MORE CONDOS ON THE WAY? Historic Dundonald St homes at risk ›7 TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS
PROUD LIFE Saying farewell to Kyle Scanlon ›10 #724 JULY 26, 2012
FREE
40,000 AUDITED CIRCULATION
g n i r e e u Q
A N A B I R A C 2 a 1 › s t rty u p t e pa a c k h c t a l n o B n DJ k spi pin
COMMENT 4 XCETERA 5 NEWS 7 OUT IN THE CITY 11 XPOSED 18
MORE AT XTRA.CA
2
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
Side effects affecting your plans? Talk to your doctor about managing your HIV. Visit the Canadian AIDS Society at cdnaids.ca/CanWeTalk to learn more.
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
3
TORONTO’S GAY& LESBIAN NEWS
Roundup #724
MATT MILLS
JULY 26, 2012
We’re with the Band NEWS
Gay London Despite last-minute setbacks, cancellations and cuts, WorldPride went ahead in London on July 7 with thousands marching in the British capital. NEWS
COVER STORY
REGULARS
Dundonald St condo war
Merry (Mary) Caribana
Denizens of Toronto’s gay village are once again at odds with developers over a proposed condo in the neighbourhood. Xtra chats with Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam about what she’s doing to save four historic Dundonald St homes. ›7
Gay Caribbean Canadians like Toronto’s DJ Blackcat have long participated in — and hosted — queer Caribana events. This year Xtra chats with Caribana organizers and others in the community and asks the question: when will Caribana officially host a gay event? ›12
Comment ›4 Xcetera ›5 Xposed ›18 Index ›20 Classifieds ›20
Rap music and gay rights The recent release of a rap video featuring a gay couple — and a gay kiss — has music pundits cheering that some members of the homophobic rap world may slowly be embracing gay rights. ›9
OUT IN THE CITY
SummerWorks This year’s SummerWorks theatre festival has loads of queer content. Xtra suggests three shows that will definitely have people talking. ›11
›8
COLUMNS
Editorial ›4 Toronto at Night ›16 Porndoggy ›22
VIDEO
Sex tips Sexpert Jamye Waxman recently sat down with Xtra to discuss her best sex tips. When it comes to handjobs, blowjobs and cunnilingus, Waxman’s advice is sure to inspire. ›xtra.ca
ONLINE
Jenna Talackova The widely discussed and much reported on Miss Universe contestant sits down with Xtra to dish about her upcoming turn as Vancouver Pride’s grand marshal. ›xtra.ca
LISTINGS
Art & photography › 14 Film & video › 14 Leisure & pleasure › 14 Health & Issues › 16 Music › 16, 17 Stage › 17 COVER PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER CUSHMAN
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! ›twitter.com/xtra_canada
Facials Body Treatments Massage Waxing
FIND US
TermeForMen.ca
info@termeformen.ca
219 –120 CARLTON ST. TORONTO, ONT. M 5A 4K2 416 – 929 – 3222
SAME-SEX LEGAL ISSUES JANICE P. WARREN BARRISTER & SOLICITOR
416-323-7767 jwarren@tcn.net Immigration: Same-Sex Sponsorship Applications from Canada & Overseas U.S. Work Permits
CYNTHIA BOROVOY WARREN BARRISTER & SOLICITOR
416-964-0900 cbw@cbwarrenlaw.com Domestic Matters: Domestic Agreements Real Estate: Purchase, Sale & Mortgages: Estate Planning: Wills and Powers of Attorney
30 St Clair Ave W Suite 400, Toronto ON M4V 3A1
4
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
editorial › feedback › debate
Comment In youth’s image INBOX Dundonald homes Naked Eye Gareth Kirkby
T
HIS PRIDE SEASON WE’VE got a lot to celebrate. Many of our goals from the last two generations can now be checked off, human rights laws for gays and lesbians chief among them. I’m most impressed with the new generation of activists, many of them still in high school, increasingly members of cultural minorities. They’re using cogent, often sophisticated arguments to persuade others, including school board trustees, to help them build a better world. Even when that world conflicts with their own parents’ views. I had trouble arguing against my parents at home as a teenager, let alone taking on their views at a school-board meeting. The new activists have their own priorities, as should each generation of active citizens, though it’s also important that they learn from our collective history. They want to change the world to reflect their views of freedom and equality, adding new layers of flesh to the bones of Canada’s great Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Yet, perhaps in keeping with our time, most I’ve spoken with don’t even consider themselves activists but rather just people caught up in something they consider important. Of course, that’s exactly what an activist is — and why so many in our community have always been activists regardless of our individual comfort with the label. So, yes, we’ve made much progress for many in our communities to live comfortable lives. And yes, the next generation continues to make its own progress. But our struggle for our day in the sun is not over. Until kids grow up not being bullied, until students are routinely taught a gay-inclusive curriculum, our battles will not be over. Until gay teachers are not under pressure to remain closeted. Until King George Secondary School is renamed after Jane Rule. Until the “homosexual panic defence” can no longer be used to get a light sentence for murder. Until police and the Crown vigorously investigate and prosecute gaybashings and routinely invoke the hate-crime designation at trial. Until trans people have recogni-
tion of their rights and free access to surgery. Until threesomes are legal. Until Canada Customs loses its power to seize anything it wants at the border (even material that would be legal if produced in Canada). Until government stops trying to censor or control every new technology, including the internet. Until there is a free vaccine for AIDS. Until rational science and harm reduction is at the heart of all health policy and practice. Until seniors’ residences respect sexual orientation and allow residents to have sex. Until government funding treats gay tourism and queer arts and culture as worthy. Until society embraces sexuality and gender as just facets of who people are — admittedly complicated, but desirable facets that pose no risk to anyone. Until, in short, church and state have been pushed back from regulating people’s choices and imposing morality, and the Christian heritage is wiped from our legal codes. And until countries around the world, including the particularly homophobic former British colonies, recognize sex- and genderbased rights and freedom for all — our work will not be done. This will take a while, of course. Gays and lesbians, and others who bend the borders of desire, will not be free until people overcome their individual and collective fear of sexuality. Fear of sexuality, and gender difference, is deeply wired in Western culture and the world’s three major religions. Gays and lesbians, specifically our sexual expression, are the personification of that fear, the monster under the bed if you will. I know this work will continue here and internationally as successive generations engage with our issues, add to the list, and go about changing the world in their image. And that excites me, not least because after 15 years at Pink Triangle Press as an editor, publisher, producer and engagement director, I’m moving on in my day job, seeking and welcoming new challenges in meaningful work. I move on with the spirit of Pride: celebrating who and what I am — who we are — and at the same time committed to doing my bit in my spare time to continue building community. See you around. Gareth Kirkby is a former managing editor of Xtra and senior manager of Pink Triangle Press.
“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.
I ONCE HAD A CONVERSATION with an urban-studies student while in Zurich, and he was delighted to find out I was from Toronto [“Historic Dundonald St Houses at Risk,” Xtra #724, July 24]. His class was studying the survival and thriving nature of old neighbourhoods like Rosedale, Cabbagetown and the Annex, and streets within the urban centre still with rows of original houses. In other cities, these neighbourhoods have deteriorated, been demolished, then rebuilt as high-rises. There are so many ugly empty spaces and parking lots on which nothing beautiful has to be destroyed to build something new. There’s even a huge slab of concrete wasteland that can be built on right behind these gorgeous homes. Toronto, for me, has always been unique in that architectures of the past stand proudly, even amidst the ever-developing and modernizing city. It is a diverse city in more ways than one. I hope we never lose this special part of our identity. Eduardo Sabate Toronto, ON
Kyle Scanlon WHAT IS PRIDE ALL ABOUT? To about 80 percent of attendees, it’s a party, not much more. To maybe five percent, it’s about building community [“Remembering Kyle Scanlon,” Xtra #724, July 24]. Kyle was into doing that. I knew Kyle before he transitioned; in fact, I discussed with him whether that was a direction he would consider going, just by talking with him about his feelings. I’m a trans woman, and Kyle was a special friend to me. I’ve been ambivalent about what Pride does for our community for some time. I would hope it would be more about helping people in the queer community be more accepting of each other. For example, not allowing FTMs in the Dyke March is a silly thought; you should be welcoming supportive people in all areas. Maybe this lack of acceptance is indicative of the struggles we need to get past and what Kyle had a hard time dealing with. The old song “We Are Family” strikes me as being very ironic sometimes. Dawna Tracey-Armstrong Toronto, ON GAY PEOPLE ARE TERRIBLY rude and indifferent towards each other. We ridicule and reject each other over very juvenile things and are judged on how many university degrees and $600 sunglasses we have rather than what kind of person, partner or parent we could potentially be. We only care about the gay guys who would pass as straight college athletes. We’ve become addicted to internet porn with models that aren’t even gay. We hate other gay men and resent each other for not living up to expectations. No wonder so many of us end our lives. I’m not disrespecting this young man’s death, but you know what? We really have to start caring
WE REALLY HAVE TO START CARING ABOUT EACH OTHER AND STOP RIPPING EACH OTHER APART. WE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORTH KNOWING AND BEFRIENDING.
Send your correspondence by mail to 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto M5B 1J3, email comment@xtra.ca, or log in to xtra.ca and comment directly. We may edit letters.
about each other and stop ripping each other apart. We are people who are worth knowing and befriending. Gay people aren’t necessarily committing suicide because of bullying from straight people. I didn’t know Kyle, but I would have listened. Jonathan L Fort Frances, ON
That’s so gay AS IMPORTANT AS GENDER is, the artistic and academic fronts of the LGBT community, it has indeed been drowning in “gender theory’’ and “gender expression’’ and “gender identity’’ for almost 20 years [“Girls Who Are Boys Who Do Boys Like They’re Girls,” xtra.ca, July 17]. We should be challenging these “queer’’ artists and academics to come up with “queer’’ work that has nothing to do with gender or gender politics. How would you even begin to do that? That’s a really good question. Does such a perspective even exist? These are important questions and I feel that they are just as important to all of our identities and our day-to-day lives. We need a holistic approach instead of the same (somewhat stale) approach of “challenging gender.’’ Mike Edmonton, AB TO HAVE A GENDER-FREE art practice for the people who call themselves queer would be a shift from identity to behaviours, practices, interpersonal experiences and reallife interactions between same-sex people. Instead, the term “queer” is about forced inclusivity; therefore, no art about sex is allowed unless it includes everyone. If a penis-bearing gay male makes art about the sex and love he has with another penis-bearing gay male, he will be shamed for not including sexual depictions of women and trans and other identities. Gender is the biggest con since LGBT. Sexual orientation (same-sex reality) has been slowly pushed aside for the more child-friendly and female-centric gender identity. David Toronto, ON
Toronto Pride KULANU ISN’T THE PROBLEM [“Pride Needs to Get Creative,” Xtra #723, July 10]. Any challenges faced by Pride Toronto are exacerbated by Xtra, which relishes in fanning the flames caused by any disagreements among Pride supporters. Xtra’s one-sided support of QuAIA masked as “news” further undermines Pride’s efforts and those of the communities it strives to represent. Jay Gordon Toronto, ON A LOT OF CREDIT HAS TO GO to the hundreds of volunteers who make Pride happen every year. Pride really is a community effort, and it’s heartening to see the current staff and board try and listen to the
comment It’s sad that Kyle committed suicide only a few days after Pride [“Remembering Kyle Scanlon,” Xtra #724, July 24]. I know that many LGBT people get depressed over Pride Week despite the fact that it’s supposed to be a week of fun, sex and celebration. It’s similar to how many lonely straight people get depressed over the Christmas holidays. —Mark S Toronto, ON To comment, go to xtra.ca.
diverse voices in the community over the past year. Pride’s always going to need some public or private money to operate, but as long as it stays true to its core values and is accessible to all community groups, the event should continue to be successful. Doug Kerr Toronto, ON I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE need to break ties with the City of Toronto in regards to funding . . . they’re too capricious and, as Danny says, fairweather. As far as QuAIA goes — this is a very small group of people whose tactics don’t seem to win them many new supporters, so what’s the big deal? It just doesn’t seem worth the aggravation. Serafin LaRiviere Toronto, ON
WorldPride I KEEP WONDERING WHAT Toronto is going to do [“WorldPride Lessons from London,” xtra. ca, July 13]. The street seemed so unprepared this Pride. No decorations, no balloon arches, nothing. If we are hosting, we need to be gayly prepared. Buy some chips and dip, at least. James Benjamin Toronto, ON AS M U LT IC U LT U R AL AS Toronto may be, it is also a parochial, seething hellhole of political correctness and weird gay politics. We’re not a truly gracious, international city at all. Every nutcase in the city is going to seize this event as an opportunity for grandstanding. Most gay people in other countries are already flabbergasted at the direction that gay politics in Toronto has taken, once it is explained to them. Our own Pride organization and funding has degenerated into a mess. I’m a little worried that WorldPride will be damaged by Toronto’s involvement. It was a mistake to bid for WorldPride; it was a mistake to choose us. Jim Toronto, ON
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
5
noteworthy › updates › ephemera
Xcetera
Compiled by Jeremy Feist
LADY GAGA’S FAME WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE: apricot, saffron, honey drips WHAT IT SHOULD SMELL LIKE: semen, blood
SNARKY SCENTS JUSTIN BIEBER’S SOMEDAY WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE: mandarin, pear, wild berries WHAT IT SHOULD SMELL LIKE: a teenaged girl’s tears, unhealthy obsession, insanity
BRITNEY SPEARS’ FANTASY
CELEBRITY NON-SCENTS CÉLINE DION’S SIGNATURE WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE: mimosa blossom, apple, guava WHAT IT SHOULD SMELL LIKE: flawlessness, perfection, poutine
Lady Gaga recently released a new perfume, Fame, which she initially promised would smell like semen and blood. I know, I was dripping with excitement, too. But it turns out the stuff just smells like apricot, saffron and honey drips. Bummer, huh? We decided to look at how some other celebrity perfumes should have smelled.
KATY PERRY’S PURR WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE: peach nectar, apple, jasmine WHAT IT SHOULD SMELL LIKE: hairballs, cat litter, tuna
PRIDE MYSTERY
LGBT-SHIRTS BEFORE THE EATON CENTRE Back-alley sex off Yonge St ›8
TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS
RCMP VS BDSM Officer targeted for liking kink ›9
SHARRON MATTHEWS Cabaret diva hits Buddies › 17
#723 JULY 12, 2012
FREE
40,000 AUDITED CIRCULATION
INSIDE!
GUIDEMAG.COM TRAVEL SECTION India, Dallas & more ›24–27
PROUD MEMORIES Looking back on an incredible weekend
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE: red lychee, cupcakes, jasmine petals WHAT IT SHOULD SMELL LIKE: Frappuccinos, McDonald’s, Cheetos
KIM KARDASHIAN’S SIGNATURE WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE: tonka bean, sandalwood, jacaranda wood WHAT IT SHOULD SMELL LIKE: urine, silicone, man’s inhumanity to man
SAPPHIC CINEMA
Trans boycott of American Apparel
Silly Brits!
Sure, their “Legalize Gay” shirts may be ubiquitous at Pride events, but not everyone is onboard with American Apparel’s LGBT Pride line. Trans rights group MAGNET has declared a boycott of the clothing company’s gay line because it says the clothing logos do not represent trans people. The group has also complained that using straight trans supermodel Isis King (pictured) in the ad campaign confuses straight people about what it means to be transgender.
Even though Black Swan won a butt-load of awards, including an Oscar for Natalie Portman, not everyone was a fan. In fact, thanks to a (SPOILER ALERT) fantasy lesbian sex scene between Portman and Mila Kunis’s characters, the film has officially been named the most complained-about movie ever by the British Board of Film Classification. Oddly enough, there’s no mention of anyone complaining about the scene in which Portman’s character masturbates in front of her mother. So to summarize: lesbian sex is bad, masturbating in front of your mom is A-okay!
›11-15
COVER PHOTO BY ADAM COISH
FOX SEARCHLIGHT
FLUID SEXUALITY
Were you wondering about the identity of the hot guy on the last Xtra cover? Us too! Turns out his name is Emile Kwandibens (or EJ for short), and not only is he a proud gay father, but he’s also Northern Woodlands Ojibway/French. He’s the founder and owner of MiinoAyah-Dah Fitness and Nutrition Solutions, which provides people with education on nutrition, fitness and health. He also happens to specialize in the construction of aboriginal apparel, and he designed the beautiful headdress you saw him wearing on our cover.
AMERICANAPPAREL.TUMBLR.COM
A new study from the University of Missouri has found that bisexual people — those who didn’t identify exclusively as heterosexual or homosexual — are more likely to misuse alcohol and suffer from the negative consequences of drinking. So far, the results are purely correlational rather than causational, but remember, everyone: peach schnapps is the goddamn devil. STORY LINK: EUREKALERT.ORG/PUB_
CURRENTNIGHTANDDAY
Bisexuals more likely to abuse booze
Under the cover
RELEASES/2012-06/UOM-SOF060612.PHP
BREAKING NEWS › JENNA TALACKOVA › MARIO CANTONE ON HOLLYWOOD HOMOPHOBIA › PHOTOS FROM ST JOHN’S PRIDE › DEVIN MORE AT XTRA.CA CASEY’S PHOTOGRAPHY IS NURTURING NATURE › THE DEMISE OF WOMEN’S BOOKSTORES › ROCK AROUND THE CLIT
6
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
SHERBOURNE HEALTH CENTRE 333 SHERBOURNE STREET TORONTO, ON M5A 2S5
s 777 3(%2"/52.% /. #!
LGBT HEALTH
CONTACT US Address: 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3 OďŹƒce hours: 9am–6pm, Mon–Fri Phone: 416-925-6665 Fax: 416-925-6674 Website: xtra.ca General email: info@xtra.ca FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING rates or information, call 416-925-6665 or 800-268-XTRA or email ads@xtra.ca. Display advertising deadline for the Aug 9 issue: Mon, July 30, 4pm. FOR LINE CLASSIFIEDS rates or information, call 416-925-6665 or 800-268-XTRA or email classiďŹ eds@xtra.ca. Line classiďŹ ed deadline for the Aug 9 issue: Thurs, Aug 2, 1pm.
SERVICE PROVIDERS: SIGN UP ON LGBTQ PARENTING CONNECTION WEBSITE #HECK OUT THE NEWLY DESIGNED WEBSITE AT WWW LGBTQPARENTINGCONNECTION CA
The publication of an ad in Xtra does not mean that Xtra endorses the advertiser. SEND A COMMENT to the editor: mail Xtra, 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3, Canada, fax 416-925-6503 or email comment@xtra.ca. Comments must include the writer’s full name, which is published, and telephone number, for veriďŹ cation only. We may edit comments. SUBMIT A LISTING to Out in the City: oitc@xtra.ca. Listings deadline for the Aug 9 issue:
One of the new features is a listing of LGBTQ positive service providers. If you are a service provider and
Mon, July 30, 1pm.
want to be on this list, go to the link below and sign up. If you know of people who should be listed on the
SUBSCRIBE Call 416-925-6665 or 800-268-XTRA, or email subscriptions@xtra.ca. $77.81 for one year (26 issues). $69 (US) in the United States; $125 (US) overseas. HST included where applicable. Xtra is free in metropolitan Toronto; elsewhere, retailers may charge up to $1 to cover transportation costs.
site, tell them about it. 4O SIGN UP HTTP LGBTQPARENTINGCONNECTION CA SERVICES CFM
GET DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION or suggest a distribution outlet: email craig.palmer@xtra.ca. FOR SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION email craig.palmer@xtra.ca.
TRANSFORMING FAMILY AVAILABLE ON-LINE!
CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial content: email danny.glenwright@xtra.ca.
Transforming FAMILY is a ten minute documentary that jumps directly into an ongoing conversation
XTRA
among trans people about parenting. Directed by Remy Huberdeau, in collaboration with the LGBTQ
Published by Pink Triangle Press PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
Parenting Network and with support from: The Community One Foundation and The Centre for the Study
Brandon Matheson
Nick Aveling, Nathaniel Christopher, Daniela Costa, Tyler Dorchester, Chris Dupuis, Jeremy Feist, David Hains, Jeremy Hainsworth, Ryan G Hinds, Gareth Kirkby, SeraďŹ n LaRiviere, Matt Mills, Anna Pournikova, Jonathan Valelly
of Gender, Social Inequities and Mental Health. 4O VIEW THE lLM HTTP LGBTQPARENTINGCONNECTION CA SOCIALCHANGE 4RANSFORMING&AMILIES&ILM CFM
QUESTIONS ABOUT NUTRITION? Come see a Registered Dietitian in LGBT Health to learn more about healthy eating, active living and management of different conditions (such as high cholesterol, blood pressure and overweight). Our Dietitian is available for long-term follow up to help set and reach your nutrition goals. 2EFERRALS CAN BE MADE THROUGH YOUR 0RIMARY #ARE 0ROVIDER AT THE 3HERBOURNE (EALTH #ENTRE “Hey yogurt, if you’re so cultured, how come I never see you at the opera?� ~Stephen Colbert
ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Danny Glenwright COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser NEWS REPORTER Andrea Houston LISTINGS EDITOR Drew Rowsome CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace PRODUCTION MANAGER Leslie Miller GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrew Tran, Darryl Mabey, Bryce Stuart JUNIOR ADVERTISING DESIGNER
Issn 0829-3384 Printed and published in Canada. Š2012 Pink Triangle Press. Xtra is published every two weeks by Pink Triangle Press.
Ashley Calla
PINK TRIANGLE PRESS
ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jerey Homan NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Derrick Branco RETAIL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Brian Garrison
Founded 1971
DISTRIBUTION & COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR Craig Palmer CLIENT SERVICES & ADVERTISING ADMINISTRATOR
DIRECTORS Jim Bartley, Gerald Hannon, Glenn Kauth, Didier Pomerleau, Ken Popert, Gillian Rodgerson HONORARY DIRECTOR Colin Brownlee PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ken Popert CEO, DIGITAL MEDIA David Walberg CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Andrew Chang
Eugene Coon
3UPPORTING /UR 9OUTH 3/9 SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ,'"4 YOUTH UP TO THROUGH THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF ADULTS WORKING TOGETHER WITH YOUTH 7ORKING WITHIN AN ANTI OPPRESSION FRAMEWORK 3/9 DEVELOPS INITIATIVES THAT BUILD SKILLS AND CAPACITIES PROVIDE MENTORING AND SUPPORT AND NURTURE A SENSE OF IDENTITY AND BELONGING
CUSTOMER SERVICE John Webster ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Cassidy Phillips
s 777 3/94/2/.4/ /2'
HEY QUEER & TRANS YOUTH! PINK INK ZINE LAUNCH! A FREE event for all community members, friends, family and allies. An all-ages celebration of trans and queer youth creativity and the launch of our brand new zine: “Breaking Silence, Building Voices, Being Heard�! And join us in a toast to celebrate SOY being this
Kirk J. Cooper
B.A., LL.B.
)HYYPZ[LY :VSPJP[VY 5V[HY`
$BSMUPO 4USFFU 4VJUF 5PSPOUP 0OUBSJP . " ,
Tel: (416) 923-4277
XFCTJUF XXX LJSLDPPQFSMBX DPN FNBJM LJSLDPPQFSMBX!SPHFST DPN 7*4" .$ -FHBM "JE BDFQUFE
r 3FBM &TUBUF r %PNFTUJD "HSFFNFOUT r 8JMMT &TUBUFT 1PXFST PG "UUPSOFZ r 4BNF 4FY *TTVF r &NQMPZNFOU -BX r *NNJHSBUJPO 3FGVHFF -BX r 4QPOTPSTIJQ "QQMJDBUJPOT
year’s recipient of the Toronto Arts Foundation Arts for Youth Award! 3ATURDAY *ULY PM 4HE #HURCH 3TREET #OMMUNITY #ENTRE (OSTED BY 6IVEK 3HRAYA AND 0INK )NK MEMBERS WWW SOYTORONTO ORG
NEWCOMER IMMIGRANT YOUTH PROGRAM (EXPRESS): A safe and supportive space where newcomer and/or immigrant queer youth ďŹ nd a safe space to gather, share ideas, questions, and most of all HAVE FUN! Interested? 4UESDAYS PM 3HERBOURNE (EALTH #ENTRE 3HERBOURNE 3T %MAIL SOYNEWCOMER SHERBOURNE ON CA OR CALL
BLACK QUEER YOUTH (BQY):
xtra.ca
A safe space for Black, Mixed, African/Caribbean Youth
under 29, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual and questioning. Come chill, learn and socialize, free food & drinks - Spread the word! 7EDNESDAYS PM 3HERBOURNE (EALTH #ENTRE 3HERBOURNE 3T %MAIL ,ORELEI BQY SHERBOURNE ON CA OR CALL
TRANS_FUSION CREW:
A warm, inclusive space for transgender, transsexual, intersex,
two-spirit, gender-questioning youth and our allies to chill out, make art, share information, get connected with referrals and work on amazing activist projects. 4HURSDAYS PM 3HERBOURNE (EALTH #ENTRE 3HERBOURNE 3T %MAIL TFC SHERBOURNE ON CA OR CALL
Wondering what other readers think? Go to xtra.ca and check out the reader comments on the bottom of every news story.
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
7
dispatches › issues › opinion
Upfront NEWS
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORLDPRIDE SHAMBLES IS PARTLY DOWN TO THE WORLDPRIDE ORGANIZERS IN LONDON BUT ALSO PARTLY DOWN TO THE MAYOR OF LONDON AND WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL. Peter Tatchell › 8 NEIGHBOURHOOD
Housing experts warn of flaws in mayor’s homelessness task force Daniela Costa SOME EXPERTS SAY THAT COUNcillor Giorgio Mammoliti’s plans to do away with the city’s shelter system and clear Toronto’s sidewalks of the homeless could have upsetting consequences for queer people living on the streets. Mammoliti, who is chair of Mayor Rob Ford’s homelessness task force, brought these points forward July 6 as he began work with the group. He has proposed moving homeless people off the streets and into transitional housing, by force if necessary. He also plans to close Toronto’s shelters and replace them with transitional housing. One expert on homelessness in Toronto says there are currently many queer people living on the city’s streets and accessing city services. “People do not have a strong understanding of the connection between homophobia and homelessness,” says Alex (Ilona) Abramovich, a PhD
Cathy Crowe says the city has no money to implement Mammoliti’s plans for the homeless. ANDREA HOUSTON
candidate at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at University of Toronto. Abramovich, whose research focuses on queer youth homelessness in Toronto, says many queer youth end up in shelters when they come out of the closet and are kicked out by parents or guardians. The city directly operates nine of 57 local shelters. Rather than outsourcing the shelters, Mammoliti is insisting they be shut down. He instead favours transitional housing, which offers intensive case management and support services for those who are making the change into more stable housing. Mammoliti, however, has not said where he expects people to transition after the time-limited program ends. He did not respond to requests for comment. “The bottom line is there’s not a lot of affordable housing options for people who are marginalized or in great need of complex care,” says Keith Hambly, executive director of Fife House. A provider of affordable housing and services to those living with HIV/ AIDS in the Greater Toronto Area,
Fife House has worked with the city through the Homeless Outreach Program for more than a decade. The program supports homeless or marginally housed people in their searches for appropriate housing. “It is an acknowledgment by the city of the specific homelessness issues for the HIV-positive community,” Hambly says. The program is funded by the city and through Fife House’s fundraising activity. For the HIVpositive, you need a stable housing environment in which to stabilize your health, get reconnected to primary healthcare assistance and then work on whatever other issues that you may be facing.” Mammoliti also wants to see an end to Toronto Community Housing, the largest social-housing provider in the country. In addition, he is calling for more enforcement to get people off the streets. The proposed changes come as no surprise to housing advocates who have seen homelessness and housing issues fall off the priority list of recent City of Toronto administrations. Cathy Crowe, a street nurse and the cofounder of the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, has been fighting for years for improved shelter facilities in the city. Crowe remembers with fondness the days when Jack Layton chaired the Homeless Advisory Committee. She says housing and homelessness have not been given much prominence since. “That was a huge period of policy wins in response to community pressure,” Crowe says, noting that, in theory, those years brought an end to discrimination within the shelter system. Discrimination nevertheless persists. A high proportion of queer homeless youth report feeling safer on the streets than in shelters due to the homophobic and transphobic violence that occurs in the shelter system. “There are some folks who may have experienced discrimination or stigma within the shelter system and are reticent to go back,” Hambly says. Meanwhile, Crowe says she is bewildered at Mammoliti’s planned changes because of its lack of details and funds. “There are no proposed housing changes in what Mammoliti is talking about,” she says. “The city has no money to transform shelters into housing. He simply doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Abramovich agrees, noting that without housing there is very little of substance that can be done for the homeless queer community. “If Mammoliti’s plan to place all homeless people into transitional housing is successful, it will be imperative that the city also implements specialized LGBTQ transitional housing,” Abramovich says.
Numbers 31–37 Dundonald St have been sold to real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. DANNY GLENWRIGHT
Historic Dundonald St homes at risk Developers hoping to build 18-storey condo David Hains FOUR OLD BRICK HOUSES IN THE middle of Dundonald St have been sold to real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, which is brokering a deal for the site to be developed as an 18-storey condo. The deadline for offers on the properties at 31–37 Dundonald was July 19, and the sale has left some area residents anxious and upset. “It’s sad in regards to our city,” says Serafin LaRiviere, who has lived on the street for 12 years. “We don’t have a lot of heritage left in Toronto.” Tree-lined Dundonald St features rows of 100-year-old three-storey brick homes, but as Toronto’s whitehot real estate market swells, downtown density is increasing and putting pressure on historic neighbourhoods. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, a local history enthusiast and former realtor, is currently working to get heritage status for the Dundonald homes in order to block the development and preserve the street’s character. City staff members have not yet delivered a report, but WongTam says she is optimistic. She says the section of the street in question is zoned for neighbourhood use, making it a less likely candidate for an 18-storey building. In a note to potential buyers, associates at Cushman & Wakefield
highlighted what they saw as their path to winning the needed variances: “The property is located in an area that has, and continues to experience significant high density residential development activity.” The statement noted that a building 20 metres to the east is also 18 storeys. Wong-Tam argues the building mentioned is closer to Church St, where, like a similar cluster near Yonge, condo towers are more suitable. She says the proposed 118,000-square-foot build-
WE DON’T HAVE A LOT OF HERITAGE LEFT IN TORONTO. —Dundonald St resident Serafin LaRiviere ing would overshadow a small street like Dundonald, which is part of a larger concern for the area. “It’s the small streets like Gloucester, Dundonald and Monteith where you get really vibrant neighbourhood pockets. Those neighbourhood pockets, with low-rise stable housing, are absolutely essential to the Village and downtown Toronto.” This kind of development battle is now the norm because of Toronto’s unprecedented downtown real estate
boom. Another 18-storey building, with 120 units, has already been proposed for 17 Dundonald St; a first public meeting was held two weeks ago. Wong-Tam says there will be a prolonged fight at 11 Wellesley St W to make that property a public park (for which it is zoned) rather than selling it off to be developed as a condo, and developers who have bought the Sutton Place Hotel, at 955 Bay St, want to renovate it into a 772-unit condo. Wong-Tam says these developments do not fit with the city’s official plan of increasing density and adding housing. “I would say that argument would have been valid up to five years ago,” she says. “But we have exceeded our provincial growth targets, and we’re 20 years in advance to what the province had anticipated.” A contributing factor is the province’s greenbelt strategy, which has encouraged development downtown along transit corridors. With the development creep encroaching on the Village’s leafy neighbourhood streets, LaRiviere also worries about the mixed character that makes the area special. “The neighbourhood streets are slowly disappearing, which is sad . . . There aren’t that many of these [100-year-old downtown homes] anymore. You used to have families living downtown, and we don’t seem to have that anymore.”
8
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
NEWS
Thousands march at WorldPride in London Celebration overshadowed by last-minute cuts to festival Matt Mills
MEET YOUR PERFECT MATCH
Preferred Partners caters to exceptional single men and women who are ready to settle down into a long-term committed relationship with the right person. We help our members achieve their relationship goals by matching them based on long-term compatibility. CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
1 866-467-5252 CANADA’S PREMIER GAY MATCHMAKING SERVICE
www.preferredpartners.ca
DESPITE FINANCIAL AND CITYapproval difficulties that led organizers to drastically scale back festival plans for WorldPride in London, England, throngs of queer people and their allies turned out to march through the streets of the British capital on July 7. After more than two years of planning, WorldPride organizers announced in the days preceding the event that there would be no vehicles or floats in the parade, that the march would begin earlier in the day, at 11am instead of 1pm, that all official events planned for Soho were cancelled, and that the festival stage event planned for Trafalgar Square would end at 6pm. The last-minute cancellations left many shouldering costs for floatbuilding and travel to London. Still, organizers are calling the event a success under the circumstances. After the march, thousands turned out in Trafalgar Square for the concert featuring Boy George, Corey Hart and Deborah Cox, among others. There was also a symbolic passing of the torch from London organizers to board members and staff of Pride Toronto for the next WorldPride celebration, scheduled for 2014 in Toronto. Plans for the London edition of WorldPride reportedly unravelled because Pride organizers didn’t raise all the money needed to cover the costs of the events and because Westminster City Council and London Mayor Boris Johnson declined to support the event completely. Pride London organizers were short the 65,000 pounds cash required by the city as an assurance. They managed to make up that shortfall with the support of Smirnoff and gaydar.com, Pride London interim chair Tony Hughes told Xtra, but by then council said it was too late for the event to proceed as originally planned. “We raised enough pledges but not enough cash to deliver the assurances
VisitBritain and Xtra want to send you to London, England! Visit the contest section of Xtra.ca for your chance to win two round-trip economy tickets courtesy of Air Canada.
Thousands gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square on July 7 to celebrate WorldPride. MATT MILLS
the city wanted for the event,” Hughes said. “They have never before withheld approval to Pride in a case like this. I don’t know what their motivations are.” “The mayor of London has supported this event with 100,000 pounds of taxpayer money,” said London assemblyman Andrew Boff. “He has gifted Trafalgar Square for the day and he is extremely supportive of the event. Remember, this is a community event. It has to be planned by the community themselves because that was the roots of Pride; it was gay people themselves coming together and marching together to show themselves to be proud to be out in London.” “The responsibility for the WorldPride shambles is partly down to the WorldPride organizers in London but also partly down to the mayor of London and Westminster City Council,” said veteran queer activist Peter Tatchell. “They could have rescued the event at the last minute, but they chose not to do so.” The mood in the parade was nevertheless celebratory, with a strong spirit
of political activism. “The corporate commercial aspect is much less this year, thank heavens,” Tatchell said. “We’ve gone back to the roots of the original gay pride march in 1972.” “It’s really wonderful that everyone is here, which is the crucial thing,” said Pride Toronto executive director Kevin Beaulieu. “The community coming together in the streets and standing up to say who we are on a global scale is the most important thing.” Beaulieu said the Pride Toronto contingent learned a great deal about how to organize an international Pride celebration during its visit to London. “We have been planning for a couple of years and have two years ahead of us to make sure things are in place,” he said. “As well as an amazing volunteer body, we also have five staff, which is something London doesn’t have.” — with files from Frank Prendergast For more of Xtra’s WorldPride coverage, including videos from London, visit xtra.ca.
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
9
NATIONAL NEWS
MUSIC
Christian B&B discriminated against gay couple: tribunal
The rap world’s emerging gay embrace
Nathaniel Christopher THE BC HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL has ruled that a Christian couple violated a gay couple’s rights when they denied the two men accommodation at their Grand Forks bed and breakfast in 2009. “There is a clear nexus between the Complainants’ sexual orientation and the denial of accommodation,� wrote tribunal member Enid Marion in her July 17 decision. “Their sexual orientation was a factor, if not the sole factor, in the cancellation of their reservation.� Marion ordered Les and Susan Molnar to cease and desist their discrimi-
natory conduct and to refrain from doing the same or similar in the future. She also ordered the Molnars to pay Shaun Eadie and Brian Thomas $1,500 each as damages for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect, as well as $344 for expenses associated with attending the October 2011 hearings, $850 for lost wages and post-judgment interest until the awards are paid in full. Eadie and Thomas had each requested $2,500 in damages, but Marion decided on the lower ďŹ gure as they were able to find alternate accommodation, and she saw no evidence of ongoing trauma, anxiety or other mental or physical detriment as a result of the Molnars’ discriminatory conduct.
Gay refugee rejection unreasonable, court rules Jeremy Hainsworth A FEDERAL COURT JUDGE HAS RULED that Canada’s refugee adjudicators should not rely on stereotypes to determine whether a person is gay in cases where applicants believe they will be persecuted if returned to their home countries. The decision stems from the case of a gay Nigerian man, wanted by police in his home country for homosexual activities, who was refused refugee status here. A division of Canada’s refugee board ruled Aug 30, 2011, that Francis Ojo Ogunrinde had not proven he was gay, despite sworn affidavits.
Reviewing Judge James Russell ruled that the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board did not give Ogunrinde’s affidavits enough weight in its 2010 decision. Ogunrinde, 40, sought Canada’s protection because homosexuality is a crime in Nigeria. The RPD decided that Ogunrinde is neither credible nor gay. In reviewing the case, Russell said the RPD officer’s reasoning on some points “suggests that she had in mind a set of actions or behaviours which would convince her that the applicant is homosexual.�
Underground rapper Murs releases video about gay relationship Nick Aveling EARLIER THIS MONTH, WITH THE glitter still settling on R&B singer Frank Ocean’s hugely viral coming out, hiphop elder statesman Chuck D made a point almost everyone chose to ignore. “I commend Frank Ocean for coming out and saying it, but it’s not a ďŹ rst because there’s plenty of black male gay singers. Even when they don’t admit it, you kind of know,â€? he told British music magazine NME. He wasn’t strictly wrong. R&B’s decades-long experience with out-ish singers is by now unquestioned and includes names as big as Kenny Greene, Labi Siffre and Luther Vandross. So when a breathless media described Ocean’s revelation as “historic,â€? they might, just slightly, have been exaggerating. (Meanwhile, it remains unclear from Ocean’s coming-out Tumblr post whether the singer is gay or bi.) Said Chuck D, “If you heard somebody like . . . the Wu-Tang Clan or something, if they came out, then that would be groundbreaking. That would be totally challenging.â€? None of this is to diminish Ocean’s affecting and poetic coming out. Nor is it to question the post’s importance. It’s
“I just felt it was crucial for some of us in the hip-hop community to speak up on the issues of teen suicide, bullying and the overall antihomosexual sentiment that exists within hip-hop culture,� said Murs.
only to underscore, as verbosely as possible, apparently, the groundbreaking precedent set by “Animal Style,� the new video from underground rapper Murs. The video sees the LA rapper — who’s straight — play the role of Roderick, a deeply closeted gay man whose con-
icted attitudes toward homosexuality end in tragedy. Spoiler alert: he actually kisses a dude. Though hugely acclaimed among dedicated fans of the genre, the 34-year-old Murs is nowhere near a household name — for now, anyway. Only two weeks after its YouTube release, “Animal Styleâ€? has garnered more than 330,000 views and received big-ups from Entertainment Weekly, The Huffington Post and the New York Daily News. “‘Animal Style’ is a song I did for many reasons,â€? said Murs, nĂŠ Nick Carter, on YouTube. “The ďŹ rst was to be an advocate for people close to me who are out and those who have yet to come out. It’s also a love song, which is nothing new for me. But with this one I wanted to challenge the listener to ask themselves: is the love shared by two people of the same gender really that different than the love I have for my partner of the opposite sex? Finally, I just felt it was crucial for some of us in the hip-hop community to speak up on the issues of teen suicide, bullying and the overall anti-homosexual sentiment that exists within hip-hop culture.â€? Of course, hip-hop culture still has a long way to go (a glance at the comments under “Animal Styleâ€? proves as much). But a gay-themed song by a rapper — not a singer — is a massive, oceanspanning step in the right direction. Watch the Murs video at xtra.ca.
HIV/AIDS
Nathaniel Christopher THE US FOOD AND DRUG ADMINistration (FDA) has approved a drug that could signiďŹ cantly reduce the risk of HIV infection in uninfected individuals. Truvada, a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken daily to prevent infection, was approved for use in conjunction with other safer-sex tools such as condom use and regular HIV testing. The FDA’s July 16 decision to approve the drug was based in part on the results of the three-year iPrEx trial, which showed that Truvada’s daily use by men who have sex with men reduced instances of HIV infection by 42 percent — 90 percent for participants who took the medication consistently enough to have detectable drug levels in their body. The ďŹ ndings were based on 2,499 HIV-negative men and transgender women, in six countries, who have sex with men. Pedro Goicochea, an investigator for the iPrEx study, says Truvada is currently available for use as a PrEP only in the United States, but he’s optimistic that it will be implemented in other parts of the world. “This speeds up the process of issues and guidelines for other countries on the use of Truvada for PrEP,â€? he says. For more on these stories, visit xtra.ca.
BLANSHAY & LEWIS
Canadian Immigration Lawyers Certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Immigration / Refugee Law
Free consultations available for certain immigration categories.
ROBERT ISRAEL BLANSHAY, Barrister & Solicitor JACQUELINE M. LEWIS, Barrister & Solicitor “iTendremos el agrado de asistirle en espaĂąol!â€?
– CARLOS SEBASTIAN: 905-939-9233
Before going to Robert Blanshay we shopped around and bumped into insincere and complacent consultants. Robert Blanshay’s law Office handled our case in a professional, efficient, targeted, at times even tough, yet friendly manner. It was worth every penny.�— Ramiro, Mexico
BEST OF TORONTO
2007
US approves drug to prevent HIV infection
228 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5A 2E8 5 t ' E: robert@apply2canada.com www.apply2canada.com
10
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
KYLE SCANLON PROUD LIFE
xtra.ca The definitive news source for gay and lesbian Canadians
Activist worked to improve lives of trans Canadians
DIFFERENT? SO ARE WE. By youth for youth. Free, confidential and anonymous. Support, information and resources in your area.
CALL CHAT EMAIL
us toll-free from anywhere in Ontario. TTY is available. with us online. Add askus@youthline.ca to any IM program. us your questions or concerns at askus@youthline.ca.
1-800-268-9688
Remember us when making your payroll donations!
CHAMPION MEDIA SPONSOR
At the Same Time Drawing and expanding on a variety of photographic traditions, At the Same Time is a group exhibition featuring the work of six artists: Steven Beckly and Dylan MacNeil (Toronto, ON), Ted Kerr and Zachary Ayotte (Brooklyn, NY), and Colin Quinn and Oisín Share (Manchester, UK). Also featuring the book launch of At the Same Time, documenting the series of exhibitions drawing on the work of the six artists.
DURATION
August 10 - September 22, 2012 OPENING RECEPTION & BOOK LAUNCH
Friday, August 10, 7:30pm
www.clga.ca
Christin Scarlett Milloy COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAID good-bye to local activist and community leader Kyle Scanlon in a touching public memorial Thursday, July 19. Scanlon committed suicide on July 3. “Kyle changed people’s lives,” said Morgan Page. The event, which Page helped organize, was held in Cawthra Park at the 519 Church St Community Centre. Dozens of people gathered to grieve, share stories and listen to heartfelt speeches from Scanlon’s closest friends and colleagues. “The community is mourning for one of its best activists, advocates and friends,” Athena “The community is mourning for one of its Brown told the crowd. The cer- best activists, advocates and friends,” said emony included a candlelight Athena Brown at a service for Kyle Scanlon. vigil, during which the crowd joined together to sing songs, includ- providers] to be inclusive,” says Steing one by the Indigo Girls, Scanlon’s fonknee Wolscht, a colleague in the favourite group. Trans Access Project. Scanlon shared A fixture at The 519 for the past de- with her his secret for getting the gencade, Scanlon worked most recently as eral public to understand trans issues. the organization’s research, education “He was always diplomatic . . . He and training consultant. Previously, he taught me that if you go gently [as opserved as its trans community services posed to] like a bull in a china shop . . . coordinator. In both roles, he was you will be able to get them to appreciinstrumental in creating programs ate your vantage point more easily.” and services that profoundly benefit Before working at The 519, Scanlon the trans community. was a staff member at Pink Triangle It was critically important to Scan- Press, Xtra’s publisher. Tera Mallette, lon that trans people always have who worked with Scanlon at PTP, says a place to find support. In 2000, he he was always patient, soft-spoken took over facilitating The 519’s FTM and friendly, even when the two didn’t support group when its previous fa- see eye to eye. “We didn’t always agree, cilitators were unable to continue. [but] we could always have a very Rupert Raj remembers: “He was like cogent, articulate conversation about a guardian angel . . . he was a beacon whatever we were disagreeing about.” of hope. He made time for people; he Mallette echoes an oft-shared senwent the extra mile and beyond.” timent about Scanlon, that he was A subject very near to Scanlon’s known for his open heart and friendly heart was the prevention of suicide disposition. “He always had a smile on and depression in the queer com- hand,” she says. munity. In 2001, he made Canadian In 2004, Scanlon was instrumental history as the first trans man ever to in founding the Trans Pulse Project. serve as executive director of a queer Through community engagement, agency: the LGBT Youth Line. In fact, Trans Pulse has produced critical it was Scanlon’s idea to add the “T” to research data that demonstrates the the “LGB” in the agency’s name, to need (and therefore helps secure ensure that young trans youth could funding) for accessible healthcare rely on the Youth Line to listen and services across the province. provide critical emotional support in In 2011, Trans Pulse reported that times of need. A statement on Youth 77 percent of Ontario trans people Line’s website reads, “We will re- have considered suicide, and 43 permember Kyle as a warm and generous cent had actually attempted it. That human being.” work, to which Scanlon contributed As leader of The 519’s Trans Access heavily, will lead to more help for Project (established in 2001), Scanlon trans people battling depression, the taught local trans people important same force that claimed Scanlon’s life. job skills, then worked with them Scanlon’s gentle and caring nature through Project Open Door to facili- was reflected in his affection for anitate training workshops for Toronto mals. At his memorial, screens showed service providers. To date, the team dozens of photos of a smiling Scanhas trained more than 8,000 service lon petting animals in exotic locales providers and set up trans-access poli- around the world – he was also known cies at 25 shelters. Due to Scanlon’s for his love of travel. At home, Scanlon work, trans people now have greater cared for his pet cats, the last of which access to desperately needed services passed away shortly before his death. such as shelter, addictions services, Scanlon is survived by his father, counselling, healthcare and refugee a brother, close friends and a comsettlement services. munity that is better for his having “He always made it very easy [for been a part of it.
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
11
arts › entertainment › leisure
Out City IN THE
A GOOD DOORPERSON WILL NOTICE YOUR HAIRCUT, NEW SHOES, WHETHER YOU STAYED HOME THE WEEK BEFORE. THEY ARE ALWAYS GOOD FOR THE JUICIEST GOSSIP. Ryan G Hinds, Toronto at Night ›16
WORKING IT ON STAGE
Queer highlights from this year’s SummerWorks theatre festival Johanna Nutter’s onewoman show documents her brother’s pregnancy and all the family emotions that came with it.
One man and a baby A sister’s tale of her brother’s pregnancy Until trans man Thomas Beattie announced his pregnancy on Oprah, the idea of a man carrying a child usually conjured images of a mid-’90s Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. But for Johanna Nutter, men having babies was nothing new. Her brother (filmmaker James Diamond) gave birth two years before Beattie’s story went viral, a process she documents unflinchingly in her solo show My Pregnant Brother. “I always try to make it clear I’m not trying to tell his story,” the Montrealbased artist says. “It’s my experience as his sister as he goes through this process and the things I learned. More
than anything else, it’s a story about family and the bonds that keep you together.” As the elder of two siblings born to a single mom, Nutter was often left caring for her brother, a dynamic that continues into adulthood. After transitioning and a few failed relationships, her brother found himself unexpectedly knocked up after a brief affair with a squeegee kid and a bottle of Fin du Monde and turned to Nutter for help. Though she knew the narrative would make a compelling play, it took more than three years to start work on the script. She’d applied to the
Like Bert and Ernie An entirely different coming-out story Jesse Stong wants everyone to lay off Anderson Cooper. When the CNN personality smashed free of the glass closet in July, public reaction ranged from casual shrugs over the obvious revelation to righteous indignation at its delay. But for Stong, the lack of any compassion for Cooper’s experience signalled a larger problem. “I don’t actually believe anyone chooses to be in the closet,” the Richmond Hill–born playwright says. “If people aren’t coming out, it’s the result of fear or shock or trauma. People saying Anderson isn’t brave because he waited so long need a reality check. The fact we’re at a point where coming out is still an act of bravery means there’s a lot more progress to be made in the realm of queer acceptance.” An entirely different coming-out story forms the core of Stong’s Sum-
merWorks offering, Breathe for Me. Edith (Deborah Kipp) and Edna (Peggy Mahon) have lived together for more than 50 years. But their relationship’s true nature has been fuzzy to those around them and at times even to themselves. While Edith was previously married and had a son, Edna remained a spinster, battling both epilepsy and alcoholism her entire life. Though they’ve managed a sort of comfortable denial until now, a fight over Edna’s refusal to see a doctor forces them to confront the truth of their life together. “Everyone knows those two old ladies or gentlemen who live together, and no one is really sure if they’re queer or not,” Stong says. “I was lucky to be born in a time when coming out at a young age was the norm. But I’m fascinated by the experiences of a gen-
Chris Dupuis
Montreal Fringe Festival (where the show had its premiere) multiple times before finally getting a slot. “I had so many moments where I felt it was a sign not to go forward,” she says. “Part of me was scared to air my family’s laundry in public. But this play was a bit like a mosquito, refusing to leave me alone.” Her persistence paid off; the show has since toured across Canada, with stops in the US, the UK and Europe. Aware of the questions its content raises, Nutter often holds post-performance talkbacks for audiences. “I’m not a spokesperson for the trans community,” she says. “I just happen to be the sister of someone who’s part of that community. People are often curious about the nuts-andbolts aspects of being trans, but the most common thing that comes up after the show is a genuine concern for how he’s doing. “The biggest thing I’ve learned through this process is that it’s so incredibly hard to fall in love,” she adds. “If someone manages that, it should be celebrated. Hopefully, we get to the point where it doesn’t matter if that person is a man or a woman.” Trans-identified people unable to afford the cost of the show can receive a complimentary ticket by contacting the artist through her website. My Pregnant Brother Thurs, Aug 9–Sat, Aug 18 Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace 16 Ryerson Ave mypregnantbrother.com
eration who may never formally come out even if they know it themselves.” Stong’s own slide down the rainbow was documented during his 2005 stint as fab magazine’s Twink columnist. A student of social work at Ryerson, he had next to no writing experience beyond a teenaged diary when theneditor Mitchel Raphael (who now runs the monthly Sodom parties) offered him the gig. “I was totally obsessed with Sex and the City and had this idea I would move downtown and become the gay Carrie Bradshaw of Toronto,” Stong laughs. “I wrote about bathhouse experiences and getting Pride tattoos, eating disorders and discrimination against bottoms. It was sort of like growing up on paper, which is probably why I’m so interested in coming-out stories.” Breathe for Me: A Finely Aged Love Story Thurs, Aug 9–Sat, Aug 18 Factory Theatre Mainspace 125 Bathurst St summerworks.ca
Edmund White’s Terre Haute explores the relationship between Gore Vidal and Timothy McVeigh. ALEJANDRO SANTIAGO
Gore, sex and terror Alistair Newton tackles Edmund White’s play about the Oklahoma City bombing Though he’s penned essays, novels, biographies and memoires, gay American writer Edmund White hasn’t been known as a playwright in his nearly six decades at the keyboard. That may be why Toronto theatre artist Alistair Newton hadn’t heard of White’s 2006 play Terre Haute when he interviewed him last January. “It came up during our conversation I ran a theatre company, and he offhandedly suggested I give the piece its Canadian premiere,” says the creator of The Pastor Phelps Project and Of a Monstrous Child: A Gaga Musical. “I tracked down a copy and found it so transgressive, I felt compelled to do it.” Though White’s play isn’t well known, its background story is. On April 19, 1995, decorated Gulf War veteran Timothy McVeigh detonated a bomb outside a government building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children, an act he considered retribution for the government’s botched raid of the cult leader David Koresh’s compound in 1993, which resulted in 83 deaths. Executed in 2001, McVeigh exchanged letters in his final years with another gay American writer, Gore Vidal. Vidal was writing a series of articles on McVeigh for Vanity Fair; the letters formed part of his research. Though they never actually met, a curious penpal relationship developed between the
pair, which White reimagines as a psychosexual drama set in the maximumsecurity prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, where McVeigh spent his final days. “It’s a fascinating twist on the relationship where McVeigh sees Vidal as a sort of grandfatherly figure he can learn from and Vidal sees McVeigh as a dangerous sex object,” Newton says. “It says a lot about masculinity and the dark side of gay male sexuality, how gay men are often attracted to these roughtrade types that arouse and threaten them at the same time.” Beyond simple sexual tension, the work posits challenging questions about violence, namely that all perpetuators of bloodshed see its justification in achieving their political aims. “We have this infinite loop, terror fighting terror, in the world,” Newton says. “Whether it’s Timothy McVeigh or Janet Reno, John Ashcroft or al Qaeda, all of them will tell you the ends justify the means. It just depends what side of the argument you are sitting on, whether you agree with them or not. If you’re going to deal with the ramifications of an act of terror, you have to engage with the rage that breeds it.” Terre Haute Thurs, Aug 9–Sat, Aug 18 Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington Ave eccehomotheatre.com
12
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
FEATURE
The annual party is already flaming-hot fun. Organizers say it may be time to officially make it a gay-friendly space.
Caribana’s queerchallenge Jonathan Valelly
T
HE SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN Carnival weekend has never offered more to queer people. Although the organization itself doesn’t put on any events specific to this community, gay parties and events on the periphery of the parade and festivities continue to grow every year. Enter DJ Blackcat, a gay JamaicanCanadian promoter who has been hosting and playing at queer events for black, Caribbean and other communities in Toronto for more than 20 years. According to him, there’s been a recent explosion of enthusiasm for the parties he throws on what is known to many as Caribana weekend. This year is no exception, and Caribana weekend will be full of parties hosted by Blackcat and others, including an all-women’s party at Harlem Lounge and the House of Monroe’s outdoor Summer Sizzle Ball on the Zipperz patio. Blackcat expects them all to be huge. “Last year and the year before we did over a thousand people on the Sunday night,” he says. “And it isn’t just black people at the events, which is amazing to see. The white kids are loving me now, and the ladies are loving me.” In past years, Xtra has written about the parallel tensions of Caribana: many Caribbean gays and lesbians and other people of colour don’t feel comfortable in white-dominated queer spaces, while gay people don’t always feel welcome or comfortable in Caribbean spaces, which are often perceived as homophobic. But Blackcat sees the increasing popularity of his and other events as evidence of emerging mutual support. The organizers of the parade and other official Carnival events tend to agree
that people are more willing than ever to celebrate the two cultures together. “I think it’s not that the Caribbean has changed but that the Caribana people have changed,” says Stephen Weir, a representative of the Carnival. “Most of the people running the camps can trace their roots back to Trinidad, but they are Canadian, and they are very much part of Toronto in terms of a willingness to be all-inclusive, whereas maybe 30 years ago that wasn’t the case.” Councillor Joe Mihevc, who has long been the festival’s liaison to city hall, also has hopeful, if hesitant, comments on the issue. “Of course, homophobia is present everywhere, and it is present in the broader festival community. But I think that there will be an openness and a reception and a willingness,” Mihevc says. “The LGBT involvement in the
Rhoma Spencer as the paper doll, a living newspaper who sings about the scandals of the day. MARSHA EDWARDS
Loreta Zubas Voula Michaelidis Lambert Boenders t Workplace Matters t Human Rights Issues t Discrimination and Harassment t Human Resource Strategies
191 John Street, Suite 300 Toronto, Ontario M5T 1X3
festival is a new experience, and it will stretch the imagination of the community. That’s a good thing.” As for attending the parade, Blackcat says being out has never been a problem for him. “I’ve not had an incident; I’m very comfortable going to the parade,” he says. “I know a lot of people who go to Caribana and who are very comfortable with who they are and don’t have any problems.” By these accounts, it would seem queer people are finally staking a space in the Carnival parade and broader community. However, the experiences of other participants and Carnival organizers tell a different story. Rhoma Spencer, a queer TrinidadianCanadian Carnival performer, has been organizing Caribana events for years, including an opening parade celebration called Jouvay (a play on the name of the traditional carnival opening event, the J’Ouvert, itself a Creole corruption of the French jour ouvert — “day opening”), to be held at Harbourfront Centre this year. Spencer says her sexuality has not gotten in the way of organizing in the Carnival community, though it can be a source of tension. “Some people know that I’m a lesbian, some don’t. I’m still aware that in that Caribbean space, some people will be prejudiced, so I’m not going to call attention to myself,” she says. “It doesn’t stop me from being a part of anything that has to do with a Carnival, because it’s my culture. “A lot of our queer presence is not visible in the Carnival in Toronto. They don’t feel welcome. They are present in all of the bands, but they are not outwardly gay. You would hardly see a man jamming up on a man going down the
Lake Shore without it being frowned upon or made a spectacle.” Even so, Spencer recalls her own visible intervention in 2006, when her ole mas (traditional costumes) band had a section of classic blue devils played by lesbians and transgender people, some of whom still participate in the parade. Jamea Zuberi has been a bandleader in the parade for 23 years and agrees that visibility is an issue. Zuberi, who identifies as queer, organizes the Pelau Masqueerade, a Carnival-inspired mas group that marches in the Pride parade to great success. Even so, she is hesitant to bring something like Pelau to Caribana. “I personally still think it’s not safe enough,” Zuberi says. “There was a rumour [of a queer mas band] one year, and the rumour was really not taken well. So can you imagine if this were real?” What is clear, at least, is that there is nothing new about queer involvement in Toronto’s Carnival, nor in the Trinidadian Carnival tradition that inspired it. “In any band you will see LGBT people in the costumes, and ‘flaming’ ones, if I can use that word in quotes — you can tell people are LGBT-identified,” Zuberi says. “The machinery, the architecture behind the Carnival has always had a strong LGBT presence, whether outwardly so or closeted,” Spencer adds. Indeed, performers like Spencer and Zuberi are quick to mention that the most popular mas artists in Trinidad, such as Peter Minshall and Brian MacFarlane, are gay. This year the Royal Ontario Museum has invited MacFarlane to do a Carnival exhibition, opening July 28.
Expand your contact list. Employment Law Firm in Downtown Toronto Tel: -416-593-5844 Toll Free: 1-866-920-5844 www.employment-lawyers.ca
Canada’s gay & lesbian business directory — in print and online.
indexdirectory.ca NEXT TORONTO RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 15
Acco mm od Resources ations Acco untants Banking Ba Apartments Ar t Ga Ad ult Adve rtising Busin ess &nkruptcy Bars & Clubslleries Ar t Supplies Agencies AIDS/HIV Butchers Ca Profe ssional Orga Bicycles Bookkeep Ar tis ts Ar ts & Craft Co mm un ity rpet Cleaning Cater niz ati ons Busin ess ing Books & Magaziness Contrac tin Grou ps & Se rviceing Chat Lines Chee Su pp lie s & Se rvice Crises Servig & Renovations Co s Co mp ute r Co ns se Shops Chocolatierss Dermatologces & Shelters Cross-okwa re Cosmetic ultan ts Co ns tru cti on Gardening y Drag Enter tainm Dressing Dating Se Services Counsellin Graphic De rvi g ent Events & Barbers He sig Framing &ces Dental Services alth & Person Services Grocery Gy Posters Fu Home Impro nal Care ms Hair rnitur Inv nves tmen vements & Repairs HoHealth Food & Nutrit Removal Hair Stylist e s ion Home Fu tels Illustrato rvice ces Jewelle Leather Lift Servi rnishing el ery rs Insura ry Certified/R e Legal Services Lim& Jewellers rs Juice Ba nce Interior Designs Kitch chens Lawy & Storage egistered Massage ousine Services Lo rs Kit wye ers rs Me Mu ck ats sm sic iths Massag & Delicates Optical Se Personal Tra sens rvices Optom eindexdir ine Ph ho tory.ca etrists OrgaMortgages Moving oto t gr ap h errsrs Pet Care Petec Sit ting & Board nic s Plu P lum um Publicatio he mb biing i ng Po ticcia ing Pet Sto Food Painting c ian nss Pssy res Re creati onns Real Es tate Real liti & yc Su ch h ho pp olo log lies giist sts tss P sy ycch ge Cafes Sexu Re fle xo log y Re no Es tate Ag ho en ents o th errap ts Real Es Ps aap py y tate Inv he Ta x Se rv iceal Counselling Spa va tio ns & R Re ssto torrat ati on s Re staes tments Tree Service s Te lec om mu nic Services Ta ke Ou t ion ura nt s & ati & s De on Tro live s ph Tra ry Tattooin ies Upholst Yo ns po rta tio og ga Accomm ga ery g m n mo We od Tra da b Sites We at ati tion tio on HIV Re ns Accoun Resso ddings Wo ve l Agen cie s ou ur urcess A unta tan ntts Ap ts Adult pa me art rtm Banking Barce ultt Advert m me en ntts Art G ller nts rtising Agenn’s Services ies es A Art Busin ess &nkruptcy Bars & ClubsGa ciess AID cie A DS lie Artis S/ / Bicycles Bo Supplies Profe ssion t sts ts Arts & CrIDS Butchers Ca ok al ke Or ep aft a ts ga Co mm un ity rpet Cleaning Cater niz ati ons Busin ess ing Books & Magaziness up ps & Se rv ing Chat Lines Chee Su pp lie s & Se rvice ps Contrac tin y Grou ice s Co mp se Shops Ch s Ren no pu ov ute Crises Servig & Re va ocola tio r Co ns ultan on nss Cook ces & Sheltati ts Co ns tru tiers Derm ers Cross- wa re Cosmeti r ato eticc Serv cti on ollog D ag rvice icess Co ag En E t taiinm Dressing Dating Se Se Gardening y Dr l ling Graphic De ter rvices Denta unsellin e t Events & Barbers He sign Serviceen l Fr F Fra Services am mi ing ng & s Grocery Gy alth & Perso Po P ste t rs Fu Ho om F me urn na ms e Im rni l mp itu it Ca Ha turre pro re rov ir Removal e ve Health Food em me en nts ts Inv Ha & ve Re esstm ir & ep Sty tm pa Nu me air irs i s Hotels Illu list en erv trition Home rv rviice cces ewelle ustr stra Leather Lift Se Furnishingss rat ato to ors el ry & Jew rs Ins IInsu ura e Legal Se Jew ran ncce e Int ellerrss Ju In erior Certifi rvi rtifie o Desig Jui e Ba ed d/ s gn /R B rss Kit Re n eg gis isttered Me ces Limousine Servi ce Ki K tch ch en Music Op s Lawy ats & Delica ces Locksm wye pti ers ticca rs tessens tes iths Massag cess Op Pet Care Peall Service n ptom metr rtga etris eag ge isttss Organics Mortg es Movin es ving Plu mb ing t Sit ting & Boarding g& Fo rage Po Poliliti Pet Stores od Painting g Personal Storag ticcia ian nss Ps yc ho Estat TOeRO Tra & ReNT ine Su all Es log rs pp O’S lies Photo ist s Psyc ho tate tat GA e Ag AYge Reno en &nt BUva h oth graphers LE ts Re SIN the SBal era tioES IAEs rrap ap ns S&DI py Ntat y Pu t e Inv P ub ReRE I ve blilica sto CT ccaati esstm Servi OR rat tio tm on Ys Resta te ion n s Real ns s Ta FALce Tak al L 201 e Ou urants & Caents Recreation Outt & Delive 1 ke o Refle Transpo fl xolog livery fes ry Tat rta T ooing Tax Tax ServiceSexual Counselling Sp y Sites Wedd tion Travel Agencieatttoo s Telec s Tree Servi a ings Wome l ec om m mu un n’s Service ces Trophies nic ica atio on nss s Yoga Upholsteryati Web
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
Top, 2011 Jouvay celebrations. Above, a dancing blue devil. MARSHA EDWARDS
Blackcat wants to create a Church St fair to be held during Caribana. CHRISTOPHER CUSHMAN
Even beyond these crucial gay individuals, the Carnival tradition itself has many queer aspects. “Crossdressing has always been a big part of J’Ouvert and ole mas, and in no time during the carnival do you not see people crossdress,” Spencer says. “Carnival is a time where we are allowed for that two days to strip ourselves and reveal who we really are.” Zuberi says Carnival has been a liberating experience for friends of hers undergoing gender transition. “A man saying, ‘I am going to go in a female costume, and you are going to tailor a female costume to fit me and my genitals,’ is an act of resistance,” she explains. Indeed, one of the J’Ouvert performance’s most popular characters — the planter’s wife, Dame Lorraine — is always played by a man. And to add to the
playful sexuality of the J’Ouvert, which emerged from emancipation celebrations in Trinidad, Dame Lorraine and many characters have comically exaggerated genitals and gender markers. Zuberi also emphasizes the way in which Toronto’s Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention is extremely visible as a queer-positive presence along the Lake Shore Blvd parade route. So, if there are so many queer people producing Carnival celebrations, in Trinidad and in Toronto, and if so much about the celebration itself has queerness running through it, the question arises: why isn’t there a queer mas band or queer party with an official link to the Carnival organization? Cassandra Lord, a PhD student and researcher at the University of Toronto, wants to reconsider how, and why, that question is asked. Lord, whose work follows the Pelau Masqueerade and the experiences of people of colour at Pride, wonders if it’s even productive to apply the same standard of visibility to the Caribbean Carnival that we do to Pride. “Is it that we want to see people with a flag, or with a banner? Is it possible that it could look differently from how we think about queerness from a North American perspective?” Lord asks. “It’s important to have that representation there, but I don’t think it has to look the same way. We could create something that could be there that didn’t come out screaming, but which has eased its way in.” Nobody is exactly sure how this kind of progress might manifest. DJ Blackcat, for one, imagines a street fair on Church St that could run alongside the Caribbean Carnival. Yet even he has his doubts about how that would happen. “I think we’re asking for these things, and we’re not ready for what that will entail for us sometimes,” he says. “If it’s going to happen it will be a group of people, some that are in the party scene, some that are more politically aware . . . But I think it can happen, and I think it can happen in my time.” For Spencer, too, it’s going to take something really big. “The only way that the Carnival here will seem to be a welcoming space for queer people is if, for instance, Toronto Pride itself would have a float or a band in the guest band category, which is for community organizations,” she insists. “So much of what goes on in Pride today is a carbon copy of the Carnival: the notion of music trucks, of costumes. Pride should take on the job of partnering with the Carnival one year and come down the Lake Shore to promote the work of Toronto Pride, and so doing, the Carnival will be making a statement that hey, we welcome you.” The challenge stands.
CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER My professional life is dedicated to fortifying, safeguarding, and championing my clients. For 19 years, I’ve been fighting and winning criminal cases. When I commit to your case, I will personally evaluate the evidence, answer all your questions, and build an organized, aggressive, and gripping defence strategy. While I can never guarantee or predict the outcome of any case, I can promise two things: I will be honest and up front at all times; and I will do everything in my power to win your case.
CRAIG PENNEY
205 – 120 CARLTON ST 416.410.2266
To witness my winning strategies, I invite you to review my extensive videos, testimionials, and case profiles on-line:
www.CraigPenney.com
13
Caribana Parties DJ Blackcat’s unofficial Caribana kickoff Wed, Aug 1, 10pm Upstairs at The Barn 418 Church St
Heat: Bare as You Dare Party for queer women and friends Fri, Aug 3, 10pm Pacha Lounge 1305 Dundas St W
All Girls Caribana LongWeekend Extravaganza Hosted by Pleasure Her Entertainment Sat, Aug 4, 10:30pm Harlem Lounge 67 Richmond St E
Walk Out Pyon a Gal Fe Caribana DJs Unruly Twin, JJ Rock, Roman and Pleasure, with pornstars Romeo Sanchez and Climaxxx Sat, Aug 4,10pm Suba Lounge 292 College St
Summer Breeze Street Party Patio With DJs Blackcat and Pleasure Sun, Aug 5, 3–10pm Zipperz-Cellblock patio 72 Carlton St
House of Monroe Summer Sizzle Ball Sun, Aug 5, 6pm Zipperz-Cellblock patio 72 Carlton St
Go Hard: The Urban Jungle DJ Blackcat co-hosts with Big Primpin’ Includes DJs Unruly Twin, JJ Rock and the Yes Yes Y’all crew and features a military mini-ball with House of Monroe Sun, Aug 5, 10pm fly 8 Gloucester St
Daytime Events Carnival: From Emancipation to Celebration Brian MacFarlane Opens Sat, July 28 Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queen’s Park
Jouvay Presented by Rhoma Spencer and Theatre Archipelago Fri, Aug 3, 7pm Harbourfront Centre, Redpath Stage, 235 Queen’s Quay W
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade Sat, Aug 4, 10am–6pm Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Blvd torontocaribbeancarnival.com
Butchwearbw.ca
is a True Lesbian Website that offers FREE Chat line/ Video Dating, Advice Column, Movies, Sex Toys, 69 Shades of Gay & Lots More!
WE WANT YOUR BOOKS DVD’s, Graphic Novels & XXX.
Paying Cash. ABC BOOKS 662 Yonge St. 416-967-7654
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
listings ›
For more listings, go to xtra.ca
ART & PHOTOGRAPHY Charlie Katz: A Memorial Exhibition A survey of the work of the late AIDS activist and celebrated artist, showcasing an impressive selection of abstract paintings. Runs till Sat, Aug 11. Paul Petro Contemporary Art, 980 Queen St W. Free. paulpetro.com
trans/FORM An exhibition featuring eight Toronto-based artists exploring new methods and approaches to contemporary art. Featuring Jaime Angelopoulos, Georgia Dickie, Jennifer Rose Sciarrino and more. Part of the ongoing Platform Toronto series, which celebrates and cultivates local talent. Runs till Sun, Aug 12. MOCCA, 952 Queen St W. mocca.ca
Picasso: Masterpieces from the MusÊe National Picasso, Paris Seize the opportunity to see works from the legendary multidisciplinary artist up close and personal. Runs till Sun, Aug 26. AGO, 317 Dundas St W. $12.50–62.50. ago.net
FILM & VIDEO Jorey: Mavericks of American Dance Bob Hercules’ ďŹ lm chronicles the American dance company
that revolutionized ballet by incorporating modern dance and classical methods. Narrated by Mandy Patinkin and featuring Kevin McKenzie, Helgi Tomasson, Lar Lubovitch and others. Runs Fri, July 27–Tues, July 31, various showtimes. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St W. $11. bloorcinema.com
LEISURE & PLEASURE Salsa Masala A new weekly community event featuring live performances, beats and dance lessons. Sun, July 29, 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. Free. crewsandtangos.com
only. Mon, July 30, 7–9pm. Good for Her, 175 Harbord St. goodforher.com
Bigger, Better and Multiples: Orgasms for Women Carlyle Jansen leads an informative workshop on extending full-body orgasms, ďŹ nding your G-spot and learning how to come multiple times. Women only. Thurs, Aug 2, 7–10pm. Good for Her, 175 Harbord St. $33. goodforher.com
Gitch Underwear Party
Second Annual Cherry Bomb Cruise Get wet and sticky at this aquatic bash aboard the newly renovated Aurora Borealis as it cruises the Toronto Islands. Featuring stellar DJs Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson, cocktailing, dancing and more. Sun, July 29, 12:30–5pm. Pier 27, foot of Yonge St. $25. cherrybombtoronto.com
Stripping and Lap Dancing with ConďŹ dence Sexy diva and burlesque performer Sasha Van Bon Bon hosts a workshop about taking it o with power, conďŹ dence and control. Women and trans women
The spanking new underwear line throws a tight-and-wet bash — celebrate and dance the night away in next to nothing. Hosted by Todd Klinck, with DJ Justin E. Cash prize for best body. Fri, Aug 3, 10pm. Goodhandy’s, 120 Church St. $6 before 11pm, $8 after, free for students. goodhandys.com
Full Fetish Friday Canadian Leather Man 2004 Paul C hosts a slippery night of military attire, sports getups, uniform and leather fetish. Featuring demos and more. Dress code encouraged but not mandatory. Fri, Aug 3, 10pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. Free. blackeagletoronto.com › continued on page 16
Sasha Van Bon Bon hosts a lap-dancing workshop July 30.
xtra.ca The deďŹ nitive news source for gay and lesbian Canadians ROBERT G.COATES,
B.SC, LL.B, TEP BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY CERTIFIED SPECIALIST (ESTATES & TRUST LAW)
Dans un monde dominÊ par les communications, deviens l’expert des relations publiques recherchÊ par les employeurs torontois grâce à La CitÊ collÊgiale !
VALERIE A. CHANG, B.A., J.D. BARRISTER & SOLICITOR
Il est encore temps de t’inscrire au programme de Relations publiques d’une durÊe de deux ans, offert sur le campus du Collège universitaire Glendon.
Viens vivre une expÊrience inoubliable : t "DD¡T ° VO QSPHSBNNF EF GPSNBUJPO FO GSBO¾BJT EF RVBMJUœ t 5BVY E FNQMPJ EFT EJQMà NœT t #PVSTFT E FOUSœF EF
*OTDSJT UPJ E¡T NBJOUFOBOU -FT DPVST EœCVUFOU FO TFQUFNCSF
C
E SI N
R.G. COATES ESTATE LAW P.C. 120 Carlton Street, Suite 307 Toronto, Ontario M5A 4K2 Tel. (416) 925-6490 Fax (416) 925-4492 web: www.rgcoates.com email: robert@rgcoates.com email: valerie@rgcoates.com
1981
QPTUF www.lacitec.on.ca/promotions/toronto.htm
COR-12-070
14
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
15
16
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
SERVICE
Kiss your bouncers & barstaff Toronto at Night Ryan G Hinds
T
ORONTO AT NIGHT FEATURES many personalities. The balance of people we meet on any given night is a diverse one, with everyone from TTC drivers to coatcheck girls to drunken queers and towel boys (should you choose to end your revelry at one of our city’s finer bathhouses) coming to bear on the kind of night you’ll have. Although I generally believe in bringing along a positive attitude in my handbag when I head out, I want to send an extra special dose of adoration to the security folk and bartenders out there, and I think you should, too. A good doorperson sets the tone for the night ahead and will give you a smile on the way in. A great doorperson will have a bit of a chat, let fly with a razor-sharp one-liner or factoid you’ll quote for the next two days and otherwise ensure you know you’re among friends. If you “enjoy” your evening a bit too much, they’ll make sure you get out of the building without hurting yourself. If that cutie in the corner shoots you down, they’ll commiserate with you on your way out. If you end up departing à deux, they’ll give you a thumbs-up or -down and maintain radio silence when you show up with someone else the next week.
A good doorperson will notice your haircut, new shoes, whether you stayed home the week before. They are always good for the juiciest gossip (one of the benefits of having to remain sober on the job is that you can peep everyone else’s misbehaviour). Let me put it this way: treat them as you would want to be treated, because like that old Sylvester song says, they are your friends. Should they be kind enough to throw favours your way, be it a line bypass or no cover, remember these actions are exactly that: favours. Do not take them for granted. A gentleman I’m rather fond of and who has worked more than a few doors around town recently left one of them, only to run into a regular on the street and be told, “That sucks! Who’s going to let me in for free now?” I was livid, and he was justifiably hurt. Here he is, dealing with said regular’s sorry drunken ass week in and week out only to be treated like a discarded free ticket. I’m not as much of a gentleman as my friend, because if I were in his shoes, I would see to it that this person never received a favour again. I would see to it that door staff charge him double cover and make him wait twice as long. Most certainly, I would see to it that he understood I am a person with feelings who is working while he’s having fun. This doorperson had no obligation to give this customer any kind of attention but did because he’s a nice guy. Remember that the next time you walk into a party. While I’m dishing on the bouncers,
MOST PEOPLE YOU MEET IN A CLUB WON’T REMEMBER YOUR NAME FIVE MINUTES LATER, BUT A GOOD BARTENDER WILL REMEMBER YOUR NAME AND YOUR DRINK. Above, this hunky fellow deserves your respect. TONY FONG
I can’t ignore the bartenders. They deserve every cent they make and every cent you tip them, because you haven’t seen rude until you’ve seen a boozy queer throwing ’tude because he thinks someone else was served ahead of him. Shit gets real at the bar and bartenders have to deal with it, as one of my barkeep friends says, and unless you want watered-down, over-iced drinks and slow service, you’d do well to treat them with the respect they’re entitled to. Most people you meet in a club won’t remember your name five minutes later, but a good bartender will remember your name and your drink — not an easy task when you’re serving hundreds of people a night. Many bartenders aren’t there because they like you, but every now and then one will let his or her feelings show; I have it on good authority that some of them even love you, and they should get our love right back. Ultimately, it goes back to respect. I know we all want to run around pretending to be more fabulous than we actually are, doing choreography from videos and screeching Nicki Minaj at the top of our lungs, but we get to do that because of the safe and welcoming environment security and bar staff give us. It’s not always the party hosts or DJs who are the true stars of your favourite club night. The security and bar staff are the front line of Toronto nightlife, and they deserve a kiss for dealing with us. Toronto at Night appears in every other issue of Xtra.
IMMIGRATION LAW
HEALTH & ISSUES Emerge A small-group setting designed for queer newcomers to Canada, this workshop explores identity in a welcoming and warm environment. Fri, July 27, 6pm. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. the519.org
Underbear is Fri, July 27 at the Black Eagle.
Underbear Rip off the denim and expose the bear truth at an underwear party to support the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation. Wear your favourite jock or underwear alongside models and gogo dancers while DJ Knight Muzic spins late into the morning. Fri, July 27, 10pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. No cover. blackeagletoronto.com
A peer-support and discussion group focused on community and solidarity. Thurs, Aug 2, 8–10pm. Sherbourne Health Centre, 333 Sherbourne St. Free. torontobinet.org
Certified by the Law Society as a Specialist in Immigration/Refugee Law Proveemos Servicios Legales en Español
MUSIC Sonya Jezebel Côté
s Same-sex sponsorships s Refugee claims
s Appeals s Skilled workers Proud to be serving the community for over 16 years
Best lawyer
160 Bloor St. East, Suite 1000 Toronto, Ontario M4W 1B9
J o r d a n B a t t i s t a LLP B a r r i s t e r s
&
S o l i c i t o r s
www.jordanbattista.com
xtra.ca Wondering what other readers think? Go to xtra.ca and check out the reader comments on the bottom of every news story. LIKE us on Facebook at facebook.com/xtra.ca
› continued from page 14
Bisexual Women of Toronto
Michael Battista Barrister & Solicitor
416-203-2899 ext. 31 mbattista@jordanbattista.com
listings ›
FOLLOW us on Twitter at xtra.ca_canada
75 minutes of torch songs accented by dreamy jazz in one bilingual cabaret performance. Fri, July 27, 6–9pm. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament St. $20 door, $15 advance. pubaret.com
Sheroes Virtual Season An electric evening showcasing local talent, including the relentlessly shirtless Kids on TV, House of Monroe and others. Featuring DJ Cozmic Cat and visual candy in the form of video installations. Sun,
Backbeat runs till Sept 2 at the Royal Alex Theatre.
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
17
NEIGHBOURHOOD For more listings, go to xtra.ca July 29, 10pm. Cecil Community Centre, 58 Cecil St. $8 advance, $10 door. whippersnapper.ca
Kate Reid Live Be serenaded by the acclaimed musician, activist and comedian as she tours across Canada in promotion of her latest record, Doing It for the Chicks. Thurs, Aug 2, 8pm. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament St. $10 advance, $15 door. katereid.net
Justice & M83 Brooding French electronic duo Justice joins the shoe-gazing, psychedelic synth-pop of M83 in an open-air show. Featuring Polaris Prize–nominated Austra and Buraka Som Sistema. Bring sunscreen. Sat, Aug 4, 5pm. Fort York Garrison Common, 250 Fort York Blvd. $49. rotate.com
STAGE Beirut The plague cometh. A sexually charged production that tells the tale of two lovers struggling to survive amidst a deadly epidemic in New York City. Directed by Mac Starring and featuring Anthony Ulc and Mitra S Bullock. Runs Thurs, July 26–Sun, Aug 5, various showtimes. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin St. $20 advance, $25 door.
[Title of Show] This self-reflexive, one-act musical lays out the blood, sweat and tears that pave the road for the project’s own entry into the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Written by Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen. Runs till Sun, July 29, 8pm. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. $25. lowerossingtontheatre.com
Reveal Me A riotous night of drag, burlesque, dancing and cruising. Featuring a glittery roster of performers, including Daytona Bitch, Red Herring, Coco Framboise, Mina LaFleur and others. Wed, Aug 8, 8pm. The Rivoli Café, 332 Queen St W. $10. rivoli.ca
Avenue Q The story of Princeton, the naive but well-intended college graduate who gets swallowed by the streets of New York, continues to entertain. Sometimes a boy just needs a little purpose. Runs till Sun, Oct 7, various showtimes. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. $49–60. lowerossingtontheatre.com
Backbeat So please, love me do. A raucous story that examines the genesis of one of the most influential pop outfits ever, The Beatles. Featuring renditions from the seminal pop-rockers; directed by the award-winning David Leveaux. Runs till Sun, Sept 2, various showtimes. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St W. $36–93. mirvish.com
Snap, crackle, pop Local photographer makes noise here and over the border Serafin LaRiviere SOMETIMES IT SEEMS THAT ANYONE can call themselves a photographer these days, armed with digital cameras, high resolution printers and some basic Photoshop ability. But skills like composition, lighting and perspective can’t be replicated by computer software and still serve to set the trained artist aside from the dabbling hobbyist. Dale Reid’s photographs are about as far away from computer-assisted imagery as you can get: pears dance their way across rain backdrops, parrot tulips explode majestically toward the viewer, and oyster mushrooms reveal an intricate terrain of ridges and veins in black-and-white shots that are both aesthetically pleasing and visually provocative. And it’s all done with nary a computer or electrical cord in sight. “You can do amazing things with film if you put your mind to it,” says Reid, whose camera of choice is a mediumformat Mamiya. Given the laborious effort required in manually developing these shots, one can’t help but ask if she’s ever considered a high-grade digital camera. She laughs. “That’s a foul language to me. I’ve seen blackand-white digital, and there’s no depth or feeling to it. They feel very flat.” Like that of so many artists, Reid’s work began as a hobby, indulged during cross-country driving holidays with her wife, Pauline. Back then she
Dale Reid, right, says she has never considered a high-grade digital camera — “that’s a foul language to me.”
was working as an accountant in a stuffy bank — and living as a man. “Before leaving the bank I found myself stealing time for photography,” she says. “I had taken a photography course at Ryerson, and we travelled quite a lot, taking photographs of the places we visited.”
Reid’s transition to full-time artist coincided with a major life change. Pauline was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, causing her husband to examine what he wanted out of his life. “My interest in photography has always been there, and it started becoming more prevalent and as more of an outlet in the early ’90s because that’s when Pauline ended up in a wheelchair. It was primarily summer-driven at first, but in 1999 I started looking at photography as an art form. I took the photography course at Ryerson and was told I had an eye for it. “I began planning to leave the bank, but I had to have a magic number in order to take early retirement,” she says. “And of course, we had to make sure there were still benefits in place for Pauline.” And so Reid’s transition from a male banker to female photographer was a gradual one. “It just evolved over time,” she says. “I started going to [Toronto drag store] Walk on the Wildside and dressing, then going back home in male mode. I didn’t flaunt it in a mini-skirt.” She is now quite fearless when it comes to putting herself and her work out there for all to see. She frequently travels to cities such as Chicago and New York, taking part in trade shows and schmoozing with gallery owners and critics. “I tell artists you can’t just work the show floor, you need to work the streets,” she says. “You can’t just go back to your safe hotel room at the end of the day. You need to be out there with your work, and you need to believe in it and in yourself.” For more information visit dalemreidphotography.com.
HARVEY L. HAMBURG Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public Many Years of Experience in Real Estate, Wills and Estate Administration
416-968-9054 Serving our community for more than 25 years 120 Carlton St., Suite 215 (at Jarvis St.) e-mail: hhamburg@sympatico.ca
18
XPOSED
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
Marcus McCann’s latest collection of poems is anything but predictable.
A hard man is good to find
Anna Pournikova
You know when a party’s called Get It, Got It, Good it’s probably gonna be a rude boy time. It’s gonna be the kind of sweaty get-down-and-dirty that you should wear your frosted-pink tips at and leopard-print top, right? Well, Ali got the memo loud and clear, people. So I almost stole Oliver’s lip balm (on the right), but to be fair, I really did think it was a present. I mean, who just gives out lip balm to try? Brett and I spent a lot of time trying to cool off in the balmy weather outside of Holy Oak, hacking butts and talking about boxing.
William and Liam were my tour guides at Holy Oak. Yes, I need a guide to navigate a 30-by-30-foot room. They helped me reach the dance/drink/outside for air balance that is so key in these air-conditioning-less situations.
Meditations on pissing in public and puffy coats Billeh Nickerson PERHAPS I’M GOING OUT ON A LIMB, but I’ll speculate that no other book of poetry published in Canada this year will include meditations on dunk tanks (that’s dunk without an r, you party animals), pissing in public, saxophones, orgasms and puffy coats. This is a good thing. Poetry is too often predictable. This book is not. In The Hard Return, Marcus McCann responds to a world bogged down by inane blogs and a reality that seems password protected. Unlike his previous collection, Soft Where, which was nominated for the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award and a Lambda Literary Award, these poems seem less concerned with sex. They are still sexy, though more interested in snuggling small considerations than thrusting confessionals. Of note is McCann’s use of lists. Unlike other mediums, where the standard list is used to document popularity and affirm nostalgia (that’s you, Jian Ghomeshi), McCann’s lists tend to layer his poems with unexpected meanings. The poem “Pipe” is an imagisticladen comment on the allure of drug culture and the phallic. In “Oversized Gold Lamé Handbag,” he lists the implications, as only a gay man can, of the “sun-kissed tinsel.” In “Ten Facts About the Saxophone” he describes how “the saxophone is a kind of/CPR . . . ” and it “creates understanding between the sexes.” These are all smart and original takes on everyday objects. Whether through juxtaposition or
simply acknowledging an item’s existence or giving something a new context, his poems amplify the significance of small events and gestures. This is no small feat in a world that often bombards and desensitizes. McCann also uses the list form to create poems comprising the lines of 22 poets from each of Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto. (Disclosure: I was not aware that one of my lines was included in the collection when I agreed to review it). In this manner, he not only acknowledges these poets and their communities, but also creates new works directly from their words. It was a pleasure to be included in “Twenty-Two BC Poets Use Orgasm as a Metaphor for Belonging,” though I never expected to experience a group orgasm with most of them. The biggest acknowledgment, however, is saved for Canadian poetry icon Don McKay, whose poem “Some Functions of a Leaf” is included in its entirety, though spread throughout the collection in 17 poems. This is a lovely touch. Apart from a few poems that lacked the felicitous sounds and rhythms found in most of the collection, McCann has written a smart book that pinpoints without pushing or poking. Check it out.
the deets THE HARD RETURN Marcus McCann Insomniac Press $16.95
I found Jonah and Gina outside, where — let’s be honest — I spent the majority of my evening because it was hotter than a virgin’s honey pot up in the Holy Oak. Can we all just pause to take in Jonah’s bears, vest and tank combo? It’s really something, innit? You’ve all met my twink little brother Evan before, and I think I’ve been pretty good at not blowing up this column with his sexy face too much, but I couldn’t resist this time. And it’s not because he looks great blond or that he looks extra young in that jean hat and skinny limbs. It’s his new Umbro tattoo on his left leg. What possesses someone (pot) to get the logo of a brand on his leg (pot)? The line between pathetic and glamorous is wafer thin, my friends.
Max Mohenu was an excellent bouncer. He can be very intimidating when he wants to be. First off, he’s really fucking tall; second, he’s a man of few words; and finally, he sorta stands over you, blown up to his full size like he’s not wearing a Janet Jackson tee at all, and that be some hard-ass shit.
Did I mention that Holy Oak was 10,000 degrees (and still managed to smell faintly like coffee) due to cramming 70 people into a 30-person space on the hottest night with no air conditioning. And you know what? Mi nuh care, and neither did anyone else. Take Ema here; he just did away with the bondage of clothing and started pounding water by the pint glass. And he doesn’t even look sweaty, for Christ’s sake.
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
19
NIGHTCLUB LISTINGS THURS, JULY 26
Queer Beer Festival. Uh Huh Her and The Cliks hit the stage while the queers hit the 200+ brews. 4:30pm. Bandshell Park, 200 Princes’ Blvd. $38.50/$48.50. queerbeerfestival.ca Smirnoff Best Chest Contest, with Sofonda Cox and DJ Mark Falco, plus $300 in cash prizes. Midnight. Woody’s, 465 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com
FRI, JULY 27 Fierce and Flawless, with Heroine Marks, Ivory Towers and Katherine Dior, at 8:30pm; Bitchapalooza, with Daytona Bitch, at 11:30pm; Indigo Vibes, with DJ Roxanne, in Tangos and Club Lite, with DJ Relentless, in the Zone, both at 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com Shag: East End Pride Edition, presented by Chris Munro & Dale C, with DJ Cory Activate spinning classic circuit tunes. 10pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. $5. waylabar.com
For complete listings on the go, scan the QR code below or visit xtra.ca.
Dance Camp: Olympiad goes for gold, with DJ Mark Falco in the main room and DJ Pleasure in the Lounge for Vogue Olympics. 10pm. fly, 8 Gloucester St. No cover before 10:30pm, $10 after. flynightclub.com Get Mighty Real, with DJs John Caffery and The Robotic Kid and a special live performance. 10pm. Cold Tea, 60 Kensington Ave.
Fuck U Fridays features the Midnight Erotic Cabaret, with Judy Virago. Hosted by Lexi Tronic. DJs Triple-X and Bruce LaBruce on decks. 10:30pm. Buddies, 12 Alexander St. $5. buddiesinbadtimes.com
SAT, JULY 28 Woody’s Woodpeckers softball team fundraiser, 5–10pm; squirt.org’s Best Men’s Ass Contest, with Sofonda, Sasha Montenegro and DJ Chris Steinbach, at midnight. Woody’s, 465 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com fly Olympics, with DJ Jamie Hammond (UK) in the main stadium and DJ Alexx in the Cockpit. Hosted by Tiana. 10pm. fly, 8 Gloucester St. $10 before 11pm, $15 till 1am, $20 after. flynightclub.com Pop Machine: Version 22.0, with DJ Alessandro. 10pm–3am. WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. $5 before 11pm, $10 after. waylabar.com Trash, with DJs Joe Blow, Sigourney Beaver and Winnie spinning electro, old school, hip hop and alternative. 10pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. No cover. henhousetoronto.com Mr Big, with DJs Dwayne Minard and Mike B spinning house, progressive and tech. 11pm. Smith, 553 Church St. $5 before midnight, $10 after. 553church.com
SUN, JULY 29
Cherry Bomb Sunday Afternoon Boat Cruise gets queer women and friends cruising on the Aurora Borealis, with DJs Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson. Boarding 12:30pm, cruise 1–5pm. Pier 27, Lake Shore Blvd W at Yonge St. $25. facebook.com/cherrybombtoronto
MON, JULY 30 Glitz and Glam, with Carlotta Carlisle and Katinka Kature adding razzle to the dazzle at 9pm; Dirty Mondays, with Devine Darlin and Nikki Chin, at 11:30pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com
TUES, JULY 31 Varsity Tuesday brings in the collegiate types for So You Think You Can Strip? With Sofonda Cox. 5pm–2am. Remington’s, 379 Yonge St. $5 after 9pm, no cover with student ID. remingtons.com Fooftastic Karaoke every Tuesday. 10pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. No cover. waylabar.com
WED, AUG 1 Soul Sistas, with Michelle Ross and Jada Hudson, at 9pm; ForePlay, with Farra N Hyte and guests, at 11:30pm; Nite Skool, with DJ Relentless, at 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com
THURS, AUG 2 Bistro Music in the Park adds the soundtrack while the boys stop to smell the roses, featuring local talent performing al fresco for a lyrical summer
night. 7pm. Green Space, 519 Church St. No cover. facebook.com/the519
World on the Fringe presents pornstar Wendy Summers, hosted by Tash Jones, with a special t-girl show in the Stag Room to be broadcast live in the online chat room ($10 for non-members to access room). DJ Todd Klinck on decks. 8pm. Goodhandy’s, 120 Church St. No cover for ladies and members; $5 before 11pm, $10 after for non-members. worldonthefringe.com Oh La La plays retro French pop hits every first Thursday, with DJ daVinci spinning the très sexy. 10pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. No cover. waylabar.com
FRI, AUG 3
DJ daVinci (with Batista Charo) spins hot Latin beats at Crews & Tangos on Aug 5.
Lounge 292 College St. $15 advance, $20 door.
Big Primpin’ Caribana kickoff, with Miss Jamaica, The House of Monroe and DJs Dionne, Kevin Ritchie and Blackcat. 10pm. Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St W. $5. big-primpin.com
Absolut Sultry Saturdays, with DJ Cajjmere Wray. 11pm. Byzantium, 499 Church St. No cover. byz.ca
Full Fetish Friday. Hosted by Canadian Leather Man 2004 Paul C. Leather, uniform, sport, military and fetish gear encouraged but not mandatory. 10pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. No cover. blackeagletoronto.com
Go Hard: Summer Breeze, 2–10pm, with Mother TKO Monroe’s Summer Sizzle Ball from 6pm on. DJs Blackcat and Pleasure spin all day. Zipperz-Cellblock back parking lot, 72 Carlton St. $5, sliding scale.
East End Girls. An evening for ladies and the ladies who love them. DJ Alula spins. 10pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. No cover. waylabar.com
Salsa Masala gets into the eclectic Latin grooves, with DJ daVinci mixing in the caliente with dance faves, performances and dance lessons. Each week features a different community or performance group. 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com
Gitch Underwear Party, with DJ Justin E. 10pm. Goodhandy’s, 120 Church St. $6 before 11pm, $8 after, students free anytime. goodhandys.com
SAT, AUG 4 Walk Out Pon a Gyal celebrates Caribana, with DJs Unruly Twin, JJ Rock, Pleasure and Roman on decks. Suba
SUN, AUG 5
MON, AUG 6 The Alt.Comedy Lounge, featuring standup comedians from the Comedy Network. 8:30pm. Rivoli Café, 332 Queen St W. PWYC. altdotcomedylounge.com
20
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY26, 2012
Toronto’s online directory of gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses
indexdirectory.ca
indexdirectory.ca ACCOMMODATIONS - BRITISH COLUMBIA The Eagle’s Nest B&B
FLOORING 866-766-9350
ACCOMMODATIONS - ONTARIO
ACCOUNTANTS Hema Murdock C.A.
416-696-6653
ADULT
ORGANIC FOOD
Craftwood Flooring
416-750-9097
FOUNDATION REPAIRS G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service
FUNERAL SERVICES 416-489-8733
FURNITURE - CUSTOM The Cliffside Carpenter
Stag Shop
416-323-0771
ADVERTISING
416-266-4674
GARDENING Davenport Garden Centre
Raymond Helkio Advertising /Design
raymondhelkio.com
AIDS/HIV RESOURCES Canadian Seed Exchange Medical Compassion Clinic
416-850-3795 647-291-0420
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH My CannaMeds
LJ’s Laser Hair Removal Clinic 647-971-9855 Hamilton location 289-237-7089
HAIR STYLISTS & BARBERS Ragga Hair and Beauty Salon 416-368-8113
HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE Front Door Organics
647-348-0104
HEALTH FOODS & NUTRITION
Wise Daughters Craft Market 416-761-1555
Front Door Organics The Big Carrot
AUTOMOTIVE SALES & LEASING
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
ART GALLERIES Akasha Art Projects
ARTS & CRAFTS
BMW Autohaus
905-886-3380 xt 17309
BARS & CLUBS (TORONTO) Fly Nightclub Woody’s / Sailor
416-410-5426 416-972-0887
BUTCHERS St Jamestown Steaks & Chops 416-925-7665
416-406-6228 416-494-9371
CLEANING & MAID SERVICES CondoFresh
647-448-5213
COMMUNITY GROUPS & SERVICES Canadian Lesbian & Gay Archives (CLGA) Enterprise Toronto
416-777-2755 416-392-6646
COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE Around The Clock I.T. Solutions 416-657-4395 Contemporary Computers 1-877-724-9000
CONCRETE - CONTRACTORS G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service
905-824-2557
CONSTRUCTION G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service Newbright Construction
905-824-2557 416-985-8639
CONTRACTING & RENOVATIONS G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service
905-824-2557
COSMETIC SERVICES Dr David W Grossman
416-968-6437
COUNSELLING Becky Liddle Change4U2 David W Routledge Phillip Coupal Counselling
647-989-1555 416-827-7578 416-944-1291 416-557-7312
DENTAL SERVICES Adelaide Dental Dr Kevin Russelo & Associates Galleria Dental Yonge & Bloor Dental
416-429-0150 416-966-0117 416-534-9991 647-350-3501 416-920-7387
DRAG Take a Walk on the Wildside
416-921-6112
ENTERTAINMENT Village Vapor Lounge
PARTY PLANNERS Crewman & Co
416-843-1318
PET CARE Tailspin Dog Spa
416-920-7387
PET MORTUARIES & CREMATORIES Pets At Peace
416-699-9955
PET STORES & SUPPLIES Helmutt’s Pet Supply
416-504-1265
PHARMACIES The Village Pharmacy
416-967-9221
PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Mooney Photography
mooneyphoto.ca
Dr David W Grossman
416-260-0818 905-824-2557 416-985-8639 647-287-1962
416-968-6437
PSYCHOLOGISTS 647-989-1555
PSYCHOTHERAPY Becky Liddle Bruce M. Small Jude Johnston
647-989-1555 416-598-4888 416-921-8629
PUBLICATIONS Fab Magazine Pink Triangle Press Xtra (Toronto)
416-625-6665 416-925-6665 416-925-6665
REAL ESTATE Lee Caswell Leon Belov Louis Amaral
905-373-2236 416-703-0600 416-200-0969
Gaelen Patrick Joe Sipione,
JUICE BARS
RENOVATIONS & RESTORATIONS
Juice Box
416-924-4671 416-445-8439
LAWYERS Abrams & Krochak 416-482-3387 xt 22 Adam Weisberg 416-603-3344 Cynthia Borovoy Warren 416-964-0900 David M. Cohn 416-777-1100 Harvey L Hamburg 416-968-9054 Janice P Warren 416-323-7767 Kirk J. Cooper 416-923-4277 Law Office of El-Farouk Khaki 416-925-7227 Michael Battista 416-203-2899 Morzaria Law 647-259-1990 Paul T. Willis 416-926-9806 Robert G Coates 416-925-6490 Zubas + Associates Employment Law 416-593-5844
LEATHER LIFE Doc’s Leathers & Motorcycle Gear
416-504-8888
LEGAL SERVICES Craig Penney
416-410-2266
MASSAGE CERTIFIED/REGISTERED Etai Tintpulver gesund Patrick Reilly, RMT The Power of Touch.com
Bryant Renovations
416-319-9171 416-913-5170 647-955-0723 647-330-2539
Front Door Organics
416-925-7665
MENTALIST scienceofillusion.com
MORTGAGES Ontario-Wide Financial Corp 416-925-3974
416-201-3000
LJ’s Laser Hair Removal Clinic 647-971-9855 Hamilton location 289-237-7089
T-SHIRTS Gemini Tees
416-768-5755
JU N E
28, 20
12
S
INSIDE
PRIDE
PRIDE IN THE BALKANS GAVIN CRAWFORD LARRY TEE COZMIC CAT DENISE BENSON JESSICA SUTTA DRAGONETTE HIFI SEAN ANNA WILLATS REMINGTON’S TRUCK STOP OUTSPORT
TORONTO QUEER DANCE TROUPE TAKES ON PRIDE
›32
ism ›XX ry of AIDS activ explores the histo r documentary looks back ›XX United in Ange Tim McCaskell Veteran activist
+ VILLAGE CHANGES
ECHI 11 JOHN AMA
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE ISSUE OF XTRA
12 ELVIR A KURT
42
.CA MOR E AT XTRA
XTRA.CA
Notices
MARRIED? DIVORCED? GAY? BI? HAVE CHILDREN?
Afterglo Tan Bar
647-350-8456
TAX SERVICES CJH Tax Services
647-270-8057
OPTOMETRISTS 416-922-5511
The 519 Church Street Community Centre Room 304
Our meetings are informal, confidential and very helpful. We’re here to support you on your journey. Please visit our website: www.gayfathers-toronto.com
Spiritual services
REAL ESTATE ›
HEALER. AUTOMATIC SPIRIT rescue medium coach. Age visitation teacher. Providing nurturing from family on the other side for men only.(Dougie May) 416-466-1444. tfrechette@rogers.com. Outcalls only.
Homes for sale 204 WOODMOUNT, AVENUE TORONTO $579,000
THEATRE
Beautiful ‘Rebuilt’ Home with 2 Bdrm + tandem, 2 Bath, Finished Bsmt and over 85k upgrades. Large treed lot 25’x100’ w/ pkng. Minutes to Danforth, subway and amenities. Contact Kerri-Ann Davies, Sales Representative Sutton Group Heritage Realty Inc., Brokerage for more details: 416-574-6543 www.davies-homes.ca MLS#E2397628
Please recycle this paper!
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre 416-975-8555
Business space
TRAVEL AGENCIES
Kelly’s Tree Care Ltd Sunset Beech Tree Care
800-665-3769 416-462-0007 647-989-3509
UPHOLSTERY Re-Wrap Custom Upholstery 416-214-6400
VETERINARIANS 416-469-1121
WATERPROOFING G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service
905-824-2557
WEBSITES 416-913-5170
Gay Fathers meets at 8 PM the second and fourth Thursday of each month:
Open House Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29, 2-4pm
TANNING SALONS
Blue Cross Animal Hospital 416-654-5029 416-239-9565 416-259-2181
NATUROPATHY
Dr Jason Hershorn
Commemorate those who have recently passed away. This space is donated by Xtra. Call 416-644-5214 for more information. Please limit text to 50 words or less. Ideally, photos will be digital images at 2” x 3” with a resolution of 250dpi.
& LESB IAN NEW
SPA SERVICES
TREE SERVICES
416-920-7200
PROUD LIVES
TORO NTO’S GAY
416-596-7515 416-323-0772
SHOPPING
St Jamestown Steaks & Chops
gesund
#722
FREE
40,000 AUDITED CIRCULATION
SEX SHOPS Condom Shack Stag Shop
Travel ABC
Agility Moving & Storage Ltd Avery Moving & Storage Manhattan Movers
416-260-0818
C’est What? Brew/ Vin Pub Restaurant 416-867-9499 Cora Breakfast & Lunch Carlton St 416-340-1350 Wellington St 416-598-2672 Fire on the East Side 416-960-3473 Hair of the Dog 416-964-2708 The Blake House 416-975-1867 The Churchmouse & Firkin 416-927-1735
MEATS & DELICATESSENS
Dr Robert Ing
416-801-9265 416-720-6611
RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS
LASER EYE SURGERY Clearview Institute
ANNOUNCEMENTS ›
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
INVESTMENT SERVICES Kenton Waterman, Investors Group Financial Services 416-860-1668
416-972-9500
FIREPLACES 360 Living Inc
Bryant Renovations G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service Newbright Construction
MOVING & STORAGE
DOG & CAT GROOMING Tailspin Dog Spa
416-920-7200
HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIRS
INSURANCE
CINEMAS Rainbow/Carlton Cinemas
360 Living Inc
Kenton Waterman, Investors Group Financial Services 416-860-1668
416-913-5170
647-588-1774 416-985-8639 416-449-6204
Becky Liddle
416-465-7143
CHURCHES Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
416-201-3000 416-466-2129
Meticulous Inspections, Inc
CHIROPRACTORS gesund
CM Painting & Decorating Newbright Painting Performance Painters
PHYSICIANS
416-266-4674
CHEESE SHOPS Leslieville Cheese Market
416-201-3000
HOME INSPECTION SERVICES
CARPENTERS The Cliffside Carpenter
416-929-7222
HAIR REMOVAL
mycm.ca
416-201-3000
PAINTING 905-824-2557
Morley Bedford Funeral Services
Front Door Organics
ILLNANA
Holiday Inn 416-542-6008 Neill-Wycik Summer Hotel 416-977-2320 Trinity House Inn 1-800-265-4871
To place an ad, call 416-925-6665 xt 0 or book your line classified at xtra.ca
Guidemag.com Squirt.org Xtra.ca
guidemag.com squirt.org xtra.ca
OFFICE FOR LEASE Professional office space available with kitchenette, 567 s.f., 65 Wellesley Street E. 2nd Floor. $1,750/mth. Call Dane, 905-337-0800
EXPAND YOUR CONTACT LIST! CANADA’S GAY & LESBIAN BUSINESS DIRECTORY — IN PRINT AND ONLINE.
Real estate agent Built 1835 Premium Area LIVE & WORK, Two Gallery/Office/Retail units, 1 Asian inspired apartment. Beautifully restored. MLS 121019, $279,000. 1 hour to Toronto. Kathran Helps Salesperson, Century 21 All-Pro Realty 289-251-3902 www.khelps.com
ory.ca indexdirect
GAY & LESBIAN TORONTO’SS DIRECTORY BUSINES
indexdirectory.ca CANADA’S N GAY & LESBIA NEWS
SPRING 2012
NEXT TORONTO RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 15
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY26, 2012
The definitive online source for gay & lesbian media, including: q #SFBLJOH OFXT q %BJMZ CMPHT q 7JEFP JOUFSWJFXT q &OHBHJOH DPNNFOUT q &WFOU MJTUJOHT q 'BDFCPPL UXJUUFS BOE TP NVDI NPSF
Only on YUSB DB. Your news, your way.
FOR ISSUE #725 THU, AUG 2 @ 1PM
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES › Painting
.EWBRIGHT 0AINTING
Commercial/Residential, Interior/Exterior Painting l Design & colour consultation Light Reno’s and Repairs l Window Cleaning l Better Business Bureau Celebrating 11 years in Xtra l References provided on request
Sean 416.985.8639 Counselling
DAVID W. ROUTLEDGE MSW, RSW PSYCHOTHERAPIST ...helping you become the person you have always wanted to be
OFFICE CLOSURE MON, AUG 6 FOR THE CIVIC HOLIDAY
Accommodations PEI Beach Farmhouse 19TH CENTURY FARMHOUSE (4 bedroom). Mention this ad and get $200 o per week! Visit us at: www.northumberlandhouse.info
Please recycle this paper!
droutledge@rogers.com s
$OWNTOWN LOCATION AFFORDABLE RATES
Cleaners DETAILED CLEANING AND Organizing for Home’s & Condo’s, BONDED AND INSURED call Tomas at 416-878-9527 email: info@EcosCleaning.com ecoscleaning.com www.ecoscleaning.com
TRAVEL › International travel
PUERTO VALLARTA MEXICO BOANA-TORRE MALIBU Condo Hotel. Largest pool in gay Vallarta. Located by gay beach. boana@pvnet.com.mx Call 011-52-(322)222-099-9 Direct line Montreal: 514-800-7690 BOANA.NET
NO MESS, NO FUSS, JUST SUPERIOR WORKMANSHIP
Movers
M A N H AT TA N
MOV I NG S E R V I C E
.ca
Counselling Jude Johnston, MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist. Compassionate and Experienced. Relationships, addictions, anxiety, depression, grief, sexuality, HIV, trauma. Discover emotional balance, joy and confidence.
Book your line classiďŹ ed online! Visit Xtra.ca for more information.
Voted #1 BEST OF TORONTO
2009
ADVANCED CLASSIFIED DEADLINE:
21
Toronto’s Gay Owned Local & Ontario 416-259-2181
416-921-8629
Legal services
Leather
El-Farouk
Khaki Barrister & Solicitor Refugee & Immigration Law 5FM r 'BY FMĂąO !SPHFST DPN r FMGBSPVL@MBX!ZBIPP DB BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
DID YOU KNOW?
65%
of Xtra readers are more likely to visit a website as a result of an advertisement they have seen in Xtra than in the past
JACKETS PANTS & CHAPS from $99
HELMETS & VESTS from $89 LUCKY 13 from $29
ARTS & LEISURE › Galleries RAVER MALE ART Post-Modern Expressionist Bright Gay Art. Framed Fine Art Pieces/Posters. Full 30-Day Refund Policy, ULTRA speedy Shipping. 2x2.imagekind.com
EMPLOYMENT › Hair/skin & beauty Hair stylist to rent chair. Open 5 days a week. For more info call 416-463-7921
Please recycle this paper!
22
Toronto’s gay & lesbian news
XTRA! JULY26, 2012
SOCIAL MEDIA
HEALTH & FITNESS › Registered massage
1EWWEKI 8LIVET] ˆ 2EXYVSTEXLMG 1IHMGMRI 'LMVSTVEGXMG ˆ %GYTYRGXYVI ˆ 2YXVMXMSREP 'SRWYPXEXMSR ;IMKLX 0SWW (IXS\ ERH 7QSOMRK 'IWWEXMSR 4VSKVEQW -RWYVERGI VIGIMTXW MWWYIH JSV EPP XVIEXQIRXW
638 Church Street Phone: 416.913.5170 Email: info @ gesund.ca
Book online: www.gesund.ca 4SEASONS MASSAGE THERAPY & AESTHETICS Charles Guo, RMT. Registered Massages, Hot Stone Treatment, Waxing Hair Removal and Facials services. Receipt for insurance. First Time Client 50% o waxing services. 40 Wellesley St E, Ste 201. 647-833-3274. 4seasonsmassage.ca
Please recycle this paper!
Massage certiďŹ ed
Harmony Hands (OLISTIC -ASSAGE s 4HAI 9OGA -ASSAGE &OOT -ASSAGE 2EFLEXOLOGY s 3OUNDWORK Jennifer Gillmor C N H P s C Y T 416-899-3342 s jen@harmonyhands.ca s www.harmonyhands.ca Parkdale, Kensington, Home Visits MAKE YOUR BODY SING! KEVIN SHORTT MASSAGE and Yoga Therapy: sensual, intimate bodywork with stretching. $15 o First Time Clients! Check out my website: www3.sympatico.ca/kshortt 416-961-8064
FIVE DIFFERENT MASSAGES ALL IN ONE Professional, friendly, private, clean environment. Downtown. 1 hour $70. 7 days a week by appointment only. Will. 416-910-7778.
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. Broadview/Danforth. brentrousseau.com HEADtoFITA MASSAGE THERAPIES Frank Fita RMT oering Swedish, Lastone hot-stone, Thai-yoga massages. Specializing in treatments for work-related and sports injuries. headtoďŹ ta.com Across from Wellesley subway. For appointment or info call 416-473-0065.
DID YOU KNOW? 34%
of Xtra readers plan to purchase a membership to a ďŹ tness centre or gym this year
GET ALL THE INCHES YOU WANT!
Lucas Community: Facebook with prettier cheekbones Porndoggy Jeremy Feist
I
T’S ODD THAT FACEBOOK HAS sat atop the throne of social networks for so long when it’s ostensibly the worst. Everyone you know is on Facebook, but whenever people talk about it, they are often complaining. The new layout, the draconian privacy policies, the antiquated stance on adult content, the broken Scrabble app . . . But hey, at least it’s not Google+, right? Enter Lucas Community, a new social network from Lucas Entertainment. Functioning as the social branch of Michael Lucas’s massive website, Lucas Community is where fans of Lucas Entertainment can go to interact with other fans and the studio’s roster of exclusive models and watch a whole lot of butt-fucking. For the sake of curiosity, I went ahead and signed up for the site to see what it is like. A trio of smiling, shirtless Lucas models (Adrian Long, Vito Gallo and Tate Ryder) greet potential members and explain the site on its welcome page. It should be noted that in order to sign up for Lucas Community, you also have to sign up for the Lucas Entertainment site. It’s a package deal. I personally didn’t mind, but if you want to sign up for the Community on its own without
PERSONAL ›
Miscellaneous
Erotic massage Gay nudist male Pleiadian crystal healing masseur for men. Nurturing men since 1963. From touching your heart , holding your hands to erotic tantric anal massage. 416-466-1444. tfrechette@rogers.com. Outcalls only.
BULK CONDOMS
Trojan Magnum XL, Lifestyle SnuggerFit, Kimono Microthins and other popular condom brands. Low prices, guaranteed delivery! Condoms4canada.com/XtraTor
Lthr Chaps for sale
HIGH QUALITY LEATHER
chaps, size 32/34 plus harness for sale. Originally purchaed at Leather Man NYC. Great quality, hardly worn. Looking for a good home :-) Call Sean at 416- 720- 0311 sbw_to@rogers.com
MAGIC FINGERS GET A MASSAGE from me and feel fantastic for days. My hard smooth body and warm sensuous hands will soothe and delight. Clint 416-469-8144. Massage Buet - Your Desire Trained in Swedish, anal and prostate massage. Erotic, Tantric and Breath orgasms. Body Electric sacred intimacy sessions. Sex and life coach. www.canadianbodyworker.com App’t by email or 647-821-3131 Paul Barber
Model & escorts
If the scene is picked up for use in a movie, the member is given three months free on the site as a reward. It essentially functions as a sort of crowd-sourcing mechanism for future projects, which is deďŹ nitely an interesting idea and something that would be fun to see in action. Considering it’s only a few weeks old, Lucas Community doesn’t really have many members, so activity on the site is still somewhat muted, but the site is deďŹ nitely worth a look. It has some good ideas that would be a lot of fun to see bloom to fruition, and if you’re willing to spend a little for a lot, it’s worth a shot. And if nothing else I say can convince you, consider this: unlike on Facebook, your parents will never try to friend you on Lucas Community. Jeremy Feist is a Toronto pornstar. Porndoggy appears in every issue of Xtra.
Hot ’n horny hookups.
Call 1-800-268-XTRA to book your classiďŹ ed or book online at xtra.ca
MERCHANDISE ›
Damien Crosse and Rafael Carreras are on Lucas Entertainment’s roster.
subscribing to Lucas’s porn library, you are out of luck. The Lucas site has the sort of refined, polished look the company is known for, especially compared to Facebook’s somewhat cluttered, ad-ďŹ lled layout. The social interaction between members and models, handled in the Community Reel, feels a bit like Facebook’s main hub, complete with real-time updates as members interact, change their profiles and post dirty pictures. The only real difference here is that rather than just seeing your friends’ updates, you see updates from all members of the site. One of the big selling points of the site is its Fantasy Fuck page, wherein members can choose from any of Lucas Entertainment’s roster of performers, describe a scene they would like to see happen between them, and then submit it to the page.
Model & escorts CHOOSE WISELY AVAILABLE FOR INCALLS/OUTCALLS. Great with ďŹ rst-timers, fetishes and unusual requests. Great body, boyish good looks, big thick cock. 90% Repeat rate. Satisfaction guaranteed. Pics at : www.squirt.org/devon80 Devon: 416-208-3531 devonescort@gmail.com
JAY Hung 8x6 Horny
647-216-8871 Announcements GRUPO LATINO HOLA
Xtra oers frequency discounts. Call 416-644-5214 to learn more!
RAYAN EROTIC MASSAGE & MORE 27 yo, 5’9�, 200 lbs incredible ripped pump body 8 inches uncut extra thick u will not be disappointed
BOYS R US
INVITA A LA COMUNIDAD LGBT HISPANA A SUS REUNIONES EL PRIMERO Y TERCER JUEVES DE CADA MES DE LAS 8:00 A 10:00 P.M. CENTRO COMUNITARIO 519 CHURCH ST- 3 PISO TALLERES DE DISCUSIONACTIVIDADES CULTURALES PREVENCION VIH- FIESTASBARBACOAS SERVICION DE REFERENCIA PARA EMIGRACION AMISTAD Y APOYO
A SMALL BUT superb selection of young, fresh, honest faces for your erotic pleasures. Try us ďŹ rst and you won’t be disappointed. 416-469-8144.
Please recycle this paper!
647 534 4838
CAM CHAT
CRUISING DIRECTORY
MEMBER VIDEOS
MOBILE SITE
more at xtra.ca
XTRA! JULY 26, 2012
23
and VINTAGES are proud to support the
From July 22 to August 18, 50¢ from each sale of our Pinot Grigio and Prosecco will be donated in support of the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life. Join the walk September 15-23, 2012 in over 50 locations across Canada. aidswalkforlife.ca/marcheactionSIDA.ca Help us help more at santamargherita.ca facebook.com/santamargheritacanada twitter.com/SMPinotGrigioCa
Available in
CAMPAIGN SUPPORTED BY REGULATION EC N. 1234/07