclibrary.ca

Dedicated to keeping the yuletide gay, Chris Tsujiuchi gets on a festive sweater and defiles beloved carols with the help of a sleighful of musical guests. Sat, Dec 13, and Sun, Dec 14, 8pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $20 advance, $25 door. buddiesinbadtimes.com

Snow Queen

Christmas Spice Merry deals on work by such artists as Stephen Andrews, Keith Cole, Maura Doyle and Fastwürms.

Prices range from $5 to $200.

Runs until Sat, Dec 20. Paul Petro Contemporary Art, 980 Queen St W. Free. paulpetro.com

Glad Day Customer Appreciation The queer bookstore invites folks to enjoy cider and eggnog and meet the store’s owners and some local authors. Fri, Dec 12, 6–9pm. Glad Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge St. Free. gladdaybookshop.com

A holiday production featuring drag performances by such stars as Bunni Lapin, Sapphire TithaReign and Nikki Chin. Fri, Dec 12, 6:30–9:30pm. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St. $25–45. snowqueen2014.ca

Christmas Camp — The Drake, Sun, Dec 14 ERIC WILLIAMS

Judy and Igby’s Christmas Camp They made a list, checked it twice, found out who was naughty and put them in a show. The House of Filth presents drag, burlesque and tarot readings. Sun, Dec 14, 9:30pm. The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St W. $10. thedrakehotel.ca

Singular Sensation: A Musical-Theatre Open Mic Jennifer Walls invites amateur crooners to perform their favourite songs accompanied by a live band.

Every Monday, 9:30pm–12:30am.

Statlers, 487 Church St. No cover. statlers.ca

Paul Bellini’s Liar Liar Pants on Fire Guests tell dubious tales and audience members are challenged to decide whether the stories are true. Wed, Dec 17, 7:30pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. No cover. pubaret.com

The Return of the Rita Carrey Duo: Carrey On Rita Carrey, Jim Carrey’s big sister, entertains with songs and stories about Growing Up Carrey. Sun, Dec 21, 7:30pm. The Flying Beaver, 488

Out and Out Club New Members’ Night The queer social club introduces potential members to its broad range of activities. Sessions are held the third Tuesday of each month.

Tues, Dec 16, 7–8pm. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. outandout.ca

SCREENINGS Spice World For their inaugural event, the Monthly Underground Female Film (MUFF) Society screens Spice World.

Thurs, Dec 11, 9pm.

The Royal Cinema, 608 College St. $8 advance, $10 door. theroyal.to

Das Fagott Mannschaft Parliament St. $10 advance, $15 door. pubaret.com

HEALTH & ISSUES Still Trying: Fertility Support Group An informal support group for queer people who are trying to conceive. Mon, Dec 15, 6:30– 8:30pm. Sherbourne Health Centre, 333 Sherbourne St. Free. lgbtqpn.ca

A classically trained but slightly unhinged electric bassoon band covers new and classic tunes. Fri, Dec 12, 8pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $10 advance, $15 door. pubaret.com

Secret History of Wonder Woman reading — Lillian H Smith Library, Thurs, Dec 11

everything is permitted SPINNING

DJ CHEZ

SPINNING

SATURDAY, DEC 20 10:00 UNTIL 3:00 COVER: $5 BEFORE MIDNIGHT, $10 AFTER PM

DJ CESAR MURILLO

AM

@ THE BLACK EAGLE 457 CHURCH ST. TORONTO, ON

WOOF! - A NIGHT OF BEARS 4 BEARS 24 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA!

SATURDAY, DEC 27 10:00 UNTIL 3:00 COVER: $5 BEFORE MIDNIGHT, $10 AFTER TH

TH

PM

AM

Church/Wellesley

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19TH 10:00PM UNTIL 3:00AM - NO COVER!

DRINK SPECIALS: LABATT’S 50 or ICEBERG VODKA - $5 TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Inside Out’s Four-Play Screening Series: Out in the Night A documentary about four young African American lesbians who, when they are confronted and sexually assaulted in NYC, find themselves charged for the murder of their attacker. Sat, Dec 13, 7:30pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W. $12, $10 members/ seniors/students. insideout.ca

SEX & BURLESQUE Spit Play Party and Live Porn Shoot Queer people of all genders and orientations shed their inhibitions (as if they had any) for a night of voyeurism and public sex. Mon, Dec 15, 8pm. Oasis Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. $15. oasisaqualounge.com

Tits for Tots Aqua Vulva, Dolly Berlin, Loca Lola and other burlesque performers shake their butts to gather toys for kids. Mon, Dec 22, 8pm–midnight.

Revival Bar, 783 College St. $20, or one unwrapped toy valued over $15. greatcanadianburlesque.ca

CLUB SCENE Thurs, Dec 11

Vocal Rehab Elyse Douglas hosts a night of karaoke queers grabbing for the mic. 10pm–2:15am. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com Thursty Thursday Sofonda Cox hosts a night of music and boozin’, with DJ X-Taci and a performance by the Ryerson in Fusion dance group. 10pm–2:30am. Fox & Fiddle, 27 Wellesley St E. No cover. foxwellesley.com

Fri, Dec 12 That Time of the Month DJs Alex and Devon throw a night of R&B, soul and pop, all sung by ladies.

10pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. No cover. henhousetoronto.com

THEATRE & BALLET The Judy Garland Christmas Show (That Never Was)

Throughout the holidays, The National Ballet of Canada performs The Nutcracker, the tale of how Marie and Misha are brought into the Sugar Plum Fairy–strewn magical world of the Nutcracker on Christmas Eve. Runs Sat, Dec 13– Sat, Jan 3, various showtimes. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St W. $25–409. coc.ca

An Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice Two women play all the roles in this original theatrical adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic tale. Runs Thurs, Dec 18–Sun, Dec 21, various showtimes. Campbell House, 160 Queen St W. $20. elizabethdarcy. brownpapertickets.com

Gertrude and Alice A workshop presentation of a play about the love between Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas. Runs Fri, Dec 19, and Sat, Dec 20, 8pm.

Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. Free; donations welcome. buddiesinbadtimes.com

Sun, Dec 14 Underbear DJ Stephen Knight spins a holiday special filled with husky men in onesies. All proceeds go to the Friends for Life Bike Rally.

5:30pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. blackeagletoronto.com Woody’s Sunday The Hollywoody Broadway Show, with Miss Conception, at 6pm; Old School, hosted by Georgie Girl, with Brooke Lynn Hytes and Sapphire Titha Reign, at 9pm; Five Smokin’ Hot Divas, hosted by Georgie Girl, with Tynomi Banks, Devine Darlin, Cassandra Moore and Vitality Black, at 11pm. DJ Blue Peter on decks.

Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

FML Monday Rotating DJs spin top 40, hip hop, dance and electro for the industry night. Presented by Mojo.

10pm. Flash, 463 Church St. flashonchurch.com

Cinderella: The Gags to Riches Family Musical

Nutcracker

Madonna-thon DJ Cajjmere Wray celebrates music from the queen of pop, with live stage performances throughout the night. 11pm­–3am.

Byzantium, 499 Church St. No cover. byz.ca

Mon, Dec 15

The Civic Light-Opera Co presents a musical tribute to Judy and other stars of yesteryear. Runs until Sun, Dec 21, various times. Zion Church Cultural Centre, 1650 Finch Ave E. $28. civiclightoperacompany.com

This year, Ross Petty’s holiday panto is a silly, drag-queen-festooned version of Cinderella. Runs until Sun, Jan 4, various showtimes. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St. $27–85. rosspetty.com

40 and dance faves. 10:30pm. Fly 2.0, 8 Gloucester St. No cover for first 150 before 11:30pm, $10 before 1am, $15 after. flyyyz.com

Tues, Dec 16 DJ Sammy Jo at Trade — Black Eagle, Sat, Dec 13

Sat, Dec 13 Bang Bang DJ Fluffy Soufflé spins top 40 and 2000s dance tracks.

10pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. $5. facebook.com/waylabarnounge Bush Beat DJs Shoegayz and Pony spin for the west-end ladies’ party.

10pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. No cover. henhousetoronto.com Sagittarius DJs Blackcat and Dickie are on decks for an old-skool jam.

Hosted by Khaji Zakiya. 10pm–3am.

Macedono Bulgarian Hall, 237 Sackville St. $5.

Business Woman’s Special DJs Nino Brown, Diego Armand and Phil V spin under the mistletoe.

Hot Santa might be there . . . or someone who looks like Santa.

10pm. Round, 152A Augusta Ave. $6. roundvenue.com Trade DJs Sammy Jo and Scooter McCreight get naughty on the decks as Mr Leatherman Toronto 2014, Brett, shows his title and A Bearded Boy entertains in the newly opened back bar. 10pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. $5 before midnight, $10 after. blackeagletoronto.com Fly Saturday DJ Sumation and other local spinsters play house, top

Bingo with a Twist DManda Tension grabs some balls and gives out prizes and surprises every Tuesday. 9pm. Pegasus, 489B Church St. No cover. pegasusonchurch.com

Wed, Dec 17 All That’s Jazz The Henry Strong Band performs snappy tunes while the groovers hit the buffet table at the Imperial Court of Toronto event.

8–11:30pm. Erotico, 461 Church St, 2nd floor. $10 donation. ticot.ca Pearle Harbour’s Ex-Mas Special Pearle Harbour revisits classic TV specials of yesteryear, with surprise cameos and impromptu musical numbers.

Featuring Kat Letwin and Marcel Dragonieri of Stevie Thunder. Runs until Thurs, Dec 18. 8pm. Videofag, 187 Augusta Ave. $15. videofag.com

DJ Fluffy Soufflé at Bang Bang — WAYLA, Sat, Dec 13 DAVID HAW

College Night Wednesday DJs Sumation and Cajjmere Wray fill the two floors with house, top 40 and dance faves. Hosted by Devine Darlin. 11pm–3am. Marquis of Granby, 418 Church St. No cover. marquisofgranby.ca

Kitty Neptune at Cherry Bomb — The Round, Sat, Dec 20

Thurs, Dec 18 T-Girl Party DJ Todd Klinck spins upstairs for an evening of socializing with T-girls, their friends and admirers. 8pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $8 before 11pm, $15 after; additional $10 for all-night VIP booth access. club120.ca Ultimate Thursday Beauty and the Bitch, with Daytona Bitch and Katinka Kature, at 9pm; Ultimate, with DJ Craig Dominic, at 10pm; Drama Queen, with Ivory Towers and guest, at 11:30pm; DJ Alex on decks all night. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. crewsandtangos.com Men’s Night DJ Chris Steinbach spins at Church Street’s newest gay bar for men. Every Thursday, 10pm.

The Lodge, 518 Church St, second level. No cover. thelodgetoronto. com The Absolut Best Chest Contest Brooke Lynn Hytes and Boa get men to show their pecs onstage for a chance to win $300 in cash prizes.

DJ Mark Falco on decks. Midnight.

Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Fri, Dec 19 Gooddaz VS Freaky Gyal DJs Blackcat, Pleasure and JJ Rock spin for the dancehall edition. Hosted

by DHK Hideo Successful and Shawtie Got Back. 10pm.

Club120, 120 Church

St. $10 before midnight, $15 after. club120.ca Best Men’s Ass Contest Georgie Girl and Carlotta Carlisle get the guys to expose their assets for a chance to win $300 in cash prizes.

DJ Mark Falco on decks. Midnight.

Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Sat, Dec 20 Les Femmes Fatales DJ Rosina Kazi spins as Madame Dainty Box hosts a night of burlesque.

Performances by Tiny B Hiney, Lisbon Maginto, Axel Blows and more. 9:30pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $20. club120.ca Cherry Bomb Holiday Jam DJs Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson throw down groove and dance tracks at this special holiday edition. Performance by Kitty Neptune; multimedia display

by Roxanne Luchak. 10pm.

The Round, 152A Augusta Ave. $5 before 11pm, $8 after. facebook.com/ cherrybombtoronto Beyoncé vs The World DJs Mary Mack and Bro (of Bro & Sis) spin Beyoncé tracks and more for a fundraising party for Younger Than Beyoncé Gallery, a temporary art space opening in 2015. 10pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. $5 or PWYC. henhousetoronto.com AXmas at the Courthouse D Alex spins K and J-pop, top-40 remixes, EDM and vocal house for the holiday edition. Performances

by Sofonda Cox, Persuasion and

the AX Maximus Go Go Troupe.

10pm. Courthouse, 57 Adelaide St E. $10 before 11:30pm, $15 after. meetmeatax.com

Sun, Dec 21 12 Queens of Christmas Blowout Show The Hollywoody Broadway Show, with Miss Conception, at 6pm; Old School, hosted by Georgie Girl, with Amanda Roberts, Carlotta Carlisle and Brooke Lynn Hytes, at 9pm; Five Smokin’ Hot Divas, hosted

by Georgie Girl, with Devine Darlin, Cassandra Moore, Teran Blake, Jada Hudson and Lexi Tellings, at 11pm.

DJ Blue Peter on decks. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Mon, Dec 22 Woody’s Monday DJ Blue Peter spins for the dodgeball league social. 8pm. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Tues, Dec 23 Varsity Tuesday Sofonda Cox hosts the amateur So You Think You Can Strip? competition, with $100 in cash up for grabs. 11pm.

Remington’s, 379 Yonge St. $5 before 11pm, $7 after; no cover with student ID before 11pm, $2 after. remingtons.com

Wed, Dec 24 Back to the ’90s DJ Truewind spins retro faves for the Hump Day partiers. 8pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. crewsandtangos.com

Submit your event listing to listings@dailyxtra.com.

Deadline for the Dec 25 issue is Tues, Dec 16.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 25

“O N E OF THE M OST IM P ORTA NT STORIES OF THE L AST C E NTU R Y IS

O NE OF THE GR EAT EST MOVIES OF THE YE AR ” NEW YORK OBSERVER

AT TITUDE

METRO

GAYTIMES

RADIO TIMES

WINNER

DEEP DISH

BY ROLYN CHAMBERS

Bloor Street Entertains TUES, NOV 25 @ THE ROM

toronto international film festival ®

GQ

2014 GROLSCH PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF ALAN TURING BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH KEIRA KNIGHTLEY

T H E I M I TAT I O N G A M E EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT STARTS AT CINEPLEX VARSITY CINEMAS

F R I DAY !

A long time ago, dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Tonight their bones soar above us at the Royal Ontario Museum for the 18th annual Bloor Street Entertains afterparty, Crash the Crystal. Hopefully, sometime in the near future AIDS, too, will be a thing of the past.

Until that time, organizations like CANFAR are necessary to spearhead research. One way of funding this important group is by attending the annual $1,000-a-plate charity dinner created by renowned chefs like Momofuku’s Sam Gelman, Table 17’s John Sinopoli, Buca’s Rob Gentile and The Harbord Room’s Cory Vitiello at more than 20 upscale BloorYorkville venues, including Boss, Bur-berry, Harry Rosen, Mulberry, Tiffany & Co and Roots. To date, CANFAR and the hundreds who attend have raised more than $18 million.

One such diner is Olympian Mark Tewksbury, who, even though he and his partner, Rob Mabee, are mingling with the masses, makes a video greeting on a big screen erected in the main hall as guests — including philanthropist Salah Bachir, designer Glenn Dixon, TV personality David Dixon, fashion industry icon Jeanne Beker, designer duo Jim Searle and Chris Tyrell, TD’s Al Ramsay and partner Michael Daniels, Eatertainment’s Sebastien Centner and wife Sheila, Bustle design couple Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow — listen, drinks in hand. A live band has feet tapping to swing music before a DJ takes over and moves us forward several decades to get the crowd going. And going they get. Two guys throw themselves at each other wildly as they pretend the dancefloor is a mosh pit, two other guys grind up against each other thinking perhaps they’re on the dancefloor of Fly nightclub, and two tuxedoed elderly gay

men record all of it on a camera phone. The night has erupted into a sight from which not even the bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex can distract.

1 Al & Michael 2 Ruth & Shawn 3 Rob Mabee & Mark Tewksbury 4 Sheila & Sebastien 5 Barbie & Glenn

Classic House SAT, OCT 11 & FRI, NOV 14 @ HOUSE-MAISON

Not so long ago, the 120-yearold Victorian at 580 Church St housed two businesses. Now that Renda Abdo has taken over both sides, the two halves have been smartly renovated and reunited as House-Maison.

With three restaurants within walking distance of each other in the Village under her ownership (Wish, Smith and now House-Maison), Abdo is like the Donald Trump of the Village, except with much more hair (tonight she has a gorgeous blonde named Nadia on her arm). Known for trying out new venues, Gairy Brown has jumped at the opportunity to throw a Prism party in HouseMaison. Classic House brings back the tracks many who are here tonight cut our teeth on when we first ventured into the gay club scene. Former actor/ drag performer and now homerenovation expert Alexander Chapman (aka Titi Galore) is enjoying the old-school beats of DJ Cory Activate alongside ex-Fly nightclub co-owner Ian Malcolm, Guvernment lighting technician Alex Korittko and Pink Panther party boy Charles Pavia. It’s mature yet fresh, manly yet swishy. Unfortunately, the crowd isn’t quite big enough to open the second half of the second floor. And not even the welcome sight of Brown in his trademark “sunglasses at night look” can distract from this fact.

1 4

8

6 Paco 7 Nadia & Renda 8 DJ Cory Activate & Alex 9 Walther, Sly, Charles & Alex 10 Gairy, Abed & Amar

Deep Dish appears in every other issue of Xtra. For this week’s Xposed column, by Anna Pournikova, go to dailyxtra.com.

26 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA!

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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A world of gay adventure

Travel Snap up a stateroom on an LGBT cruise and sail off into the sunset

Cruising through winter AEFA MULHOLLAND

It’s that time of year again when those of us in chillier lands eagerly eye outbound flights and temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s the perfect time to snap up a stateroom onboard one of the enticing LGBT cruises about to sail off into the sunset. This winter has some wonderful escapes on offer for lesbians and gay men, from a luxurious Amazonian riverboat adventure set for deepest Peru to the marvellous mayhem of two itineraries that coincide with the greatest LGBT carnival of them all, Sydney Mardi Gras.

Panama Canal to Costa Rica Cruise

Olivia’s Panama Canal to Costa Rica Cruise, on the five-star, 148-passenger, four-masted MS Wind Spirit, offers ample opportunities for adventure in Panama and Costa Rica as it sails from Colón, Panama, through three locks of the Panama Canal, to the UNESCOvenerated coral reef destination Coiba Island (the largest island in Central America). Continuing on, ports of call include the stunning Costa Rican beaches of Golfito and Bahia Drake — with its crags, crocodiles and tapirs — and the rainforest town of Quepos, before it’s time to disembark in Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. Onboard entertainment is

taken care of by comedian Sandra Valls and singer/comedian Lisa Koch.

Jan 24–31, 2015 Olivia, olivia.com Clientele: Mostly lesbian Price: From $4,199 (all prices in US dollars) for ocean-view cabins

Silhouette Caribbean Cruise

Escape winter in the most luxurious way possible aboard the 2,800-passenger Celebrity Silhouette as she sails from Fort Lauderdale for the warm waters of the Caribbean. Among a host of amenities, the Silhouette boasts an incredible spa, an outdoor barbecue grill and wooden decks. Tea-dances, parties and

Above and right, frolicking onboard and onshore during an Olivia cruise.

OLIVIA.COM

events confetti the social calendar for this seven-day sailing to Labadee, Haiti; Philipsburg, St Maarten; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Feb 1–8, 2015 Atlantis Events, atlantisevents.com Clientele: Mostly gay men Price: From $1,349

RSVP 30th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise

The 3,500-passenger Regal Princess is the birthday-party boat for RSVP’s big 3-0 cruise. The youthful Princess took to the waters only in May 2014, so it’s a shiny, new ship with such spectacular features as a glass-bottom sea walk (extending 8.5 metres off the side of the ship); a vast, ornate atrium; and an enticing Bellini bar. This cruise sails from Fort Lauderdale and visits the private Princess Cays, Cozumel and George Town in Grand Cayman, before returning to Florida.

Feb 8–15, 2015 RSVP Vacations, rsvpvacations.com Clientele: Mostly gay men Price: From $1,059

Australia and New Zealand Cruise Odyssey

Trot onboard Holland America’s 1380-passenger MS Amsterdam for a week of Australian summer fun with none other than Olivia Newton-John.

The crew of fine, funny women includes

Lisa Koch, Vickie Shaw and Karen Williams. Departing Sydney, the cruise explores Tasmania, Fiordland National Park, Dunedin and Christchurch, before docking in Auckland.

Feb 13–24, 2015 Olivia, olivia.com

28 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

party boat has left Miami’s docks for four fantastic gay days on the ocean to celebrate Miami Pride. The boat in question is the activity-packed Majesty of the Seas. With parties, cocktail parties, beach barbecues and a Key West stop en route to the Bahamas, it’s an understandably popular departure, so book early if you’re keen to take part.

April 13–17, 2015 Source Events, sourceevents.com Clientele: Mostly gay men Price: From $429

Amazon Discovery Top, the view of the sunset from a cruise ship is always incredible. Above, a dinner of freshly caught lobster. Left, an Atlantis Events cruiser enjoys some quiet time.

JEFFREY LUSCOMBE

Feb 24–March 8, 2015 Atlantis Events, atlantisevents.com Clientele: Mostly gay men Price: From $1,599

Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise

Clientele: Mostly lesbian Price: From $2,099

All-Gay French Caribbean Cruise

Explore the French Caribbean on the 72-metre SV Mandalay, built in 1923

and remodelled in 2012, as she sails from St Martin to Anguilla, Nevis, St Barts and Tintamarre and back to St Martin. Visit the famed Saltine nude beach and shop on St Barts; experience the quaint bistros and beaches of the Dutch and French sides of St Martin; sip daiquiris on Anguilla; snorkel, cycle or scuba on lush Nevis; and picnic on deserted Tintamarre.

Feb 15–21, 2015 Source Events, sourceevents.com Clientele: Mostly gay men Price: From $1,849

Auckland to Sydney Mardi Gras Cruise

Holland America’s floating pamper palace, the 11-deck Oosterdam, will see 1,900 passengers board in Auckland.

The vast vessel then charts a course for Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin before crossing the Tasman Sea for Melbourne and the final stop, Sydney, where a smorgasbord of Mardi Gras celebrations awaits, complete with a trio of LGBT mega-icons: George Michael, Kylie Minogue and Boy George.

Celebrity Millennium will be the floating address for 2,138 passengers for the 11 days of Atlantis Events’ Asian journey from Singapore to Hong Kong.

Teak decks, a solarium with a thalassotherapy pool and a gloriously indulgent Persian-garden spa add to the luxurious nature of this cruise. After leaving Singapore, this trip of a lifetime goes on to explore the stunning lagoons of Koh Samui, the cultural contrasts of Bangkok, the French colonial sights of Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang’s golden sands, UNESCO-acclaimed Hue and the 1,600 islands of breathtaking Halong Bay. The final port of call is glittering Hong Kong.

March 29–April 9, 2015 Atlantis Events, atlantisevents.com Clientele: Mostly gay men Price: From $1,599

Miami Pride Cruise 2015

This is the sixth year in a row that this

One of three Amazon riverboat adventures on offer from Brand G this year, but the only sailing not sold out at press time, this all-gay rainforest odyssey explores the world’s most biodiverse region from the comfort of the fivestar, 32-passenger, colonial-era Delfin II. Daily shore excursions offer insight into the culture, wildlife and history of this fascinating region. There are more than 1,000 species of bird in the Peruvian Amazon alone, plus countless mammals to encounter. Once the riverboat portion of this adventure ends, travellers continue on to the Sacred Valley, near the Incan capital Cusco, and to 15th-century Machu Picchu via a scenic train trip.

April 20–30, 2015 Brand G, brandgvacations.com Clientele: Mostly gay men Price: From $3,995

If these all-LGBT dates don’t rock your boat, there are many other “affinity group” options: organized gay groups on mainstream cruises. You’ll find a link to an extensive list of them in this story on dailyxtra.com.

More on dailyxtra.com I s taking a cruise vacation right for you?

Tips and tricks for high-seas cruising ‘Straight’ cruising the gay way

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! DEC 11–24, 2014 29

A world of gay adventure

Travel

Get your downward dog on A yoga retreat will leave you stretched and unstressed

includes meditation, massage, delicious home-cooked food and use of a heated pool, Jacuzzi, gym and sauna. Run by the charming Mark, Tom and Nancy, the relaxing, romantic Finca has an enthusiastic roster of devoted return guests who come back year after year to this hidden gem.

AEFA MULHOLLAND

Frog Meadow, Vermont

Frog Meadow bills itself as a “country bed and breakfast and massage oasis for men” and runs a summer men’s gathering each July. Yoga, pilates and guided massage-exchange sessions all star, along with workshops and excursions to the gay men’s beach at Rock River and local distilleries and artisans’ studios.

Other optional activities include soaks in the wood-fired hot tub and saunters along the leafy trail network that surrounds the 25-hectare property.

If daily drudgery and the tasks of the day are downward dogging your progress toward enlightenment, limber joints and a stress-free life, consider escaping to one of these LGBT yoga retreats around the world.

Blue Osa, Costa Rica

Set on Playa Tamales on the idyllic Osa Peninsula, the gay-owned and -run Blue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa has the glittering ocean in front and a swath of atmospheric rainforest at its back.

Those attending the weeklong retreats can swim in the ocean each morning and surf between sessions.

Blue Osa also offers monthlong immersion yoga-teacher training. The next such offering is June 19 through July 18, 2015. The next gay men’s yoga program takes participants on a Tantra yoga journey and runs May 23 to 29, 2015.

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Sacred Sexualities, a retreat for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women, takes place from March 6 to 8, 2015, led by the Reverend Irene Monroe, a lesbian feminist theologian who has been featured in Oprah Magazine. The retreat centre is perched on a hilltop that overlooks Lake Mahkeenac and the woods below. The centre is a vast 15,000-square-metre facility on 50 hectares. More than 750 programs are on the calendar each year.

Kalani, Pahoa, Hawaii

Situated close to the dramatic lava flows of the Big Island, the LGBT-owned and -operated Kalani offers an extensive list of yoga retreats, many for the LGBT community. It’s a very appealing way to escape winter. Gay men can pick from a calendar that includes men’s yoga retreats, a men’s hula retreat, a men’s yoga and massage retreat, and a men’s tropical holiday. The New Year’s Naked Men’s Yoga Retreat runs Dec 27, 2014 to Jan 2, 2015, overlapping with Thrive New Year’s Retreat for Gay/Bi Men (Dec 29, 2014 to Jan 3, 2015).

Hawaii Blue Hands Yoga and Massage Retreat takes place from March 31 to April 5, 2015. Kalani offers lesbianspecific retreats during the year, as well as popular women’s retreats, such as the Pulse of the Radiant Feminine Heart and the Kalani Experience. Trans guests are welcome to participate in the year’s array of workshops and retreats, including men’s and women’s retreats. Other Kalani workshops focus on hula, Hawaiian 30 DEC 11–24, 2014 XTRA!

Over the Rainbow, Wales, UK

Finca la Maroma, in southern Spain’s Andalucia region, overlooks valleys of almond and olive trees.

culture, massage and performing arts.

Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, California

More and more gay men (and a few gay women) are making for Middletown, just north of the Napa Valley, in Northern California, for the slew of workshops and retreats put on at Harbin Hot Springs. Popular with Bay Area naturists, Harbin has amazing massage and yoga offerings, plus beau-

tiful trails and an enticing selection of those eponymous hot springs. Yoga and meditation classes take place almost on the hour from 7am until 7pm daily, with added bonuses such as Reiki, belly dancing and weekend movies. Harbin is set on 2,000 hectares, and guests can choose to camp or to stay in tent cabins, dorms, private rooms or cottages.

Finca La Maroma, Spain

In lovely Andalucia in southern Spain,

FINCALAMAROMA.COM

gay men’s guest house Finca La Maroma looks out over valleys of almond and olive trees just a few kilometres from the coast. It offers occasional yoga retreats, such as Exploring the Heart (held from May 3 to 8, 2015) and Rhythm and Flow (held from May 10 to 15, 2015), both naked men’s retreats. These book up quickly, so reserve your places early.

Guests can add a “chill-out weekend” before or after at a discounted room rate. In addition to yoga, the program

Over the Rainbow is a gorgeous restored Georgian mansion on seven hectares of woodland on Cardigan Bay, close to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the craggy and dramatic western coast of Wales. Castles, dolphin-spotting opportunities and quaint towns crammed with tearooms and antique shops abound in the immediate vicinity. This vegetarian, lesbian guesthouse is the site of several lesbian yoga retreats during the year, run by Jenny, one of the founders of the UK’s Inner Yoga.

Read this story on dailyxtra.com for live links to many of the retreats mentioned.

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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Psychic Christian Taylor Helps solve problems - love, business, divorce, reunites lovers forever. Makes all your dreams come true. www.psychicreadingsby christiantaylor.com 682-202-8238

Married, Separated or Divorced Gay Father?

We’re here to support you on your journey.

Our meetings are informal, confidential, and helpful.

Gay Fathers meet the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 8pm at the 519 Church Street Community Centre.

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Personal Erotic MassagE

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FULL BODY EROTIC massage service. Actual massage not just a quick rubdown. Discreet Yonge/Bloor residence/table/ hot oil/5 years experience. $80/hour. $120/90 mins.

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BIG HOLIDAY MASSAGE SAVINGS The holiday season is a big stressor. Our skills and personalities will encourage you to relax and enjoy yourself!

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FULL BODY MASSAGE $60 /1hr - $90/$1.5hr. Enjoy a medium to deep pressure massage for a complete relaxation of the body. Body waxing and trimming also available. Mon-Sun 11 am to 9pm. Call or text Marcos 647-881-1545. marcosmassage@gmail.com www.marcosmassage.ca

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4SEASONS MASSAGE THERAPY & WAXING Charles Guo, RMT Registered Massages, Waxing Hair Removal. Receipt for massage insurance. First Time Client 20% off waxing.

40 Wellesley St E, Ste 201.

By appointment 416-944-3784 4seasonsmassage.ca BRENT ROUSSEAU RMT For treatment of muscle injuries, pain and stress management, and enhancement of physical health and well being.

Day, evening, and weekend appts. available. Insurance coverage, Visa accepted, free parking, 416-708-3996.

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JACK CYGAN Registered massage therapist relaxation and therapeutic massage, south-west end. Insurance coverage. for appointment call 416-255-7490. website: jacekc.com NEW YOU MASSAGE & HEALTH Offering Swedish Massage, Physiotherapy, Shiatsu and Acupuncture.

Joseph Alves RMT, Michael O`Brien RMT, Vince Warcop PT, Angela Lin PT. Located at 40 Wellesley Street East.

Book online at www.newyoumassage.ca

Relaxation Massage Buffet Massage: traditional, anal/prostate, & Taoist Erotic.

Breath orgasms. Sex and Life Coach. Paul Barber 647-821-3131 canadian bodyworker.com

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Counselling DAVID MOULTON, Md. Canadian Certified Counsellor Cognitive-Behavioral, Relational, Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based. Learn stress management and life balance.

Address challenges with selfesteem, anxiety, relationships, sexuality, gender, coming out, alternative sexualities.

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Grand Opening Special FREE 15 min Electrolysis or Microdermabrasion or Teeth Whitening Men Skin Care Line victoryskincare.com 416- 921 -2512

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TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

XTRA HOT

DAVID HAWE

NAMES: ZAK & MIKI AGES: 9 & 10 (ELF YEARS) SIGNS: LEO

“When we finish our shift at the workshop, we usually strip down to our undies and have a good ol’ elven twerk-off,” says Zak the elf (pictured left).

“It’s how we blow off steam after a long day of toy-making.” Zak and Miki, two of Santa’s top toy makers, often get themselves and other elves into trouble during the high season. “We make very good use of the oversized candy canes and conveyor belts on a Saturday night,” Miki says.

Their favourite spot for a date is the Island of Misfit Toys. “The North Pole can get pretty drab, so I like to bring a hot elf to the island for a really good cocktail at Mrs Clausette’s — a really cute lesbian bar,” Zak says. “There or Jack-in-the-Box, which is a really steamy gay dance club,” Miki says.

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