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JUST A MADEUP U P SLUR? Simpson S impson on h homophobia omophobia ›7

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Mpowering young gay men

Ivan Coyote launches new book

“We’re going back to an empowerment model, which is what the HIV movement was built on,” says YouthCo’s community engagement manager. “It’s taking responsibility for the health of your community.” › 7

Award-winning storyteller and recently retired Xtra columnist Ivan Coyote launches her new book of short stories for young adults on Thursday, May 3 at the WISE Hall. Read an excerpt from the introduction to One in Every Crowd on › xtra.ca/vancouver.

Delta school trustees were reluctant to commit to a student request for an anti-homophobia policy on April 24. The chair says he doesn’t like “singling out any one group.” › 8

Supporting South African lesbians Vancouver’s Mabel League offers $2,000 donation to a lesbian soccer tournament in South Africa. “FEW is all about using sports to raise the visibility of lesbian women, and that is something we really wanted to support,” says the Mabel League’s co-chair. › 9

OPINION

Terrorists in the parking lot Still QQ’s Kevin Dale McKeown recounts part two of his short-lived career as a West End madam. › 10

Practice restricted to ICBC personal injury claims

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Vito Russo: activist, author (The Celluloid Closet) and now subject of a documentary tribute to screen at DOXA on May 8.

Xtra has that and more queer picks from Vancouver’s documentary film festival.

Delta chair opposed to antihomophobia policy

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Naked Eye Robin Perelle › 4 Still QQ Kevin Dale McKeown › 10 Blitz & Shitz Raziel › 15 CARTOONS

The Brotherhood Tyler Dorchester › 25 The Village Ken Boesem › 26

cell 7 7 8 9 9 9 5 3 2 8 j h e b e r t @ si mp sont homas .com *Professional Law Corporation

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David Holtzman’s INBOX legacy Naked Eye Robin Perelle

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IS LAST WORDS TO ME were “Happy Birthday Dear One,” written on my Facebook wall 21 days before he died.

Typical David Holtzman. Taking a moment to spread a little warmth, share a little love, build a community one genuinely friendly gesture at a time.

I had no idea I’d never get to speak to him again.

Really, I barely knew David, but the man I met was caring, with a bright smile aimed directly at me every moment we shared. One of those exceptional people with beautiful energy who know who they want to be and live accordingly, consciously contributing to the world they choose to live in.

The condolences and tributes still pouring onto his Facebook page are testament to the profoundly positive way he touched so many people in his life.

“I am heartbroken his light has been extinguished so soon but know we all shine brighter because we were touched by David,” his friend David Palmer posted, echoing so many. “Once the grief has passed and I am able to smile again, I will think of him and remember to smile bigger, live brighter, be braver and give more, as he always did.”

Smile bigger, live brighter, be braver, give more.

“Community and community development excites me because it affects all of us,” David wrote on his LinkedIn profile. “It’s the challenge that lies in consciously creating the physical and social communities we want.

“I feel humbled and very fortunate to live in the best country in the world and most livable city,” he continued. “Yet I think we can do better in the way we live, work and play together and the way we steward our planet.”

I interviewed David last September on the eve of the 10th anniversary of a gay man’s murder in Stanley Park. I asked him what impact he thought Aaron Webster’s brutal gaybashing had on our community.

It struck a painful blow, but it “also became a powerful barometer of the help and community love that we share,” he said, focusing as always on the possibility for

collaborative compassion.

We came together “to show everyone that this is not okay and that we are a healthy community and that we support each other.”

What does a healthy community look like, I asked.

It has “room for tolerance and acceptance and diversity and sharing,” he said, adding that everyone has a role to play in keeping it healthy.

I asked if Aaron Webster’s story hit closer to home after he and his partner, Peter, were attacked on their doorstep in June 2010.

After a few quips, he reluctantly admitted that getting gaybashed had affected him. He felt less comfortable now walking down the street in drag.

Something has changed for you, I said.

“The possibility of personal harm,” he replied.

Then he deliberately struck a note of strength, recalling a recent conversation with Jordan Smith, who was also gaybashed in 2008.

“We’re the lucky ones,” David told Jordan. “It’s important to remember Aaron Webster. It’s important to remember Ritchie Dowrey. We’re the ones who can talk about it, who can say, ‘Hey, pay attention to this.’ And by paying attention to it, it increases our community’s resilience.

“And our community is strong and resilient,” he stressed.

Our community is strong — made stronger by people like David, who choose to strengthen it.

“It is a pleasure to explore and engage people in seemingly simple but enormously important ideas like democracy, civil society, dialogue, conflict resolution (or better yet — conflict avoidance),” David wrote on LinkedIn. The challenge, he said, is to foster meaningful collaboration and community leadership. “That’s the challenge — and the reward.”

“David Holtzman, you understood in this life what so many more should: that there are infinite ways we can make a difference in this world when we live a life with such intentional purpose and passion,” Perry Boldt posted on his Facebook wall. “Thank you for your courage and convictions, your eloquent voice in our community and your signature sass.”

To a life well lived and generously shared. I didn’t know you well, David, but I miss you already.

Robin Perelle is the managing editor of Xtra’s Vancouver edition.

“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.

Qmunity needs new direction

B R E A K S P E A R L E AV I N G Qmunity [xtra.ca, April 2] is a very good thing, although it may be too late. In her tenure as the executive director she has managed to turn a once-vibrant resource into one that has divided the community. Whoever takes over from Jennifer is in for a rough ride trying to win back the community’s respect and support.

Jason Vancouver, BC I WONDER IF THE BOARD DID come to its senses and this isn’t an “amicable split” after all? Could the board be that blind to feedback it must have gotten? It can’t be a coincidence that the Pride Society also got rid of its rotten apples at the same time.

Doug Williams Kelowna, BC JENNIFER AND THE BOARD OF the day spent thousands of dollars “rebranding” The Centre to Qmunity, money that could have been much better spent doing what they had done for over 30 years: supporting the LGBT community. Instead the new name pushed people away, and as ED, Jennifer did the same. That the new board likes the direction they are going is just as scary.

Keith Vancouver, BC IT WASN’T THAT LONG AGO that the former director, Michael Harding, wanted to build a space and bring other groups together to the benefit of all. Instead the board fired him and brought in Breakspear, stating that Harding’s vision did not fit with The Centre. Fast forward to four years later and they are worse off than they have ever been. They put their faith in Breakspear, and she has done more damage to the LGBT community than any one person should be able to do.

Peter Vancouver, BC

Gay seniors welcome YE S, G E N SI L E N T WAS A groundbreaking documentary, and yes, it is so true that many will retreat back into the closet [“Senior Gay-Straight Alliance Launches in BC,” xtra.ca, April 10]. Not this guy.

I am so proud that New Westminster’s department of Parks, Culture and Recreation and Century House have taken the steps to form this new group. Having lived in New Westminster a good part of my earlier years, I would have never thought this groundbreaking group would be formed. Bravo! That gives me more choices to move back when I retire, and I look so forward to being on my home turf again.

Garth Caron Calgary, AB

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WHO NEEDS GLITTER BOMBS? ‘I’m a CCOKC. And Kirk, you’re just a dick.’

Former Mr Belvedere star Brice Beckham joins CCOKC — Child Celebrities Opposing Kirk Cameron — to denounce their cohort’s views on homosexuality. Their message to the born-again ex-heartthrob: gay people are no threat to you. “All they want is the inalienable right of every human being to fellate and cunniling in peace. And really, isn’t that what we all want?”

Vancouver stories on xtra.ca from April 1–24

1 2 3 4 5

Holtzman dies suddenly of heart attack Jeremy Hainsworth Blitz & Shitz blog Raziel Gay nights flame out Steven Schelling New gay group forms in Chilliwack Richard J Dalton Jr Let’s talk about sex: Xtra Vancouver’s 2012 Sex Survey results Robin Perelle

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BE PART of the WEST END COMMUNITY PLAN! Over the next 18-21 months, the City will be creating a new community plan for the West End to provide a clear and flexible framework that will guide positive change and growth in the area.

We’ll need your ideas and feedback on topics such as housing, land use, transportation and social issues, with the goal of meeting the needs of the area, Vancouver as a whole and the region. It’s your chance to tell us what you picture for the West End. Join us at an event or an open house to learn more and find out how you can get involved.

WEST END WALKING TOUR Sunday, May 6, 10:30 am Details and registration at: janeswalk.net STORYTELLING NIGHT: “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” Thursday, May 10 7 - 10 pm Denman Cinema, 1779 Comox Street Register at: vancouver.ca/westendplan

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Upfront HEALTH

WE’VE MOVED FROM BEING JUST A SPORTS LEAGUE TO FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY. Supporting South African lesbians › 9

EDUCATION

Mpowering young gay men YouthCo brings acclaimed HIV-prevention program to Vancouver Nathaniel Christopher ONE OF THE UNITED STATES’ most successful programs for reducing new HIV infections among young gay and bisexual men comes to Vancouver this June.

“We’re going back to an empowerment model, which is what the HIV movement was built on,” says Michael Reid, YouthCo’s community engagement manager. “It’s taking responsibility for the health of your community.”

The Mpowerment Project, which will be presented

by YouthCo, aims to expand HIV education and awareness among young gay and bisexual men through workshops and ongoing peer support.

“As community groups, we’re failing to reach huge segments of this population because we’re not meeting them where they’re at,” says Reid, who is

as a donation from TD Canada Trust. YouthCo has also received support from the Health Initiative for Men (HIM), which helped with program planning and volunteer recruitment.

“I think it’s a great project and well suited for YouthCo,” says HIM program manager Jody Jollimore. “YouthCo has a history of engaging youth and doing that effectively, and it makes sense to have a program for young gay men at YouthCo.” Mpowerment was developed in the early 1990s by research psychologists Susan M Kegeles and Robert Hays, who were alarmed by the lack of sexual health services targeted toward young gay men. The program has been implemented in more than 200 urban, suburban and rural communities across the United States.

Kegeles says the project helps foster empowering and supportive communities. She

“Young gay guys deserve a better community, but they have to build it for themselves,” says YouthCo’s Michael Reid.

NATHANIEL CHRISTOPHER

supervising the project. “Young gay guys deserve a better community, but they have to build it for themselves. The Mpowerment Project gives them the tools to accomplish that.”

The workshop component will include information on sexual health and other aspects of sexuality, including how to meet guys, have enjoyable sex and forge long-lasting relationships.

Reid believes YouthCo is the first Canadian organization to implement an Mpowerment program, which will be funded in part by a two-year grant from the federal government, as well

believes peers can encourage safe-sex practices beyond the reach of doctors and other professionals. “It’s really different if your best friend or close friend talked to you about that, as opposed to a professional person,” she says. “I want to take young gay men and get them enthusiastic about talking with their friends and have them going out and talking to people about their project.”

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the frequency of unprotected anal sex significantly decreased among Mpowerment participants.

Homophobia is a made-up slur designed to “demean, demoralize and foster hatred” against people who oppose homosexuality, says Kari Simpson (centre, with RoadKill Radio co-host Ron Gray). JANET RERECICH

Homophobia just a ‘made-up’ slur: Simpson That’s misleading, says history prof Natasha Barsotti CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST KARI SIMPson says she has filed a human rights complaint against the Vancouver School Board (VSB) for fostering hate against Christians by “advocating the use of slurs like homophobe, homophobic, homophobia and heterosexism.”

In the complaint dated April 18, Simpson alleges the VSB is “actively engaged” in promoting hate and contempt for Christians by endorsing the anti-homophobia program Out in Schools, which, she claims, contains materials that “deliberately mock Christians, promote racism and undermine religious dictates and cultural values of some students and staff.”

In her complaint, Simpson describes words such as homophobia and homophobic as “made-up.”

They’re designed to “demean, demoralize and foster hatred and contempt for those who acknowledge the scientific, medical and economic harm associated with certain sexual practices,” she claims.

“We are indoctrinating kids with the directive to use hateful slurs against individuals whose opinions they don’t agree with,” she told Xtra on April 24.

“Exchanging one form of bullying for another is not the answer and should not be tolerated,” she says.

“We look at respecting all rights,” counters VSB chair Patti Bacchus. Calling homophobia a made-up word is absurd, she says. “It’s a way, in my opinion, that they’re trying to provoke an opportunity to get publicity.”

Simon Fraser University history professor Elise Chenier says Simpson is “absolutely” right that words like homophobia are made-up. “Just like racism and sexism are made-up words,” she says.

All these words are necessary to identify systemic problems that exist but didn’t previously have names.

“To suggest that they are hateful when they are intended to combat injustices is, I would say, misleading — a misunderstanding of what those words actually mean,” Chenier says.

In the glossary of its anti-homophobia policy, the VSB defines homophobia as “the irrational fear and hatred of homosexuals.” Simpson says this definition accuses people who oppose sexual practices that are “provably harmful” of being mentally unstable.

Historically, Chenier says, there has always been resistance when people make advances on issues around equality, sexism and homophobia. What’s new, she contends, is suggesting that the very terms meant to describe discrimination are now being labelled as hate.

That conservative activists such as Simpson are changing strategy means their old strategy isn’t working, Chenier says.

“It’s a new strategy to use the strategies we’re using,” Chenier says. “What we see is the right taking those terms and turning them around and using them for their purpose. Which is to say, ‘By you imposing your equal rights agenda on me, which violates my own principles, you are being hateful towards me.’

“That’s an interesting strategy, but I think it will fail,” she says. “The majority of Canadians today believe queers should have equal rights protections.”

Chenier sees Simpson’s human rights complaint as a marginal case and says the battle for hearts and minds has already been won. But she doesn’t believe the war is over.

Asked if she believes homophobia doesn’t exist, Simpson pauses, then limits

her discussion to the VSB’s definition of “irrational fear.” That definition ascribes a medical psychosis that does not exist, she says. “As defined within the Vancouver School Board, and the degree that it’s suggesting that it is, no it doesn’t.”

Asked how she would ensure the safety of queer students, Simpson says they should be treated consistently with the Charter of Rights. Everybody should be protected from hateful slurs, she says, including fat kids, nerds and kids who wear glasses.

“We don’t have, as I say, fat-ophobia, we don’t have glass-ophobia, we don’t have nerd-ophobia,” she points out.

Simpson says she has filed the complaint on behalf of “Chinese Christians residing in Vancouver.”

When asked whom she is representing specifically, Simpson says she won’t reveal names to protect their safety.

The representative complaint form, which bears Simpson’s signature, states that she has been a spokesperson for the group “in matters relating to the VSB” and that she has been asked to represent them here.

“What I think we see them doing is a strategy that the Harper government has adopted, which is to go after new immigrant groups,” Chenier suggests. “Although the Chinese have been in Canada for 100 and a half years — and in fact, many Asian people have played a key role in gay liberation and queer struggles in Canada — what she’s doing is parallel to what we see happening elsewhere, which is tapping into the more conservative new-immigrant community that we have coming now and saying, ‘We’re going to protect your values.’”

Simpson says there are “a number of other groups waiting in the wings” to join her complaint but won’t specify whom.

Bacchus says she has yet to receive notification of Simpson’s complaint from the tribunal.

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EDUCATION

West Van yes, Delta noncommittal Delta chair opposes anti-homophobia policy Natasha Barsotti & Nathaniel Christopher

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WEST VANCOUVER BECAME THE 17th school district in BC to embrace policy that speciďŹ cally addresses homophobia on April 10, taking only three months to proceed from conception to ďŹ nal, unanimous board approval. “We didn’t make a motion or anything like that; it was unanimously supported,â€? school board chair Cindy Dekker told Xtra on April 19. “We were very pleased to be able to move forward, and it was supporting our other administrative procedure on diversity and human rights. “It wasn’t a big deal — shall we say — ever. It was part of how we do business in 2012,â€? Dekker adds. “The District is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students and employees, including those who self-identify as a member of a sexual minority,â€? the new policy states in part. The board will also support gay-straight alliances and training for staff, trustees and parent advisory councils to “identify and eliminate homophobic practicesâ€? and encourage staff to adapt classroom materials to include more cultural diversity.

West Vancouver Teachers’ Associa-

tion president Robert Millard says the existing committees. “Our board has a policy affirms what “we believe in and standing committee that we are referring these young people to so they can what we do.�

Two bridges away, Delta trustees come forward with their presentations. were less receptive to their students’ To just strike a committee, that doesn’t request for an anti-homophobia policy. have a lot of merit within our system.�

Some of Saip’s fellow trustees were School board chair Dale Saip says less dismissive. he doesn’t like the idea Trustee Simon Truelove of singling out certain acknowledged that the stugroups for protection. dents expect action and “From a personal perexpressed conďŹ dence that spective I’m probably superintendent Dianne more prone to look at an Turner will move forward. overall encompassing Turner said she wants policy that looks after to hear from more schools everyone regardless of than just South Delta Secdifferences,â€? Saip told ondary. She plans to invite an April 24 board meetgay-straight alliance reping. “Personally, I don’t resentatives from other like the idea of singling schools to meet with disout any one group for trict staff. any reason.â€?

While the district has Getting “lumped un- Delta school board a student conduct policy der the anti-bullying chair Dale Saip.

NATHANIEL CHRISTOPHER that condemns bullying, umbrellaâ€? isn’t good enough, South Delta Secondary stu- trustee Val Windsor thinks it lacks dent Floyd Van Beek countered. “We speciďŹ cs and challenged students to do believe this issue deserves to be rec- what they can to improve it. “I suspect ognized in a specific policy because we’re going to get some recommendahomophobia is so much more than tions coming back to us. And I look forward to those coming back,â€? she said. bullying.â€?

Students can do only so much withSaip discouraged the creation of a gay advisory committee and said any out the active support of district ofpolicy proposals can be discussed in ďŹ cials, Van Beek replied.

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XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

COMMUNITY

Supporting South African lesbians Vancouver’s lesbian softball league reaches out Samantha Sarra “WE ARE THE LARGEST QUEER league in Vancouver, and we have a responsibility to leverage some of that size,� says Morgan Camley, co-chair of Vancouver’s fast-pitch Mabel League, which recently announced it is donating $2,000 to the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW) soccer club in South Africa. “FEW is all about using sports to raise the visibility of lesbian women, and that is something we really wanted to support,� Camley says. “When we asked our membership, it was unanimous; there was no question that we should be supporting their work.� “FEW was started by black lesbians who saw the need to create a safe space for lesbian women, especially those coming from the townships, experiencing discrimination and violence based on their sexual orientation,� says program coordinator Phindi Malaza.

According to FEW’s website, a woman is raped in South Africa every 26 seconds, and many are targeted for their sexual orientation. Zoliswa Nkonyana was murdered by a mob of 20 men in 2006.

Sizakele Sigasa and Solome Masooa were partners who were tortured, raped and shot in the head in 2007. Eudy Simelane was a South African international women’s footballer who was gang raped, beaten, stabbed 25 times and murdered in 2008. Noxolo Nogwaza, a member of the Pride organizing committee, was stoned to death in 2011. “The attacks and murders targeted at lesbians have us always worried about our safety when we are outside of our homes.

Recently, there have been instances of gay men being killed in their homes,â€? Malaza adds. “When we hold events or do media interviews, it is a risk and dangerous because then we can be identiďŹ ed by those who are homophobic, and we become targets for hate crimes. However, we need to ensure that we increase the visibility of lesbian women in spite of the challenges that come with that.â€? “There is an occasional level of drama in queer sports,â€? says Camley, “but the situation in South Africa puts it in perspective. People there are trying to play sports and have the risk of getting gang raped. At FEW and with the Mabel League, we are similar in that we are using sport to increase visibility. In

a different context, we are all working hard to build community, but we have a much easier time because we don’t face the same degree of violence. We want to share our good fortune with FEW.â€? “It motivates us to know that we have the support of queer teams in Canada,â€? Malaza says. “Learning about people from different countries with common goals and sharing experiences gives us courage.â€? “It is very difficult to ďŹ nd support for queer sports,â€? she adds. “The ďŹ nancial donations make it possible for the games to take place.â€?

The gift from the Mabel League will be used for FEW’s upcoming Peg Grey women’s soccer tournament, an annual event. “The overall aim of the tournament is to raise consciousness on violations against women, especially hate crimes against black lesbians in South African townships,â€? Malaza explains. “When we do sports, we become part of the game like everyone else; we are not judged on our sexual orientation, but on our ability as athletes. It also unites us as lesbians because we form a bond as a family, and it helps us forget the homophobic attitudes we face when we leave the ďŹ eld.â€? “Softball allows us the chance to be out and be activists about it, and now we can do something to support other leagues as well,â€? Camley says. “We’ve moved from being just a sports league to focusing on community.â€?

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Interest lost in OUR Spaces Natasha Barsotti REDUCED TO JUST 12 MEMBERS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; nine of whom attended the April 15 annual general meeting â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the threeyear-old society tasked with creating a new queer community centre in Vancouver is struggling to attract and maintain a critical mass of support. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People have become complacent,â&#x20AC;? says outgoing co-chair Laura McDiarmid when asked about the apparent lack of momentum. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was a huge push, and we need that push again to make this happen, to let people know that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still here.â&#x20AC;?

McDiarmid would like to see another community meeting like the standing-room-only gathering at Pulse (now Junction Pub) in July 2009 that led to the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do this, then weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just going to have to abandon it,â&#x20AC;? she warns.

OUR Spacesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new president, Richard Engelhardt, thinks a community consultation might be in order once the new board has had a chance to review whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been done so far.

New OUR Spaces member Ron Dutton, who runs BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gay and lesbian archives, would like the society to draft a long-range action plan, including an architectural rendering of the potential centre thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;semiconcrete.â&#x20AC;?

Most people work best with a vision, Dutton says.

For more on this story, visit xtra.ca.

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Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

MR MADAM, CHAPTER TWO

Terrorists in the parking lot Still QQ Kevin Dale McKeown

LAST MONTH I SHARED SOME STOries of my brief career as a West End madam at the Bute and Pendrell St James Court, an episode shared with friends Chrissie Warren and Jamie Lee Hamilton, and I promised to tell you how it all came to a close.

I think our landlord, an affable German, caught on to what was afoot the night the terrorists bombed the basement parking lot.

Up to that point, he and his wife had missed most of the late-night action and actually seemed to think they were running a retirement home.

Mary, the housemaid who brought clean sheets and local gossip twice a week, had told us about the foreign (she thought Russian) couple up on the next floor who had a frightening collection of firearms. They were, Mary claimed, mounted on walls and falling out of closets.

We had our own problems so didn’t pay much attention. Not, at least, until three o’clock one morning when the building was rocked by an enormous explosion. We weren’t the only people in our building with questionable incomes, and within minutes the halls

were full of half-dressed hookers, johns pulling on their pants and making for the nearest staircase, and little old ladies who were getting their first good look at the neighbours.

Many toilets were flushed and thousands of dollars worth of illicit drugs were consigned to the care of the Vancouver Sewage and Drainage District.

There were sirens, lights flashing, queens screaming, respectable businessmen explaining to one another that they were just visiting friends, and our landlord rushing up and down the halls yelling commands in German.

When the dust had settled and it became evident that nobody was going to get arrested, the rumour took hold that the car belonging to the heavily armed couple upstairs had been bombed to tinsel and that they had vacated their apartment during the confusion. We made a mental note to pump Mary for more information in the morning and went back to work. We did have a business to run!

As with any business, systems are all-important in the love-for-sale trade, and anything more complicated than a quickie requires a good deal of planning.

You’re dealing with the law, unpredictable customers and a landlord whose attention you would rather not attract.

Never mind the terrorists.

Do be patient with the systems. The secret door-knock signals, the cleverly worded conversations over the inter-

Jamie Lee Hamilton and Kevin Dale McKeown share memories of their days at the once notorious St James Court. JAMES LOEWEN

com, and the “Joe sent me” mystique are all for your own protection.

I mean, what are you doing here, anyway?

It was a deviation from such a system that helped me avoid a lengthy sentence for living off the avails, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, harbouring a runaway, possession of any number of unhealthy stimulants, and failing to file a tax return for the period in question.

It had been a fairly quiet evening, and Dagmire and I were closing up shop around 3:30am when there was a frantic knocking on our door.

At that hour of the morning a knock on the door might seem a matter of course for an establishment of our sort. But the fact was that nobody, and may I emphasize nobody, ever knocked on that door without first having been buzzed in on the intercom.

The two young men responsible for

all that knocking were eager for “a good time” and refused to accept my assurances that I didn’t know what they were talking about and that we had just gotten home from a very late church meeting.

Dagmire, who hadn’t had a very good night, was pushing to let them in. The fellows were brandishing cash and insisting that a friend had sent them, and on that thin red moment hinged my entire future — or at least the next several years’ worth.

Gut instinct took hold and I slammed the door, sent a disgruntled Dagmire off to bed and took myself off to the Taurus Baths for the rest cure.

Leaving the building, I almost fell over a black police van parked at the curb. There, chatting amiably with the uniformed driver, was one of the funseekers I had just turned away from our door.

That was it. A brisk walk to the steams, a quick call home to give a heads-up, and another chapter for the memoirs came to a complete, grinding halt.

Oh, there was some talk of finding another apartment, but that was it for me. Anyway, I had a column to file!

Kevin Dale McKeown was Vancouver’s first gay columnist, penning QQ Writes . . . Page 69 for the Georgia Straight through the early 1970s. For more memories of the era, and to contribute your own, go to xtra.ca or visit stillqq.com.

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XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

11

arts › entertainment › leisure

Out City IN THE

GO INTO ANY CHATROOM AND YOU’LL FIND THAT SCORN HAS BECOME ‘JUST A PREFERENCE.’ Fear of faggotry ›13

DOXA

Queer picks from Vancouver’s Denise Sheppard documentary festival

The Man That Got Away the film states — “There’s little that’s lonelier than a constant party.”

In rehab, Jimmy befriends Garland for an ever-so-brief period of time, then leaves with only the memories and a loving note from La Legend herself. His life’s tale is told through a series of five musical numbers and dance sequences, ultimately more camp than concrete storyline. Despite plot lightness, The Man That Got Away is at times visually impressive and recently grabbed a Short Film Prize at the Berlin Film Festival.

Vito

the play’s subject matter, Carol says, “We had been doing free workshops with youth at The Cultch, and they talked about issues like poverty and violence, racism and sexism. But they also talked about the importance of cooking, food, the food bank and the community kitchen program. When I was talking to a youth worker, he said, ‘You should look at the Iron Chef shows; they are totally campy and hysterical.’

I took a look and said, ‘Oh my God, we have to satirize those!’”

VITO RUSSO MAY NOT BE A HOUSEhold gay name, but it should be. Not only was he a respected historian (especially as the writer of the book The Celluloid Closet), Russo was also a noteworthy gay-rights activist.

This compelling film about his life is evocative of Harvey Milk’s story. Like Milk, Russo did not intend to enter the world of activism; it was the brutality of the time that prompted him to action.

In 1970, a dear friend — fearing deportation after his arrest simply for being in a gay bar — jumped to his death from a police station window; he was eviscerated by a metal fence. Convinced that his friend “was pushed” by a pervasive climate of homophobia, Russo vowed to fight for change.

The documentary overflows with footage from marches, the genesis of ACT UP (which Russo also cofounded), and of conflicts not only against but within the gay community. Fans of Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler take note: there is incredibly candid footage of both women participating in the gay politics of the day.

A genuine privilege to watch.

Fri, May 11, 1pm Pacific Cinémathèque

Tues, May 8, 9pm Denman Cinemas

Stock Characters: The Cooking Show LOCAL QUEER FILMMAKER ELAINE Carol spent nearly every waking moment of 2006 and 2007 putting together her play — and subsequent documentary film — Stock Characters: The Cooking Show. The film’s raison d’être mirrors her company’s mission statement: “Merging high art, grassroots community development and popular culture.”

The actors who participated in the project were primarily theatre-green East Van youth, many facing multiple barriers such as disabilities and addiction issues.

When asked about the genesis of

IT CERTAINLY ISN’T THE FIRST campy musical with a Judy Garland twist, but Trevor Anderson’s The Man That Got Away features a plot line that is far more Grimm than Glee. “While Jimmy was in the sanatorium,” Anderson narrates, as a Garland-esque look-alike pops out of a limo, “he met one of the other patients. Talk about failing up!”

According to Anderson family legend, the film is based on a true event involving his gay uncle, who survived war and the Great Depression but not without cost. Once a member of the Marines, then a dancer on Broadway, he had a vibrant life, but — as a line in

Thurs, May 10, 6pm Pacific Cinémathèque

Italy: Love It or Leave It ITALIAN LOVERS LUCA RAGAZZI AND GUSTAV Hofer live in a world-class tourist destination, yet they are disenchanted with the high costs, their country’s terrible leader and the impoverished conditions afflicting so many of its citizens. Sound familiar?

Love It or Leave It is bound to ring true for many Vancouverites. In Ragazzi and Hofer’s case, they decide to make one last attempt to fall in love with Italy, their homeland, before moving to Berlin. They spend six months driving around the country, documenting their adventures.

The film is, in part, a love letter to their homeland, but more than that, it’s a spotlight on its problems.

The beautiful scenery and vibrant people cannot silence the financial and emotional cacophony endured by many of the townsfolk interviewed in the film.

The documentary’s timing is especially noteworthy, as it was shot during the end of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s reign, a period of massive joblessness, environmental crisis and scandal.

Sat, May 5, 4pm Pacific Cinémathèque Filmmakers in attendance

12

Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

listings ›

For more listings, go to xtra.ca

PARTIES +/–110

Tickets available at Little Sister’s or vancouvermenschorus.ca.

Special Roboteria event with new beats from DJs Taffi Louis, Waxwork and Manos. Thurs, May 10, 8pm– midnight. Five Sixty Art Lounge, 560 Seymour St. Cover by donation.

David Russell’s new novel is about a hate crime against a student who wants to take his male partner to the prom. Wed, May 16, 7–8:30pm.

Central Library, Peter Kaye Rm, 350 W Georgia St. Free.

Last Dance

Mabuhay 2012

Out in Schools wants to hear from youth!

YAAH we do!

Join our Youth Steering Committee

Filipino-Canadian queer group Pinoy Pride Vancouver celebrates its first anniversary and raises money for a float for Vancouver Pride. Imelda Mae Santos hosts, with Ms Joey Albert and ManilaBand. Fri, May 4; doors at 6pm. Oasis, 1240 Thurlow St. $20. Tickets at Little Sister’s.

Asian Penis Festival

Bearracuda

The Juno Award winner debuts her new album, Landfall, with guitarist Tim Welch. Special guest Yvette Narlock. Thurs, May 17, 8pm. $20.

Tickets available at Little Sister’s and Highlife Records & Music.

Performances at Diner’s Rendezvous in Nanaimo (Fri, May 18) and Dock’s on Bowen Island (Sat, May 19).

The bears recongregate with DJs Steve Sherwood, Brian Maier, Quest and Adam Dreaddy. Sat, May 5, 9pm.

Five Sixty, 560 Seymour St. $12 at bearracuda.com and Priape.

Shakedown East Side queer dance party, with DJs Party Martyr, Ugly and Guero Bandolero. Wed, May 9, 10pm–1am.

The Astoria, 769 E Hastings St. $3.

ART, PERFORMANCE & FESTIVALS Sing with Rent Movie musical sing-along. Fri, May 4; 8pm meet and greet, 9pm show.

Denman Cinemas, 1779 Comox St. $15. Tickets at the door or in advance at ticketzone.com.

The Boys in the Band

If you are under 25, and want to get involved with Out in Schools, join YAAH

(Youth Allies Against Homophobia) today! Details at OutinSchools.com

This groundbreaking 1968 play offers an honest look at friendships.

Runs until Sun, May 6. PAL Theatre, 581 Cardero St. $25 advance at brownpapertickets.com/ event/217822.

Screwdriver: Dirty Words for Filthy Queers Lineup includes strip-hop sensation Man Chyna, Felice Shays, storyteller Ivan Coyote, the homosexual harmonies of Leadfoot, Amber Dawn, cellist Cris Derksen, Elaine Miller and Kona. Fri, May 4, 8pm. The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac St. $10–20 sliding scale.

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Indulge your campy and champagne tastes with the Vancouver Men’s Chorus. Thurs, May 10–Sun, May 13, 8pm. Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright St, Granville Island. $30, $60 reserved patron seating.

Les Chan hosts. Sat, May 12; 6:30pm cocktails, 7:30pm dinner. Shanghai City Restaurant, 548 Fisgard St. $40. For info and tickets call 1-250383-7317.

Carole Pope

MEETINGS & GROUPS Rough Sex: Immediate Gratification Workshops with sex and BDSM educator Felice Shays. Sat, May 5, 1–2:30pm. One workshop, $20–40 (sliding scale); both workshops, $35–70 (sliding scale). 18+. To register, email toolbox.productions. canada@gmail.com.

Not So Strictly Ballroom Queer dance club hosts lessons in beginner to intermediate mambo, 6:30–7:15pm, and nightclub 2-step, 7:15–8pm. Murray Schellenberg instructs. Runs until Tues, May 8. Rhodes Wellness College, 1125 Howe St (bell to the right of the door near alley), second floor. $60 for 45-minute class; $100 for two. Register and pay online at notsostrictlyballroom.ca.

MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert’s Open House Fri, May 11, 5–7pm. 923 Denman St. spencerchandraherbert.ca

Circles of Hope The Rainbow Refugee Society hosts an evening of film and storytelling to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. Features short documentaries by journalist Paula Stromberg. Director in attendance.

Thurs, May 17, 7pm. Rhizome Café, 317 E Broadway. $10 suggested donation.

Join your MLA for a slice of some West End History!

Can’t find Xtra?

Suggest a local business as a pickup spot for Xtra and we’ll add them to our distribution route.

Contact: craig.palmer@xtra.ca

MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert’s Annual Open House Fri May 11th, 5-7 pm Meet your MLA and enjoy a walk through the changing history of your community.

Featuring rarely seen photographs of the West end

For more information Give us a shout at 604-660+7307 s.chandraherbert.mla@leg.bc.ca www.spencerchandraherbert.ca Photos also on display Sat May 12th 11am - 3pm!

more at xtra.ca

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

13

FEAR OF FAGGOTRY COVER STORY

Author Mattilda B Sycamore thinks gay culture has lost its way

ATTILDA B SYCAMORE thinks it’s time for an intervention.

Gay culture has become obsessed with normalcy, sanitized by assimilation and increasingly soulless, Sycamore says.

For a community founded by desire, this decline is particularly discouraging.

“Desire is what started us — in terms of our love and our community building and our visions of intimacy,” says the editor of the new anthology Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots?

Not to mention the desire “for full selfexpression” in a world that often wants gay men to simply disappear. “There was a sense of communal struggle,” Sycamore says, especially in the 1990s, when being a gay man meant being surrounded by death.

But that struggle has since been muted by shifting desires.

“The nature of the gay movement has made desire into a dead end,” Sycamore says. “The desire just means buy this cocktail, wear these clothes, go to these bars, look like this — it’s all about creating a consumer identity.”

How could our desire have veered so off-track?

Sycamore blames the desire itself.

“Desire is what brought us to this sort of gay culture that either is obsessed with normalcy at any cost or this sort of closethe-blinds . . . lack of accountability or communal care,” she says.

“It’s now about fighting for the right to kill or get hitched,” she says, referring to the gay marriage battles and the push to end the US military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. “I think there was a little more space in the early ’90s for flamboyance and for challenging political decisions. In San Francisco, there is a history of radical alternatives to community, family and sexuality. And since then, those cultures [and radical ideas] have been marginalized.”

Today’s focus, she argues, is shaped by mainstream ideas of family and marriage.

These ideals have become so dominant that there is no room for any alternative.

“Now, you turn on the TV and you see vapid, hyper-consumer, pointless representations of gay identity, and you’re supposed to relate.”

For Sycamore, that’s worse than turning on the TV and seeing no gay representation at all.

“In the early ’90s, gay identity was represented by straight homophobic representations, but now we have gay people articulating straight, homophobic representations. Is that better? We’ve internalized the emptiness and violence of straight

RANDALL COSCO

M

Daniel Zomparelli

NOW, YOU TURN ON THE TV AND YOU SEE VAPID, HYPER-CONSUMER, POINTLESS REPRESENTATIONS OF GAY IDENTITY, AND YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO RELATE. —Mattilda B Sycamore normalcy and we project that as our own goal and representations,” she says.

“The question for me is what would be an intervention for that kind of morass.”

As alarming to her as the sanitization of our healthy desire is the hyper-calculated, almost brutal, desire that smoulders underground, callous and unchecked.

Go into any chatroom and you’ll find that scorn has become “just a preference,” lack of respect is assumed, and lying is a given, Sycamore says.

“Under 30 only, no blacks or no Asians, or no femmes or fatties — these are universally articulated norms. In so many ways, our gay culture has become about who is excluded.”

As someone who grew up being called a “sissy” and a “faggot,” Sycamore knows what it’s like to feel excluded, particularly from an aggressively masculine world.

“What I find so tragic about mandatory

Mattilda B Sycamore, above, editor of Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots?, says gay culture has “internalized the emptiness of straight normalcy” and needs to take more risks.

JAMES LOEWEN

masculinity in gay culture is that gay men are desperate to embrace the exact same thing that oppressed, and continues to oppress, so many faggots and sissies growing up — not to mention women, queers, trans people and yes, even straight men, the ones who can’t or aren’t willing to measure up either.”

Gay men are increasingly citing strong, hairy, tall, muscular men as their type and eschewing the wispier, willowier among us.

The modern gay man must be fit, wear the right clothes, know the right people and, of course, be “straight acting,” Sycamore says. “Anyone who doesn’t fit into these moulds falls into the margins.”

“So gay neighbourhoods are defined by who is not allowed,” she continues. “It’s sad because gay neighbourhoods started because gay men were trying to find ways to express themselves openly, where you can hold hands in public. And now, gay

neighbourhoods are more based on — like San Francisco, where gay people have become part of the power structure. And you see gay people evicting people with AIDS, and gay people voting against the construction of a queer youth shelter . . .”

This hyper-consumer norm pervades gay male sexuality, as well, she believes.

“In the sexual realm, it’s about what you can get, how you can get it, and throwing it in the trash. That norm, that hyperconsumer norm, is so dominant that it’s overwhelming.”

Sycamore would like to see gay culture re-broaden itself to welcome femininity and flamboyance — and risk.

Risk leads to growth, she says, whereas risk-aversion leads to stagnation. Or worse.

“What if the risks people are avoiding are the risk of femininity, or talking to someone who has HIV, or the risk of intergenerational contact?” she asks. “Those are the risks that are going to give us the answers to the questions that we need, to find the connection that we’re hoping for. Those are the risks that gay culture is afraid of.”

The possibility of a successful intervention lies in honest discussion, she believes.

“For me, the hope lies in opening up the possibility for an honest conversation that talks about the places where we failed, that talks about messiness, that talks about the problems, that talks about the places where our dreams become nightmares, the places where what we thought was going to lead to greater possibilities for intimacy or love or community . . . leads into walls.

“We’re never going to get anywhere else unless we can talk about these complicated spaces of failure, which also lead to more dreams,” Sycamore says.

14

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

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XTRA’S GUIDE TO FOOD, NIGHTLIFE AND FUN robson street oakridge centre metropolis richmond centre park royal south boysco.com

EVENT LISTINGS SAT, MAY 5 Bearracuda

SAT, MAY 19 Peter Rauhofer

SUN, MAY 20 HARD: A Leather & Fetish Ball

SAT, MAY 26 DJ Dwayne Minard (Toronto)

SAT, JUNE 2 DJ/Producer Hector Fonseca - I (Heart) NYC

SAT, JUNE 23 Big Ezay free bg 11PM

FOUNTAINHEAD PUB 1011 DAVIE ST, VANCOU VER 604-687-2222 WEDNESDAYS Red Truck pints; Beefeater gin highballs.

THURSDAYS Grower’s Cider; Alexander Keith’s pints.

FRIDAYS Polar Ice vodka highballs; Kokanee pints; Naughty Shots.

SATURDAYS Smirnoff Ice coolers; Granville Island pints; Naughty Shots.

SUNDAYS Caesars; OK Spring pints.

MONDAYS Labatt’s Blue pints; Jackson Triggs wines.

TUESDAYS Smirnoff Twisted coolers; Russell pints.

CELEBRITIES NIGHT CLUB 1022 DAVIE ST, VANCOUVER 604-681-6180 celebritiesnightclub.com WEDNESDAYS Bingo 8pm-10:30pm; The Dollhouse Show 11:00pm.

Ticket Price: $3 after 10pm (100% proceeds benefit the DMS Charities) Music Style: Top 40 remixes THURSDAYS Hard Candy $4.50 Highballs. A night where the boys bare it all! Indulge yourself where hot boys strip down to nothing and heat you up, while the crowd packs the dance floor with DJ Drew and DJ Mattilda Ho spinning hot and sexy Top 40 remixes.

FRIDAYS AN21- SeasonsFest 2012.

Free party. Blueprintevents.ca

SATURDAYS Mystery guests - SeasonsFest2012 SUN, APRIL 8 Gemini and Koan Sound TUESDAYS Vancouver’s original musical Shit Mix is the city’s busiest weekly party. Year-round, Tuesdays are packed with a too-young-to-die, too-fastto-live with DarylO and Johnny Jover

STEAMWORKS 123 W PENDER ST, VANCOUVER steamworksonline.com THURSDAYS Lights-out party. 4pm–4am.

Find out who goes hump in the dark.

SUNDAYS Sticky buns Sundays.

4am–8am. Sunday mornings starting at 4am, complimentary baked treats and freshly brewed coffee.

MON-TUES Cram-session student night: discount with student ID. Bring in your valid student ID and receive a free 90-day student membership and $5 off your rental, every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6pm-midnight.

WEDNESDAYS Lights-out party. 4pm-4am. Find out who goes hump in the dark.

For more information on events, visit fivesixty.ca Connect with us on:

more at xtra.ca

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

15

My screaming Jesus weenie CHERRY POPPING

Blitz & Shitz Raziel

S

CREAMING WEENIE’S CABAret was like the microphone I used while giving my reading.

It was up, then slowly slipped down. But that was the point.

The night was supposed to be a diverse celebration of queer art that took you on a metaphysical roller coaster. Your weenie goes on a ride without ever being ridden! Although the W2 was as dark and cold as a dungeon, so who knows what was going on in the shadows?

Funny lady Amy Wilding hosted and was the true star of the show. She knew exactly how to pump up her weenies with jokes and a song to balance out the more serious performances. Check out The Amy Wilding Show’s Facebook page for her upcoming events.

Dane B McFadhen gave a reading on his experiences growing up gay, and CE Gatchalian read from his play Falling in Time. There was a short film presentation directed by Seán Cummings and music by the dexterous duo of Joel Destefano and Carol Sawyer.

I read an excerpt from a young adult novel I’ve been working on called The Emblem of Eternity, inspired by the hate-crime murder of Larry Fobes King.

It was my first time giving a public reading of this story, so I was anxious as hell.

I’m glad Screaming Weenie popped my cherry because they understand the importance of nurturing gay talent. If we don’t, who will? Scratch my weenie, and I’ll scratch yours!

JUNCTION

Chocolate Thursday Chocolate Milk launched at Shine Nightclub, which will be its weekly home. It was fresh! Shine is a comfortable venue with a good sound system; Chocolate Milk’s rotating DJs include G-Luv, Jay Douglas, Maxwell Maxwell, Coleo, T, Mumbles, and David Love Jones, who spin retro ’80s and ’90s classic house/indie dance realness.

It had a slow start, but by midnight the crowd was filing in. Shine’s only a hop and a skip (or a bump and a trip) away from Davie, so it offers something different than top 40 if you are so inclined.

Jesus walks I recently blogged on xtra.ca’s Blitz & Shitz about an Anglican reverend who wrote a piece for The Guardian about how, in his opinion, Jesus was gay. He said the truth lies in Jesus’ last words, spoken to his disciple John and his mother, Mary: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman behold your son!’

Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold

Pride is closer than you think.

The sun is shining in Vancouver and that can only mean two things: Short Shorts and Pride!

Book your Pride Guide ad for maximum exposure VANCOUV ER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Booking Deadline: Wed June20 Artwork Deadline: Wed, June 27 Release Date: Thu, July 26

The To-Do List

ULTIMATE

JULY 15–AUG 13, 2011

GUIDE EVENTS 11–67

Daily happenings across the city

THE MAP 36–37 Parade routes & homo hangouts

HIGHLIGHTS

Featured events & tips for Pride

Shine’s new gay night, Chocolate Milk, is only a hop and a skip (or a bump and a trip) away from Davie St, writes Raziel (with Peter Breeze). ALVIN GRADO

your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

John was the only man to go with Jesus to his execution, sat next to Jesus during the Last Supper, and is often seen in Christian art resting his head on Jesus’ breast.

We’ll never know for sure if Jesus was gay, but his relationship with John is a very important example of same-sex devotion throughout history and should be used against the religiously misled in the debate about gay marriage.

Particularly in American states where same-sex unions are illegal, because when one partner dies the other is left with few rights, a situation that can be financially and emotionally devastat-

ing. Jesus wanted someone of the same sex to be taken care of after his death, which is no different than what many gay couples want.

If all this gossip about God interests you, Christ Alive Community Church is exploring “The Gospel of John from a queer perspective.” They meet Sunday evenings at 1155 Thurlow St.

PS May-jito: 3 ounces coconut water 1½ ounces rum 10 mint leaves Juice of one lime

Fiesta Latina takes over the first Thursday of every month, with DJ Marco returning Thurs, May 3. Junction has taken inspiration from Colonel Sanders by adding Toonie Tuesdays. No chickens will be hurt, unlike your head Wednesday morning when you’re trying to drag yourself to work with the taste of $2 beer still fresh in your mouth.

Nothing like a li’l mid-week glamour!

BURLESQUE FESTIVAL The seventh annual Burlesque Festival takes over Vancouver Thurs, May 3 through Sat, May 5 at The Rio and Vogue theatres. Headliners include reigning Queen of Burlesque Miss Indigo Blue, male strip artist Jett Adore, BC legend Judith Stein, and Miss Nude Universe 1975 Tiffany Carter.

For tickets and info, check out vanburlesquefest.com.

16

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gay & lesbian news

more at xtra.ca

XPOSED Photos by Joshua McVeity

AccolAIDS 2012

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

GENERAL DENTISTRY

17

dr. langston

raymond

Offering cosmetic restorative dentistry in a comfortable environment

BC’s Positive Living Society held its biannual awards gala to honour heroes of the HIV/AIDS movement Sun, April 29 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

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Serving the Community since 2000 new patient appointments available Mon & Fri

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Tuesday, May 22th, 2012 • 6-8PM Best Western Chateau Granville (Granville & Helmcken) RSVP by May 18th > jenm@positivelivingbc.org or 604.893.2239

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PRESENTERS: Maggie Atkinson 1) Glyn Townson won the Kevin Brown PWA Hero Award. 2) Kenn Hamlin and Grant Minish. 3) Shirley and Bob Young accepted the Legacy AccolAID on behalf of their late son, Dr Peter Jepson-Young. 4) Gregg Baker, Brendan Bailey and Dr Joss de Wet. 5) Richard Teague, Richard Johnson, Dr Paul Gross and Elrick Lu, of DUDES, an innovative brotherhood for men’s health. 6) Martin Spencer with Joan-E, who won the Philanthropy AccolAIDS Award.

BA, LLB, LSM, O. Ont

Sean B. Rourke

PhD, Scientific & Executive Director, Ontario HIV Treatment Network Director, Centre for REACH in HIV/AIDS & University Without Walls, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

This event is free and open to all.

Dinner is provided.

A World of Gay Adventure

Madrid

Spain’s dynamic capital Armando Mendonça with files from guidemag.com

M

TOURISM MADRID

TOURISM MADRID

Honour guard at the Royal Palace, top. At left, Plaza de Cibeles and City Hall. Above, the Pride Festival on Plaza de España.

ADRID, THE BUSTLING cosmopolitan capital of Spain, offers a breathtaking journey through time with its impressive monuments, palaces, fountains, religious houses and city squares. The city’s architecture is a pastiche of styles and eras; traces of the old Arab and medieval cities remain, mixed in with structures built during the time of the Hapsburgs, Bourbons and King Charles III, known as the “bricklayer king.”

The Cuchilleros Arch is the most famous of nine gates into Madrid’s main square, Plaza Mayor. It connects to La Cava de San Miguel, a street full of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a wide range of Spanish culinary delights (see sidebar).

Tapas, small appetizer portions of various dishes, is a staple in Spanish cuisine. The locals, known as Madrileños, dine late and commonly have these small plates after work to tide them over until a 10 or 11pm dinner.

There are many tapas spots to choose from in the old town, in the Sol, La Latina, Plaza de Santa Ana, Cava Baja, Cava Alta and Plaza Mayor areas. There are a handful of great gay-owned and -friendly restaurants throughout the city, such as Carmencita and Divina la Cocina, in the Chueca neighbourhood; Arroceria Gala and Paelleria Vallenciana, in Puerta del Sol; and Gula Gula, on the Gran Via, to list a few favourites.

After a late-night meal, the vibrant club and nightlife scene awakens; the strumming of Spanish guitars echoes in side streets as Euro-pop builds inside the heaving clubs.

Neighbourhoods The main gay neighbourhoods are Chueca, in the old quarter, and Barrio, located in the centre just off Gran Via.

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Notable places to visit Cuchilleros Arch Neptune Fountain Teatro Real Puerta del Sol Puerta de Alcalá Plaza de Oriente Plaza Mayor Royal Palace of El Pardo

Savour the flavours While in Madrid, sample these tasty Spanish dishes.

Tortillitas de camarones: shrimp fritters made with chickpea flour Spicy chorizo sausage and cheese tortilla: delicious hot or cold Costillas: barbecued mini-ribs Ceviche: fish/seafood marinated in lime juice Artichoke-rice croquetas with manchego cheese Prawn croquetas with béchamel Cocido: chickpea stew Torrijas: fried bread with honey or sugar MIKE THOMPSON

Outdoor cafés are great for people watching, above. Calle de Alcalá, right, is Madrid’s longest street. Madrid’s nightlife starts late, below right.

The majority of gay venues are situated in the maze of small streets around Plaza Chueca and onward toward Gran Via. The area around Metro Lavapiés also has a cluster of clubs and restaurants.

A number of gay-owned and -friendly bars, cafés, restaurants, boutique shops, clubs and clothing stores are located in both areas. Same-sex kissing and handholding are common sights in these neighbourhoods, and in the city in general.

Gran Vía and Paseo de la Castellana are two of Madrid’s most famous streets and offer an unparalleled shopping experience, with Gran Vía known for its antique shops and charming cafés. Paseo de la Castellana is the place to go for deluxe hotels, art galleries and specialty boutiques.

Culture Madrid Gay Pride, or Orgullo in Spanish, is one of the largest Pride celebrations in Europe. It features a massive Saturday parade (this year it takes place on June 30) from Puerta de Alcalá to Plaza de España. Participants and viewers along the two-kilometre route number about 1.5 million people each year. Most of the Pride parties and

celebrations are held in the Chueca neighbourhood, a short walk from the city centre. The Pride Festival, on the leafy Plaza de España, starts after the parade, from about 6pm onward; the Plaza Chueca street parties attract as many as 300,000 people.

The Madrid Card is a great option for visitors who want to take in the major tourist attractions. It offers free entrance to more than 50 museums, the Discover Madrid walking tours (organized by the tourist board), the Teleférico cable car, the Real Madrid museum tour, a number of shows, and discounts in various restaurants and shops. Visit madridcard.com for more information.

The Golden Triangle of Art consists of three world-renowned museums that are home to some of Spain’s most famous works of art: Museo del Prado, Spain’s main art museum, which houses some of Europe’s finest paintings and sculptures, including works by Spanish artists Velázquez and Francisco de Goya; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Spain’s museum of 20thcentury art, known for its collections of Pablo Picasso (most famously Guernica) and Salvador Dalí; and Museo ThyssenBornemisza, which fills in the gaps left by the other two.

Madrid GETTING AROUND Madrid is a walker’s city, so be sure to allow plenty of time for strolling.

The Metro is big, cheap (1.50 euros per single trip; day passes available) and efficient. English is the second language on the signs and maps are free at the ticket booths. The Metro closes overnight, with most stations opening at 6am. Some stations, such as Puerta del Sol, open at 5am, with commuter lines for the airport or Atocha Station intercity trains.

Local buses are also a good option; they operate from approximately 6am–11:30pm and run in special lanes on the city’s main streets.

White-and-red-striped taxis run day and night; look for the city crest and a licence number on the side. If the green light is on, the car is available.

GETTING THERE There are no direct flights to Madrid from Vancouver. Most Air Canada flights route through Toronto. British Air and multiple US carriers offer flights from Vancouver through London. Madrid’s Barajas Airport is about seven miles east of the city. The airport is connected by Metro Madrid Line 8 to the city, with stations at the terminal buildings. It takes about 50 minutes and less than $5 to reach the Chueca station, with two line changes.

Trip advisor BARS & CLUBS Bears Bar Griffin’s Dance Club

LODGINGS Hostal Puerta del Sol Petit Palace Ducal Chueca

RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS FERMÍN RODRÍGUEZ FAJARDO

Divina la Cocina Momo

SAUNAS & SEX CLUBS Sauna Octopus Sauna Paraiso

SHOPPING & SERVICES Juan, Por Dios!

Different Life Book/Sex Shop For information on morethan 150 gay and lesbian places of interest in Madrid visit guidemag.com.

on the web Spain Tourism ›spain.info Madrid Tourism ›turismomadrid.es/en MIKE THOMPSON

Be YOU in Manchester Find out why Manchester should be on YOUR places to visit list! visitmanchester.com/lgbt

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XTRA! MAY 3, 2012 Stroll, bathe or dine at Olympic Port, left.

Below, the quaint narrow streets of Sitges.

Barcelona&Sitges BARCELONA TOURISM

Spectacular beaches and bustling gay scene

B

Piknic Électronik goes Catalan

Guidemag.com staff MIKE THOMPSON

ARCELONA IS ONE OF THE MOST VIBRANT AND CELEBRATED tourist destinations in the world; it is particularly welcoming of the gay community. This Mediterranean port city is one of Europe’s busiest and is frequently included in gay cruise itineraries. Located on Spain’s northeast coast, Barcelona is one of the top destinations for gay Canadian travellers.

GAYXAMPLE

The L’Eixample quarter — commonly referred to as Gayxample — is the heart of the gay neighbourhood. With its many clubs, bars, restaurants and shops, it buzzes with activity both day and night.

Chic and elegant, the gay-owned and -operated Axel Hotel, with its amazing rooftop terrace, pool and cocktail lounge, is a full-service boutique hotel in L’Eixample that delivers superior dining, comfort and style.

Also located in Gayxample is H10 Casanova Hotel; it offers all the modern conveniences with class and style and is within walking distance of the hottest bars and clubs.

Barcelona is home to some of the best gay events in Europe, with the Pride Barcelona and Circuit Festival showcasing diversity at its best. One of the main events during Circuit Festival is Water Park Day. Check out all the fun at circuitfestival.net.

The beaches along the coast, just minutes from the city, are simply breathtaking; the most popular gay beach, Barceloneta, is considered one of the best urban beaches in the world. Hidden behind a stand of bamboo is Mar Bella, the gay nude beach.

The metro is the best way to get to the beaches, but the bus service is a great alternative during off-peak times.

The pedestrian zone of Las Ramblas, with its shops, cafés and street performers, is a must-see in Barcelona. Equally important is the work of Antoni Gaudí, the famous Catalonian architect. One cannot leave the city without a visit to Casa-Museu Gaudí and to Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Família basilica.

There are no direct flights from Vancouver to Barcelona; seven airlines offer a range of one- and twostop flights connecting through Canada and the US. Barcelona’s El Prat Airport is a short 20-minute train ride from the city.

SEASIDE IN SITGES Sitges is a hidden gem a short 20minute train ride southwest of Barcelona. A beautiful town with narrow cobblestone streets, colonial-style architecture and a breathtaking beachfront that stretches for miles, Sitges’ bohemian history has provided inspiration for such artists and writers as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Tennessee Williams. It is no wonder this resort has become a mecca for gay visitors from around the world.

There are three main gay beaches in Sitges: the central Playa de la Bassa Rodona, opposite the Hotel Calipolis; Playa de las Balmins, a 15-minute walk east past the town church; and the secluded Playa del Muerto, a 10-minute taxi ride followed by a 10-minute walk past Terramar Hotel. The latter two beaches are mixed, with nude bathing in designated areas.

The centre of town can be best described as a labyrinth, with charming hidden nooks and quaint side streets where you will find designer boutiques, ice cream parlours, martini bars and galleries showcasing work from local artisans. Getting around is easy, as most places of interest are within walking distance.

Nightlife in Sitges, like most Spanish cities, doesn’t get busy until after 1am, and there are plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs to choose from.

Spotting same-sex couples holding hands, embracing and kissing is a common occurrence in this live-andlet-live town.

The Hotel Calipolis is conveniently located directly across from Playa de la Bassa Rodona. Light sleepers might consider requesting one of the top floors, however, as the city tends to get very festive in the wee hours. Apartments and bed-and-breakfast accommodation are available and affordable if four or more are sharing. Book well in advance to secure your accommodation, especially if you’re travelling during July or August.

Visit guidemag.com for more than 250 listings on places of interest in Barcelona and Sitges.

on the web Spain Tourism ›spain.info Barcelona Tourism ›barcelonaturisme.com

The popular Montreal music fest Piknic Électronik will launch a satellite season in Barcelona in July. Fans of electronic music will enjoy 10 dates over the summer at Barcelona’s magnificent downtown Montjuïc Park.

Two years in the planning, the Catalan expansion marks the 10th anniversary of Piknic Électronik, a fun-in-the-sun music celebration that is one of Montreal’s summer culture mainstays.

Piknic expanded into Canada’s National Capital Region by adding Gatineau as a locale last summer.

The Gatineau Piknic will return for a second season at the gardens of the Canadian Museum of Civilization starting June 10.

Piknic also hopes to be in Vancouver in June for a third edition and is actively working to confirm summer dates in Quebec City.

The complete program for the 10th season of Piknic in Montreal will be announced Tuesday, May 1. Lineups for Gatineau and Barcelona will be unveiled on May 8 and June 1, respectively.

Visit piknicelectronik.com for complete details.

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A World of Gay Adventure

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

STAY HILTON. GO OUT

MONTREAL’S

OSHEAGA FEST

TAKES SHAPE The lineup for the 2012 Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal is official — and more or less complete — and there are some big names on the long list.

Xtra’s March edition of Guidemag featured a few of Montreal’s many summer festivals, including Osheaga, whose lineup was trickling out at the time. At the same time, a fake lineup was making its way around the web, which got people talking but also got them confused, especially since there was some overlap between the prank and reality.

Most of the speculation has been put to rest as Osheaga’s publicity machine cranks up to speed. On April 26 it was announced that the previously confirmed heavyweights — including the Black Keys, Justice, the Weeknd, Florence and the

Machine, Sigur Rós and M83 — will be joined by ’80s feedback masters the Jesus and Mary Chain. Also confirmed are Fun, Santigold, Buraka Som Sistema and Wolfgang Gartner.

The full roster is available at lineup. osheaga.com; organizers seem to be building and sustaining the excitement by announcing the acts in dribs and drabs, so check back frequently for the latest.

Launched in 2006 with the intention of offering Canadians a Europeanstyle music festival, Osheaga is sometimes compared to the multiday, multistage Coachella, which takes place each year in southern California and recently saw the holographic second coming of Tupac.

This year’s Osheaga Festival takes place in Parc Jean-Drapeau from Aug 3 to 5.

The main stage at the 2011 Osheaga Festival. OSHEAGOTV

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Fine dining in the desert.

COURTESY PALM SPRINGS VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU

Splash in a desert oasis Palm Springs is renowned as a winter getaway, but California’s gay oasis is also a prime locale for a summer desert vacation, with experiences ranging from adventure to pure relaxation.

If you’re looking for a big-city atmosphere with a booming club scene, you should look elsewhere; Palm Springs is a quiet, relaxing resort town. Certainly, there is a thriving nightlife, but that’s hardly the city’s main appeal. Sunshine, swimming pools, world-class golf courses and tennis courts, great restaurants and awe-inspiring mountain vistas are the reasons to visit.

With an average of 332 days of sunshine each year, it’s easy to understand the appeal. And while summer temperatures are hot, Palm Springs doesn’t have the energydraining humidity that plagues some Canadian and American cities.

One of the season’s big draws is Summer Splash, which runs June 1

through Sept 15. Hotels, restaurants, bars, retailers and entertainment venues band together to create a lineup of special events and discount offers. You’ll find great bargains on accommodations, restaurants, car rentals and local attractions.

This summer marks the fifth year of Summer Splash, which is sponsored by the Desert Gay Tourism Guild. For more information and DGTG’s event calendar, visit palmspringsgayinfo.com. For more information on Summer Splash deals, visit palmspringssummersplash.com.

Air Canada and WestJet offer a range of flight options to Palm Springs, including some direct flights.

About 10 airlines service the Palm Springs International Airport, so there may be options for connecting flights from your home city on US carriers.

An added bonus: conveniently located in the centre of town, Palm Springs’ airport is one of the most pleasant and manageable on the planet.

Hilton Hotels has launched a new promotion for the 2012 Pride season at 140 hotels worldwide.

The “Stay Hilton. Go Out” program offers travellers reduced room rates, double Hilton HHonors points, free high-speed internet, late checkout when available, and a free one-year digital subscription to Out magazine.

“Whether attending celebrations close to home or in top destinations around the world, Pride season is a peak travel period for our LGBT guests,” says Dave Horton, of Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “Our offer extends a warm welcome during this special time and is an extension of our presence at top community events.”

Travellers can reserve packages at more than 140 Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations properties, including Vancouver, Los Angeles, Toronto, London and Sydney.

Hilton is the official hotel partner for several high-profile gay events, including WorldPride 2012 in London, England, where eight properties are offering the “Stay Hilton. Go Out” package.

THE GOOD LIFE. Is there a place where couples stroll on a beach? Float away in 5 steamy hot pools and a healing spa?

Dine in elegance and dance the night away? Yes. There is such a place. It’s here, where the good life begins.

Call 866.797.5305 www.harrisonresort.com Hospitality by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts. ©2012 Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Corp.

For more information and travel offers, visit hilton.com/goout.

Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

HILTON HOTELS

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XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

Real Estate

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In these situations you are not only selling your investment property, you are selling the tenant’s home. This process can be emotional and showings are seen as an inconvenience and invasion on their privacy. If the showings go on with random requests, your tenant may become annoyed and deny the right of entry to your agent.

While you do have legal options if this occurs, it is in your best interest to not escalate the process to this point. Put yourself in your tenant’s shoes, how would you like to be inconvenienced on a daily basis?

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Question: I am selling my rental property, what do I need to know?

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To avoid some of the common problems, hold a meeting with both your tenant and agent. Try to work out a showing schedule that would work for all parties involved. This way your tenant feels like they have some control over their privacy, and your agent will know when to schedule showings and open houses. You would be surprised how often this simple step is overlooked, and how much trouble it can save in the long run.

Xtra’s guide to the lucrative gay & lesbian housing market.

Michael Chiu

Ask a

Answer: A: When selling your investment property, there are two things to keep in mind: the legal aspect, and the tenant.

Legally, you need to know exactly what kind of lease you have in place. This is important, for two reasons 1) If the lease is still current, the purchaser will have to h o n o u r t h e l e a s e .

2) If the lease is on a month to month basis, you will have to serve the tenant 2 full months’ notice and reimburse the tenant for 1 months’ rent after the offer has been accepted.

You can only give notice to the tenant if the new owner or his next of kin will occupy the suite for a minimum of 6 months. Your agent will review your legal obligations with you and make sure the final sale works in the interest of all involved.

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PROFILE

Recently Sold #403-1500 Haro St, Vancouver BC LISTED: $559,000 SOLD: $563,000 The ideal 2 bedroom in the WEST END! Beauty &warmth in this corner unit flooded with light on three sides offers NORTH, EAST & SOUTH exposure plus 2 balconies with some mountain, City views, Faboulous floor plan, superb for entertaining. Culintary features include Fisher Paykel fridge, Boran Elite Fan, ceramic stove top & built in oven, spacious ebony granite counters, sleek cabinets & radiant floors. Throughout a mix of Lauzon harwood, cork & porcelain tile. Beautifully detailed with Lafayette blinds & custom built-in storage. Contemporary designed spa baths, walk-in shower, relaxing soaker tub, Duravit sinks, Kohler fixtures, walk-in closet & laundry area. “Haro Place” is a reputable concrete building & issue free. Perfect!

Susan Cameron 604-720-1214 susancameronrealtor.com Coldwell Banker Premier Realty

more at xtra.ca

ADVERTISING FEATURE

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

23

ADRIAAN SCHIPPER your neighbourhood realtor

www.AdriaanSchipper.com

Preparing for an Open House

Showing oďŹ&#x20AC; your features Remember to always highlight your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best architectural features. Arrange your furniture in each room so that you have very obvious focal points that show oďŹ&#x20AC; the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best selling attributes. For example, if you have a beautiful ďŹ replace, place the furniture in a way that draws the potential buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye to that feature.

P rofessional

Independently Owned and Operated 3215 MacDonald St. Vancouver BC V6L 2N2 Office: 604.732.1336

R esponsive

Top 1% of Royal LePage Canada and #1 in the office NEW Top floor home in the Andaluca one of the West Endâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most reputable buildings! 610 SF $439,900 New Price Concrete â&#x20AC;&#x153;fixer upperâ&#x20AC;? in Hornby Court 615 SF $299, 900 NEW 2188 W 8th 3 level stunning designer townhouse 1410 SF $998,800

E

M

DA

L L IO

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VOTED BEST REALTOR Xtra! West Readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poll

I n Touch

Top 10% of all Lower Mainland Realtors - 16 years

D ependable

Former Gay & Lesbian Business Association Board Director

E thical

Donates 5% of commissions to your favourite charity upon purchase of a new home

Award-winning service to the Gay and ,ESBIAN #OMMUNITY FOR OVER YEARS

Re/Max Real Estate Services 0HONE s &AX 4OLL &REE s IAN IANHOLT COM

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CL U B

Bad smells kill the deal.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deďŹ nitely worth your time and money to ensure that your house is clean and odour free. Cigarette smoke, pet smells and other nasty odours will attack the senses of your potential buyers.

Try burning candles, baking cookies or boiling cinnamon sticks to create an inviting aroma throughout the house.

RE/MAX CREST REALTY(westside)

M LS M

Helpful Hints

Direct: 604.818.8265 email: schipper@telus.net

E M B ER

DIAMOND AWARD

Mike Wilcox 604 782 3545 Will Pratt 778 772 4252

Have a Real Estate or Mortgage question on your mind? â&#x20AC;ş Call 604-684-9696 x124

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or email realestate.vancouver@xtra.ca

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Joel Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly & Denise Brynelsen 1.604.741.1837 www.brynelsenoreilly.com info@brynelsenoreilly.com

24

Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

Vancouver’s online directory of gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses

indexdirectory.ca

ACCOMMODATIONS - BRITISH COLUMBIA Bluff View Cottage 250-539-3475 Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa 1-866-797-5305 The Eagle’s Nest B&B 1-866-766-9350 Accounting+ Best Books Inc Felicity Webb

604-374-1424 604-215-8872 604-721-7537

ADDICTIONS Orchard Recovery

604-947-0420

ADULT 1-800-361-9929

AIDS/HIV RESOURCES A Loving Spoonful 604-682-6325 AIDS Vancouver 604-893-2201 AIDS Vancouver Island 250-384-2366 ANKORS, Kootenay/Boundary HIV/ AIDS Network, Outreach & Support 1-800-421-2437 Dr Peter AIDS Foundation 604-331-5086 HIM - Health Initiative for Men 604-488-1001 Positive Living Society of BC 604-893-2200 Youth Community Outreach (YouthCo) AIDS Society 604-688-1441

AIRLINES Harbour Air Seaplanes 604-274-1277

ALTERATIONS Simdy’s Fashion Alterations

604-633-0828

Access Healing Centre 604-568-4663 Alternative Health Choices Unlimited for Health & Wellness 604-465-7998 Dr Anita Komonski 604-568-7655 Ingite Smoke Shop 778-786-0977 Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary 604-255-1844 Med Pot Now Society 604-569-2119 MyCannaMeds mycm.ca

APPLIANCES Coast Wholesale Appliances coastappliances.com Red Door Discount Warehouse 604-569-3232

ARTISTS 604-844-3810

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS Axle Alley Dueck Downtown George & Berny’s Repairs Ltd Jim Pattison Hyundai Northshore Jim Pattison Toyota Downtown

604-875-9988 604-675-7900 604-731-8644 604-985-0055 604-682-8881

AUTOMOTIVE SALES & LEASING Dueck Downtown Jim Pattison Cars Unlimited Jim Pattison Hyundai Northshore Jim Pattison Toyota Downtown

604-675-7900 604-924-4542 604-985-0055 604-682-8881

BANKING RBC Royal Bank

royalbank.com

BATHHOUSES Steamworks Vancouver 604-974-0602

BATHROOM Ripples Kitchen & Bath

604-688-2583

BEDDING Bernstein & Gold Interiors Mr Mattress Simmons Mattress Gallery

604-263-0050

604-687-1535 604-255-2113 604-733-0166

EDUCATION & INSTRUCTION

HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIRS

Emily Carr 604-844-3810 Vancouver Elementary School Teachers’ Association 604-873-8378 Vancouver Photo Walks 604-318-1277

Crown Roofing & Drainage 1-877-628-5010 Klondike Contracting Corporation 604-708-3337 maison d’etre design-build inc 604-484-4030

BOAT CRUISES & CHARTERS

ENTERTAINMENT

Waterway House Boats 1-877-WATERWAY

ActorWorks Vancouver 604-723-1776 Ballet British Columbia 604-732-5003 DanceHouse 604-801-6225 Museum of Vancouver 604-736-4431 Playland 604-253-2311 Scotiabank Dance Centre 604-606-6400 Sounds & Furies Productions 604-253-7189 Vancouver Symphony Orchestra 604-876-3434

BUSINESS SUPPLIES & SERVICES Mail Box Plus

604-683-1433

BUTCHERS Tango’s Gourmet Meats 604-681-2121

CAMPGROUNDS & CAMPS Triangle Recreation Camp camptrc.org

CATERING Emelle’s Catering 604-875-6551 Out To Lunch Catering 604-681-7177

CLEANING & MAID SERVICES Clean Sweep Ensuite Paul 604-685-7422 Gary 604-875-1413 The Maids Home Services 604-987-8181

CLINIC Travel Clinic

604-736-9244

EVENT PLANNING & PROMOTIONS Flygirl Productions

604-839-9819

FARMERS’ MARKETS Vancouver Farmers’ Markets 604-879-3276

FESTIVALS & FAIRS Out On Screen 604-844-1615 Queer Arts Festival queerartsfestival.com

CLOTHING - DESIGNER

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Astor & Black Mr Mz Boutique

Jennifer Maier

604-785-0002 604-558-2005

Original Leather Factory Walk This Sway Designs

604-418-6328 604-685-4871

604-366-4386

FLORISTS Coal Harbour Florist + Green Design 604-669-5678 Hanamo Florist 604-685-3649

FUNERAL SERVICES

604-568-7478 604-684-5307

Walkey & Company Funeral Directors 24hrs: 604-738-0006

604-669-5051

FURNITURE

COMPUTER SALES & SERVICES Mac Station Vancouver WhiteWay IT Solutions Ltd

604-732-3470

FITNESS & EXERCISE

COMMUNITY GROUPS & SERVICES Community Based Research Centre QMUNITY West End Seniors’ Network Society

FIREPLACES Vancouver Gas Fireplaces Hot Stone Massage Therapy

CLOTHING - VINTAGE Deluxe Junk Co

604-468-0888

604-298-3770

macstation.com 778-384-1210

CONSTRUCTION

Bernstein & Gold Interiors 604-687-1535 Carriage House 604-245-0187 Instant Bedrooms Manufacturing Inc Yaletown 604-669-2337 Richmond 604-271-4121 Jordans Interiors 604-733-1174

GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES

AaronR Construction 604-318-4390 maison d’etre design-build inc 604-484-4030

east van graphics Spread Media Inc

COSMETIC SERVICES

GROCERY

Carruthers Dermatology Centre Inc 604-714-0222

Safeway

604-568-1206 604-440-8792

Davie St: 604-669-8313 Robson St: 604-683-6155

COUNSELLING

HEALTH

ah-ha! Counselling & Consulting 604-537-0130 Alex Sangha 604-842-7340 Bill Coleman 778-320-4850 Bekar Counselling 778-990-1825 Dragonstone Counselling 604-738-7557 Lehmann Counselling Service 604-614-8121 Preece & Associates Psychological Consulting 604-685-5968 Tricia Antoniuk 778-378-2633 Vilayvanh Sengsouvanh 778-866-5017 Willow Tree Counselling 604-521-3404

Hospital Employees’ Union heu.org The Vancouver Health Show 1-888-999-1761

COURIERS 604-879-6999

BEAUTY CARE David Blue Hair Design

604-255-5097

CLOTHING - GENERAL

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

Emily Carr

604-687-1535

BLINDS Budget Blinds

ACCOUNTANTS

Wega Video

BICYCLES Bernstein & Gold Interiors Jett Grrl Bike Studio

Mail Box Plus

604-683-1433

HEALTH - MEN’S Community Based Research Centre 604-568-7478 Integrative Healing Arts 604-738-1012

HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE Carruthers Dermatology Centre Inc 604-714-0222 Vancouver Lipo Laser 604-904-0888 Yaletown Laser 604-70-SMILE

HEALTHCARE SERVICES Orchard Recovery Vancouver Coastal Health

604-947-0420 604-736-2033

DENTAL SERVICES

HEALTH FOODS & NUTRITION

Aarm Dental Group 604-647-0006 Dr Dean Wershler Inc 604-688-4080 Dr Langston Raymond 604-687-1008 Dr Sam Daher 604-662-3290 Redtree Dental 604-873-3337 Yaletown Laser 604-70-SMILE

Isagenix® LGBT Vancouver 604-340-9837/ 778-855-9957 mygoodness! gluten free 604-876-8878

HOLISTIC HEALTH Integrative Healing Arts Sequoia Thom MA

HOME THEATRE INSTALLATIONS Wallmount Tronics

778-960-4447

604-278-8456 604-736-5956 604-685-5625

KITCHENS Coast Wholesale Appliances coastappliances.com Klondike Contracting Corporation 604-708-3337 Red Door Discount Warehouse 604-569-3232 Ripples Kitchen & Bath 604-879-6999

LAUNDRY SERVICES Laundry Valet

604-568-2020

LAWYERS Bell Alliance 604-873-8723 Dahl & Connors 604-687-8752 Ganapathi & Company 604-689-9222 Harrop, Phillips, Powell & Gray 604-688-8211 Holness Law Group 604-633-4878 Island IP Law 778-886-8626 Law Office of barbara findlay 604-251-4356 Rob Hughes 604-683-4176

LEATHER LIFE East Side Re-Rides Original Leather Factory

604-327-7433 604-298-3770

LIFE COACH Nextstep Communication

next-step.ca

MASSAGE Hot Stone Massage Therapy 604-366-4386 Metropolitan Relaxation Studio 778-997-9642 Skyclad Naked Yoga & Massage 250-813-2939

MASSAGE CERTIFIED/REGISTERED Brian Mount RMT 604-254-4272 Burrard Health Centre Massage Therapy 604-816-0210 Coastal Winds Massage Therapy 604-568-2480 Linda Duncan RMT 604-630-0101 Relaxation Massage Vancouver 604-789-0857 Rick Girardeau RMT 604-345-0248 Sharon Jackson RMT 778-320-5561

MASSAGE - EROTIC A1 Massage 778-828-4683 handsomehands.ca handsomehands.ca Masculine/Muscled/Mature Erotic Massage/Escort 604-719-3433 Sequoia Thom, MA 778-822-4408

MEN’S GROOMING MASC

604-688-4555

MEN’S SERVICES BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (BCSMSSA) 604-682-6482 Men’s Bereavement & Support Group 604-684-5307 xt 112

MORTGAGE Chris Cornborough

604-765-4823

MOTORCYCLES & SCOOTERS East Side Re-Rides

604-327-7433

NATUROPATHY 604-738-1012 778-786-3677

Dr Anita Komonski

ORGANIC FOOD & MARKETS Vancouver Farmer’s Market

604-879-3276

PAINTING Pro Works Painting TLS Painting

604-715-0985 778-995-1665

PET CARE

JEWELLERY Benée Rubin Jewellery Design Gurvin Jewellers Saatchi & Saatchi Fine Jewellery

OPTICAL SERVICES bruce eyewear 604-662-8300 English Bay Eyeworx 604-685-7001

604-568-7655

City-Dog.ca Pet Services 604-608-6959 Kitty Kare 604-813-4239 Latisha’s Pet Care 778-385-7313 The Vancouver Pet Expo 1-800-626-1538

PET STORES Bow Wow Haus Korna Natural Pet Supplies Ltd Pet Habitat Tisol Yaletown Bosley’s Pet Food Plus

604-568-8959

ROOFING

604-566-9974 604-318-1277 778-865-4131 604-254-5869 604-318-1277

604-669-8233 604-669-8233

1-877-628-5010

West End Seniors’ Network Society

604-669-5051

SEX Priape 604-630-2330 The TABOO Naughty but Nice Show 1-800-626-1538

SHOPPING Denman Place Mall

604-684-9254

SKIN CARE Integrative Healing Arts

604-738-1012

SPORTS & RECREATION 604-879-1415

PRINTING east van graphics Mail Box Plus

Adesso Bistro 604-568-9975 Ciao Bella 604-688-5771 Domino’s Pizza dominos.ca Gallery Café & Catering 604-688-2233 Joe’s Grill joesgrill.ca Lift Bar Grill View 604-689-5438 Out To Lunch Catering 604-681-7177 The Park & Bayside Lounge 604-682-1831 Vancouver Alpen Club 604-874-3811

SENIORS GROUPS & SERVICES

PLUMBING Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating

RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS

Crown Roofing & Drainage

PHYSIOTHERAPY & REHAB Andrea Martens Eric Hoppe

Mr Build 604-732-8453 Klondike Contracting Corporation 604-708-3337 maison d’etre design-build inc 604-484-4030

604-904-2008 604-433-2913 tisol.ca

PHOTOGRAPHERS Feeling Photography sweet earth photographics The Shooting Gallery Vancouver Photo Walks

RENOVATIONS & RESTORATIONS

604-568-1206 604-683-1433

The Vancouver Snow Show 1-800-626-1538 University Golf Club 604-224-7799 The Cutting Edges Gay Men’s Hockey Club cuttingedges.com

PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

STORAGE

Baker Street Agency

Freeway Mini-Storage/U-Haul 604-251-2017

604-294-6574

PSYCHICS

STUDIO SPACE

Opal Professional Intuitive

The Dance Centre 604-655-4698

PSYCOTHERAPY Dragonstone Counselling 604-738-7557

604-606-6400

THEATRE ActorWorks Vancouver Bard on the Beach

604-723-1776 604-737-0625

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

TICKET SALES

Adriaan Schipper 604-818-8265 Amalia Liapis 604-618-7000 Annette Thomas 604-805-5572 Becci Dewinetz 604-230-1044 Charlotte Mauricio 604-312-2644 Chris Wendland 778-232-8319 Connie Buna 778-689-7653 David Gering 778-822-0775 David Tung 604-266-1364 Fuller Service Realty 604-724-7964 Ian Eggleton 604-773-1443 Ian Holt 604-506-4264 Ken Chalmers 604-803-4966 Kim Monk 604-740-6615 Klaus Rode 604-760-5856 Linda Shaw 604-787-2062 Lyn Hart 604-724-4278 Phil Warren 604-684-6155 Steve Jamieson 604-307-9167 Susan Cameron 604-720-1214 Tim Hiltz 604-789-1133 Tyler Barrs 604-602-1111 Wayne Blackburn 604-209-4775 West Side Real Estate / Coldwell Banker Premier Realty 604-817-4856

ShowTimeTickets.com 604-688-5000/1-800-480-7469

RELIGIOUS GROUPS & SERVICES Christ Alive Community Church 604-739-7959 Renaissance Christian Church 604-636-4276 St Andrew’s Wesley United Church 604-683-4574 Trinity United Church 604-732-3075

TRANSPORTATION Helijet International 1-800-665-4354

TRAVEL AGENCIES GayTrip.ca

gaytrip.ca

TRAVEL BRITISH COLUMBIA Black Rock Oceanfront Resort 877-762-5011 Harbour Air Seaplanes 604-274-1277

VETERINARIANS Urban Animal Hospital

604-684-2632

WEBSITES Guidemag.com Squirt.org Xtra.ca

guidemag.com squirt.org xtra.ca

WEDDINGS Umbrella Events

604-315-4302

WEIGHT CONTROL Isagenix® LGBT Vancouver Integrative Healing Arts

604-340-9837 604-738-1012

WINE & SPIRIT The Grape Escape Wineworks

604-254-1200

YOGA SpiRe Wellness 604-569-0963 YoGuy Men’s Yoga 778-995-1970 Skyclad Naked Yoga & Massage 250-813-2939

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XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS ›

EMPLOYMENT ›

MERCHANDISE ›

Notices

Adult

Vehicles for sale

MEDICAL MARIHUANA G.A. BEAULIEU COMPASSION SOCIETY Free access to filing for Medical Marihuana. We fill out all your forms with you, file with the government and grow it. All with just one call.

778-808-4442 Phone Hours 8am - 4pm Proudly Gay Owned & Operated. *Currently at Capacity* *Call for Waitlist*

Spiritual services

THE GREAT CANADIAN MALE will be in Vancouver to discover fresh new faces for its adult website.

Must Be 19-50 Email: applications@ thegreatcanadianmale.com Call for info 778-732-0222

SILVER, 97, AUTOMATIC Well-cared for vehicle with low kms for its year. AWD, CD, LX, Power win/doors, tinted windows. Recently serviced & passed Aircare. $4,995 OBO 778-834-6929

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES › Construction

Painting

THOR CONSTRUCTION

REAL ESTATE › Homes for sale SNEAK PEAK PREVIEW! Thursday May 10th 5:30pm -7:30pm 4616 Slocan St., Vancouver.

You’re Invited! Come by for drinks & treats. Don’t miss out! This beautiful character home could be yours.

Candice Charron 604-808-5634 candicecharron.com

Interior/Exterior Renovations/ Restorations Decks Fences Tiling Hardwood floors Electrical Painting Plumbing No job too small Taking pride in our workmanship

604-836-7102/604-728-1973

Animal care Ask about our frequency discounts

Homes for rent

YOU NAME IT Odd Jobs Includes: Roofing, Painting, Yard Work, Household Cleaning and More.

Call Mike at 604-216-0888

IN XTRA’S CLASSIFIEDS Call 604-684-9696 for info classifieds.vancouver@xtra.ca

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

Guidemag.com’s monthly travel section in Xtra ‘s first issue of the month.

DOG COUNTRY SPECIALTY is opening soon! Experienced, professional retail staff & dog groomers needed for new store in The East Village, Vancouver. Competitive salaries and fun, casual work environment. dogcountry@live.ca

General

LIST YOUR RENTALS

TRAVEL ›

WE’RE INTO DOGS...

ARE YOU?

Counselling

Tom Durrie M.A. Registered Clinical Counsellor

Electrical

Effective—Affordable 604-215-0019 www.tomdurrie.ca

JD ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Commercial and residential wiring and lighting. Licensed BC Hydro Certified Power Smart Installer.

Good work, reasonable rates.

Dan 604-218-1809

Cleaners

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To place an ad, call 604-684-9696 or book your line classified at xtra.ca

Upcoming deadlines for Xtra 489 — May 17, 2012

GREAT HONDA CR-V

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Display Advertising booking deadline: Wed, May 9 at 4pm Display Classified booking deadline: Wed, May 9 at 4pm Line Classified booking deadline: Mon, May 14 at noon

26

Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gay & lesbian news

XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

HEALTH & FITNESS â&#x20AC;ş Massage certiďŹ ed

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GUIDE EVENTS 11â&#x20AC;&#x201C;67

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Looking for a long-term relationship with 65+. Must be honest and serious. Manuel 604-582-4345

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XTRA! MAY 3, 2012

27

Pay a little more towards your mortgage each month

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1