ISSUE 10
XAVERIAN THE WEEKLY XAVERIAN
Thursday Mar 29 2012
Volume 120 Issue 20
EDITORIAL STAFF
Thursday, March 20 21,2014 2012 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Volume 121 Issue Issue14 15 Sean McEvoy122 xw.eic@stfx.ca | (902) 870-9431
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news pride in abundance strong leadership makes for an extra colourful pride week at Stfx LAURA ALOISIO | Senior Rporter The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Society is one of the oldest societies at StFX. This week the Xav sat down with Kayleena Schuh who sits on the Students’ Union and is an active member of the LGBTQ community to get the scoop on what the students, faculty and StFX community can expect to see from Pride Week 2014. Contrary to popular belief, the society is not just a club for those who have openly declared being LGBTQ. It is an inclusive group that supports all students. Kayleena explains the thinking behind this approach, “Just as students wouldn’t want to be segregated for being LGBTQ they don’t want to exclude anyone for not being LGBTQ.” This philosophy is paramount to the core value of openness for the society and during Pride Week it is communicated through everything that has and will happen. Kayleena related this to her own experience. “When I came out I thought it was going to be more shocking but everyone was very supportive of me,” she continued, “I was in first year and nobody really knew or if they did know it wasn’t because I was declaring it.” She then spoke of the StFX community; “Walking around campus holding hands with my girlfriend nobody says
anything even if they don’t support it. Occasionally you get a look to make sure what they saw was real but I have always felt safe and a part of the larger StFX community.” On Mar 17 at 12:15, outside Dr. Riley’s office, the pride flag was raised in support of the LGBTQ students here at StFX. Flag raisings are not usually events that spark student interest but during Pride Week the StFX community understood the significance of this simple gesture. As Kayleena explained, “everything doesn’t have to be loud-and-proud all the time.” From 11am-3pm everyday during Pride Week there was and will continue to be an information table set up for everybody to receive information on positive space training opportunities, support groups and other informational packages about LGBTQ. Positive Space training supports a welcoming environment where LGBTQ students can access services with dignity and respect. This is the go-to station for any information you need about the events occurring during Pride Week and is the best opportunity to ask any questions you may have. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing your questions at the open table, ‘The Space’ on the second-floor of the SUB is open during the day
so feel free to stop by anytime to talk to members. It is right across from the Inn so you all know where to find it. Bystander Intervention Training took place Tuesday afternoon from 2pm-5pm. All too often students witness something going on that they know is wrong yet they are unsure of how to properly respond. The goal of this training was to empower students to effectively recognize, intervene, prevent and stop inappropriate comments, actions and behaviors concerning any student’s sexual orientation. This was not just an opportunity to understand the issues that LGBTQ members face but to let everyone know that they have friends everywhere on campus. Stop by the office and they will help you get signed-up so you can be guaranteed a spot. While this week was about raising awareness and educating the community, X-Pride has not forgotten to include activities centered on fun and entertainment. Tuesday night, from 6-10pm, X-Pride hosted a boardgame night in the alumni lounge and additionally hosted an outing on Movie Night on Wednesday in Schwartz 205. The movie was “But I’m A Cheerleader” and was a real hit with the crowd. Thursday night is hosting the ‘loudest’ event with free
Sex Toy Bingo and rainbow drinks at The Inn. The week will come to a more PG-13 close on Friday with a Variety Night from 6:30-10pm, which allows you to support your local entertainers and still make it to the bar in time! Nathaniel Pelley, Megan Labelle and countless others has been working hard throughout the year with Kayleena to bring this event along. The group told The Xaverian that this is the biggest event for the LGBTQ community and support from the general student body is the best way to make Pride Week a success. Nathaniel also explained, “StFX boasts of an extremely supportive campus and it is important to have events that include everyone. It’s a chance for students to show support and for LGBTQ members to thank peers for being supportive.” The society is also giving back by creating a self-sustaining bursary that will be awarded once funding is completed. The award will not be for LGBTQ members exclusively but open to any student. All of the week’s events are open to the entire St. Francis Xavier community so make sure you don’t miss out. Attending any of these events not only supports the work of the society but allows everyone to feel included on campus.
SUSTAINABILITY WEEK AT STFX DELOREY VISIT, campus events made stfx’s eco-focused week a success
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LAURA GRAHAM | Contributor
Sustainable: (adjective) 1. able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources. 2. able to be upheld or defended. This past week at StFX has been an incredibly busy one. Though we may be winding down academically with two weeks left of classes, the campus community squeezes every last opportunity to engage students outside of the classroom. Particularly this week, we’ve been surrounded by St. Patrick’s Day, Pride Week, Presidential Selection Announcement, Academic Advising, Relay for Life, and Sustainability Week. So much
excitement on a smaller campus may seem overwhelming at times, but these sorts of events are what make StFX an invigorating place to be. Through events like these, we are able to sustain the notion that StFX is a community driven to take action. Sustainability Week has been historically hosted by the Students’ Union Environmental Office, and that has been no different this past week! A sustainability pledge wall on 3rd floor SUB kicked us off on Monday, with plenty of people stopping by to write down an action that they plan on taking in an effort to be more environmentally conscious. Though some may say that
these actions rarely materialize, it is important to remember that we have to get people thinking about local and global sustainability issues on some level in some way or another. Tuesday brought a highlight of the week – the Minister of Environment for Nova Scotia, Randy Delorey (and MLA for Antigonish), dedicated his morning to discussing what his role is as Minister of Environment, and how Nova Scotia is striving to become a more sustainable place to live. A collaborative turnout of students, faculty, staff, and community members participated in discussion. Topics included Randy’s journey to politics, the various aspects of EGSPA (En-
vironmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act), and how to keep young people in Nova Scotia (especially surrounding environmental research). For well over two hours, conversation never dwindled. It was inspiring to see how members of the crowd were concerned about topics like land conservation, renewable energy, waste management, fracking, and education of younger generations. The passion of the people in the room is sure to continue beyond the Tuesday morning discussion with Randy and spur further exciting conversation about the protection of the environment and advancCONTINUED ON PAGE 3
NEWS 3
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 14
What do you think about Pride Week Pride week’s buzz AMONG STFX STUDENTS
“I think Pride Week is a nice way of creating equality within our societies because eveyone should be accepted for who they truly are” - Gordon La .
“Pride Week is important because it reinforces the message that everyone needs to be comfortable with, and proud of every aspect of themselves including their sexual orientation” - Kat Hirschfel.
“I think Pride Week encourages equity across the StFX campus and it encourages the promotion of individuality and sexual freedom and liberation.” - Peter Topshee
“I think Pride Week is a wonderful event that allows individuals of all sexual orientations to celebrate what seems to be a never-ending and controversial topic. It is a week of passion, strength, togetherness, and absolutely fabulous outfits.” - Carlee Shaw
“It is a fantastic way for individuals to feel included in the student body and it enables them to have a voice within the larger community.”- Lily Dwyer
“I think Pride Week is imporant because it shows to everybody that the LGBTQ community is loud and proud and has every right to be apart of Canadian society.” - Becca Van Helden
“Pride Week is a good outlet to inform and educate people of various LGBTQ concerns and issues within our community.” - Noel Pritchard
“I think Pride Week is a great week to celebrate the diversity and complexities of the human experience.” - Lisa Gunn
Green gig successful, reuseable mugs given away to students CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
ing ambitious environmental goals that the government currently has in place. Wednesday proved useful for many on and off campus students. The intricate sorting that occurs when disposing of a Sodexo coffee cup (cup is garbage, sleeve is paper recycling, tea bag is compost, lid is plastic recycling) baffles many, and so displays set up in Morrison Hall and the library were very informative. Like held in previous years, the Green Gig was quite successful! An acoustic coffee house with an opportunity to get rid of old clothing never fails. Finally, on Friday, as a thank you to the campus community for their par-
ticipation in Sustainability Week, reusable mugs were given away, along with hot chocolate. An important message to take away from the excitement of a free giveaway is that Sodexo outlets on campus offer an incentive for bringing your own mug. Purchase a hot beverage in your own mug and receive $0.25 off – all the time! Though we may not be directly saving the Leatherback Turtle or reversing the effects of anthropogenic climate change, awareness campaigns like Sustainability Week allow people to start thinking of how they can affect change in their own local communities. Never forget – every day is Earth Day!
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4 NEWS
Thursday, MARCH 20, 2014-The Xaverian
CANADA to HOST WORLD PRIDE FESTIVAL ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LGBTQ CELEBRATION to be held in TOronto june 20-29 JULIA O’HANLEY | Senior Reporter
June 20th -29th 2014 marks the first ever WorldPride Festival in North America, and it is not too far from home. The festival organized by InterPride, an international LGBTQ entity, is held every five years in locations across the globe is used as a resource for celebration, activism, education, and recognition of the history of the evergrowing acceptance of the LGBTQ community around the world. Seen as one of the most progressive and accepting locations for the LGBTQ community, Toronto beat Stockholm in the race for host city, and was thus granted the opportunity to host the world at the nine day festival.
THE XAV IS HIRING: If you’re interested in writing or journalism, applications are available online at xaverian.ca
The festival will be spread across the entire city with parades in the streets, parties in parks, and a warm and comforting environment from LGBTQ supporters from across the globe. The festival- this year being hosted by Pride Toronto- is an extension of the annual Pride activities in cities across the globe each year. Toronto has been actively involved in celebrating diversity and promoting acceptance for members of the LGBTQ community as well as educating all of Toronto of the importance of acceptance and celebration for many years. The festival will include many events both official and
unofficial. Official events include Opening and Closing Ceremonies, a two day Human Rights Conference, among others. Three parades are included among the festival’s official events including the Trans March, Dyke March, and Toronto’s annual Pride Parade. The largest Canadian Pride Parade has made its way down Toronto’s well-known Yonge Street for the past 34 years, and is prepared to open the event to international supporters with this June’s international gathering. As for unofficial events, the festival has something for all age groups. Displays at Toronto museums and art galleries will feature LGBTQ culture during
the festival, drag artists, burlesque performers and dancers will provide entertainment at Toronto’s Village Theatre, and spoken word, performances by singer-songwriters and youth performers will be featured at the Paul Kane Parkette. Youth will be represented at the festival with groups “Fruit Loopz” and the “Black Queer Youth” providing youth programs throughout the festival, offering an opportunity to bring forth their fresh, new ideas to the event. Children’s activities are also being hosted in a more family-friendly environment to spark acceptance and tolerance at a young age. Grammy Award winner Me-
lissa Lethbridge is slated to perform at the LGBTQ celebration this summer. After releasing her track “Uprising of Love” in support of the LGBTQ community in Russia, Melissa was chosen to perform her anthem at the Opening Ceremony of the festival. Amid homophobic accusations toward the city’s mayor Rob Ford in recent months after he was said to have asked for the removal of the Pride flag from City Hall during the Sochi Winter Games, the festival is still set and ready to kick off the city’s busy summer season, proving the support of the LGBTQ community in the Great White North
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OPINIONS 5
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 14
OPINIONS PUTTING THE Q IN LGBTQ WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO QUESTION YOUR SEXUALITY? DEVON GREENE | Staff Writer
What does it really mean to question your sexuality? I pride myself on living the university experience to the fullest. I have engaged in the majority of college-related stereotypes and I have had a great time doing so. One university stereotype I can honestly say I haven’t done is question my sexuality. You see it in movies and hear people joke about it all the time, calling it the “experimental phase” or being “bicurious”. While I think that exploring one’s sexuality is natural and important, it is something that I have never done with my own gender. I don’t mean to say that I haven’t done this because I can say I’m straight with ringing affirmation – I can’t say that – but I have never really categorized the people to whom I am attracted, and the way in which I am attracted to them, in such a way that has made it necessary. The line that divides the genders is becoming more and more blurred as time goes by. Naturally, this means that identifying with a specific sexual ori-
entation isn’t necessarily clear cut either. Does everyone identify with a specific sexual orientation? Should we have to? I have never come out and announced to the world that I am straight. People assume I am straight, and I think I have too, simply because it is still the default for most people to assume so. Looking back over the past few years, I have been attracted to gay and straight men, gay women and straight women, and I can even say that I once met a transgender woman who may well be the most beautiful person I have ever met, inside and out. True, there is a difference between being sexually attracted to someone and appreciating that they are attractive, but I have definitely experienced both with men and women. I’m also not sure that one’s sexual orientation has to end with sex. What about the people you are romantically attracted to on an emotional level? I have never had a sexual relationship with a girl, but I have also never had a truly emo-
tional relationship with guy. I have never experienced love for a guy in the way that we think about loving a life partner. I can, however, say that when I think about the one person with whom I can see myself spending my life, the person who completes me and makes me feel like the real me and the person who is truly perfect in my eyes, is in fact, a girl. It is a feeling much more than friendship and it is stronger than anything I have ever felt for any guy. The fact that she is straight, and supposedly so am I, takes a sexual relationship off the table, but I’m not positive I would want one anyway, despite being clearly in love with this girl. So where does that leave me as far as sexual orientation? Am I bisexual because I am in love with a girl but I am also sexually attracted men? Maybe I’m multisexual or unisexual or maybe there just isn’t a term that fits what I feel. It seems like society lumps people together under the term bisexual with an “anything goes” kind of approach.
The prefix “bi” means two. A sexual attraction to two types of people, men and women, does not cover the variety of gender identities that are becoming more visible as time goes by. What happens if I am in a relationship with someone who is biologically male but identifies with the female gender? What if I am in a relationship with someone who doesn’t really identify with either gender and/or someone who doesn’t have a clearly distinct sex? The line isn’t always clear. I am a person. I love people and I am attracted to people. I don’t feel that the term bisexual really covers everyone I am attracted to. I’m sure other people disagree, but this is the Opinions section, and that is my opinion. I don’t feel like the term bisexual describes me. I don’t feel like any specific term describes me, and I’m okay with that. I am okay with not having a label for my sexual orientation. I am not going to question my sexual orientation; I am just going to let it be whatever it is.
HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA? GIRL CRUSHES: EVERYONE CAN APPRECIATE A FINE LOOKIN’ LADY MARIA RIZZET TO | Columnist
Before tackling the phenomenon of the girl crush and #wcw (woman crush Wednesdays) for this week’s pride issue, I thought it was necessary to collect some quotes from girls on campus. All of these girls would consider themselves straight, but are not in denial of some girly attraction. First, here’s what the ladies had to say! “A girl crush is appreciation of another girl. Whether it’s their looks or just having respect for them. It doesn’t mean you are sexually attracted to them. ” “I don’t want to sleep with her, I just want to look like her.” “It’s great to appreciate beauty in other girls.” “I’ve on and off had girls crushes. Mostly cool is the biggest thing that attracts me- they can do things I could never do. When I drink, I can’t hold my liquor. So when I see a girl pounding back shots and still being composed I’m in awe.” “I always get girl crushes on girls with raspy voices. I love my own and I love when other girls embrace it!” “Envy. If they’re powerful I see them as influential, even if I could never do what they’re doing.” “One word: Beyonce.” “When I get girl crushes and then become friends with the girl it is the ultimate accomplishment for me. Not
hook up with them or anything.” “I love when girls flirt with me. I have no intention on ever being with a girl, but it is a nice fancy to keep in the back of my mind. I usually get girl crushes on lesbians.” “I think girls are amazing. I find I’m attracted to their physical appearance and their personality, it just depends.” “A girl crush is when you admire something about them that you wish you had or you wish you could do.” “I have a girl crush on someone because secretly I want to be with her boyfriend.” “My girl crush is the best. Basically, I just want to be her.” My brief girl crush survey underlines the normality of girl crushes and how reasoning behind them varies. It doesn’t seem as though any girls are hesitant to admit the existence of their girl crush(es), but they most do make a point to enforce the fact a ‘girl crush’ does not necessarily involve sexual attraction. For most, it is more an admiration or infatuation; either you want to be that person or want to be friends with that person. Most articles surfacing on social media take this stance. But, what’s not being addressed and desperately needs to be is why any woman feels the need to tag on ‘not in a sexual way’ or mimic how guys
handle this phenomenon by saying, ‘no homo’ upon declaring a girl crush… bottom line WHO CARES IF THERE IS A LITTLE HOMO! While saying a girl is hilarious or talented is acceptable, once you say a girl is sexy your sexual orientation can be up for debate. I believe this ongoing fear is based in the historic views of sexuality and strictly defined gender roles. Therefore, I will be the first to say there is an extremely good chance I’m staring at the girls working out just as much (or more) than the guys. Big or small, muscly or soft, curvy or skinny, I am perplexed by the female body. I am content with my physique. I am not looking at the girls butt on the elliptical because I want it, I like my own. I am not looking at the girl’s arms lifting free weights because I want them; I’m content with my own. I enjoy looking at these girls because they look damn fine and I appreciate attractive women. You can be attracted to someone without wanting to be them or even be friends with them, sexual attraction is part of being human. A major aspect of girl crushes also overlooked is the actual discussion of girl crushes with others. To avoid the most awkward of conversations, refrain from talking about your girl crushes to guys as much as pos-
sible. Unless the automatic ‘go get her then’ responses don’t offend you. You cannot claim to be the spokesperson of girl crushes and then take back your statements once the idea of actually getting involved with a girl is presented to you as an option. Make sure you’re comfortable enough (or have a witty response ready) when you immediately get asked interrogating questions like ‘Are you a lesbian’ or ‘Well, would you do stuff with her.’ This being said, if you feel like you could be flirting with the line of wanting to be friends with a girl or wanting to be on top of said girl please do not partake in lesbian acts for the viewing pleasure of boys. I don’t care how drunk you are, it is very unbecoming and involving sexual acts with a specific person in order to attract the attention of another person is wrong in itself. Nor will it do absolutely anything to help you become comfortable with your own sexuality. Everyone should work to become more expressive with love, admiration, and attraction. You should not be questioning your sexuality, or be bothered if others do, when you want to compliment someone who’s beautiful by your standards. It just happens. The more you’re able to embrace this yourself, the less explaining you will feel obligated to give others.
6 OPINIONS
Thursday, MARCH 20, 2014-The Xaverian
IS WINTER REALLY OVER? THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING IS MARCH 20TH...BUT THE SIGNS OF SPRING ARE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN ANGELA MACKENZIE | Staff Writer
I remember the first snowfall. The snowflakes came down so gently and the grass was covered in a beautiful white blanket. Winter coats, scarves, hats, and boots became part of a daily routine. It was nice to have snow on the ground for the Christmas holidays but it has since worn out its welcome. The first day of spring is scheduled for Mar 20. Judging by this weather I believe that we won’t be seeing green grass until well into April. I have been doing some research of my own and it
seems to me that Mother Nature cannot make up her mind. Take the next week for example: in the next seven days, spring is supposed to arrive. However, all I see are days with highs of 4 and lows of -8. Someday the rain will come to melt away the snow, but a couple days - or hours – later, more snow will fall ruining whatever the rain tried to melt away. This month alone has been a roller coaster of beautiful sun and freezing blizzards. Frankly, I’m sick of Winter teasing us. One minute it’s starting to go
away; the next it comes back full force as if to say, “Ha! Just kidding, I’m not going anywhere.” I remember last year we had one beautiful day in March. People were wearing shorts and bringing blankets and chairs out to study on the front lawn of the residences. The next day people were walking around with sunburns, or slight tans. The buzz was strong about how it was so nice to finally have a nice day where it wasn’t raining or snowing. This year we haven’t been as lucky. It seems to me that any
day that the wind is not blowing harsh cold into my face is a good day. Mind you there have been some good days in March - well, more like good mornings or afternoons. I have yet to see a full day be beautiful, warm, or free of precipitation. Some days start out beautiful, the sun is out and the air is warm, and then a couple of hours later my hopes and dreams get crushed because a snowflake falls from the sky. When I realized the first day of spring was supposed to happen so soon I became excited.
However, no more snow and no more of me absolutely freezing was not in the agenda. The forecast calls for -4 and 1-3 cm of snow. This winter is dragging out longer than it needs to. Right now it feels like that unwanted friend who is always around but nobody wants to have them present. Winter needs to go. I want my sun, my warm weather, and my ability to wear t-shirts and shorts back. At this point I am almost willing to fly to somewhere exotic in order to avoid these winter blahs.
THE ACTUALITY ABOUT SEXUALITY ANTI-HOMOSEXUAL ARGUMENTS SHOULD BE A THING OF THE PAST. HERE’S WHY. COLTAN THOMPSON | Contributor
The strength with which homosexual relationships are still challenged in the modern world does not cease to amaze me. The sheer veracity and almost obsessive nature in which I have seen homosexual behaviour opposed shocks me mostly due to the lack of rational backing for anti-gay sentiments. We all know how it goes: arguments come largely - and most loudly - from from the religious sector, with authority-based spouting of criticism. I have heard sympathies for religious anti-gay individuals; it has been said that because they accept scripture as truth, they are obliged to accept all of scripture, including its dislike of homosexuality. To say nothing of the fallacy of accepting something as truth on authority alone, I find this argument does not increase my empathy for anti-gay proponents—in fact, it gives me a touch of disgust to think that one’s personal thoughts, based in experience, can be surrendered to what one is told to think. Though there are some who become ardently anti-gay because of religious teachings, I think there are just as many for whom religion has only augmented the anti-gay prejudice that permeates society. The more liberal persons of faith are at least willing to give a farthing for their own thoughts and call anti-gay sentiments in scripture artifacts of the times. Do we still believe in the subjugation of women? Do we refrain from shellfish? Do we agree with slavery? These are found in scripture too. Why then do we insist on upholding old religious biases against homosexuality? Perhaps the religious opinion is more a front for deeper sociological qualms. While we are discussing the religious position, there is another argument anti-gay believers will trot out to justify to themselves
that they are being both orthodox and empathetic to the world. This position says that it is not sinful for you to have homosexual feelings but it it is sinful to act on them. It says that it is not your fault for having homosexual feelings but acting on said feelings is a big no-no. The individual is essentially encouraged to cloister and otherwise suppress homosexual feelings their entire lives. The desire to feel loving intimacy with another human being is to be repressed as though it were as criminal and dangerous to society as the desire to lies, murder, or steal. Why do we censor the former, innocent desire the same way we do the latter, obviously dangerous desires? It comes down to an intuition of the unnatural. Here’s where we really start to get to the substance of it. Many people, religious and non-religious alike, will produce this deceptive doozy: they argue that the same sex union is unnatural and therefore immoral. The bond of love is disqualified by anti-gay proponents without consideration. It is immoral by the sheer physiology of it—male parts are made for female parts and they presume, in their simplicity, that this is all nature has to say on the matter. To their credit, the common pro-gay argument that animals engage in homosexual behaviour, therefore it’s okay for humans to, is faulty because animal homosexuality is limited to isolated or circumstantial cases; animals also commit atrocities like infanticide and cannibalism; and humans do not take moral directives from animals. And yet the fact that we do not take moral directives from animals, from nature, is precisely the point: regardless of what nature has set up biologically—whether it be heterosexual sex or speciespecific cannibalism—the moral sentiment of human beings determines right from wrong. The
question of what is natural, therefore, is irrelevant. The argument that homosexuality puts humanity at a greater risk to AIDS? A moot point. Biological reality does not dictate morality. Paradoxically, though humans are natural, we are capable of all kinds of ‘unnatural’ activities—whether they be building skyscrapers, going bowling, or gay sex. Closely aligned to the argument that homosexuality is unnatural is the non-argument of those who say homosexuality “doesn’t seem right.” This recourse, I think, is the irrational intuition underpinning many shoddy arguments. Homosexuality has been socially stigmatized for so long that even individuals who haven’t interacted with homosexuals or been preached to of its wickedness will share in the cultural prejudice. I think gay sex acts flash through the minds of these persons when they hear about homosexuality and they are reviled because of how foreign such images are. The imagination of many a prim and proper heterosexual extends little beyond vaginal sex. I speculate that pro-gay heterosexuals tend to be open to other forms of sex in their own lives, while anti-gay heterosexuals tend to be those who see any form of sex that isn’t vaginal as a perversion. Looked at this way, their concern is more about the form of sex than the male-male or female-female nature of gay sex acts: the homosexual engages in “impure”, non-vaginal sex acts, therefore they must be opposed. Homosexual sex doesn’t procreate. This statement is a cause of much anti-gay bias. But ask yourself, does oral sex procreate? Mutual masturbation? These and others are open to the heterosexual also. Would we call these sex forms wrong in a heterosexual context because they don’t procreate? No, the goal of these forms is pleasure, not procreation. Only
the religious and persons with specific tastes refuse the legitimacy of non-vaginal sex. The individual who finds non-vaginal forms of sex distasteful can hardly be blamed for their feelings. But the religious individual claims on an obscure point of faith that pleasure and procreation are not to be divided, therefore any form of nonvaginal sex is perversion. One cannot argue with faith positions. Even a basic understanding of the biology underlying homosexuality ought to unsettle the anti-gay position. Shrewd readers will realize that an explanation of a behaviour is no justification of it, after all, many a psychopathic murderer has brain abnormalities that disposed them to violent behaviour or lack of empathy which, with the help of environment, lead to the act of killing. But homosexuality, unlike the crimes we imprison people for or practices we frown upon like lying, hurts no one. It only threatens social norms whereas the latter behaviours threaten lives—and the basis of a stable society, in the case of lying. It is fact that the default foetus of every human child is female. Only after six weeks does the SRY protein initiate male development from the primordial gonads which are common to all foetuses; in the absence of masculinizing hormones the foetus develops the female sex organs .The process is so beautifully paralleled in men and women that we can even identity which parts of the primordial gonads become which parts of the male and female sex organs: the glans becomes the head of the penis in males and the clitoris in women and the labioscrotal swelling becomes the scrotum in men and the labia majora in women. The sexes aren’t as different as we’d like to believe. Then there are the fascinating deviations from normal sexual development that demonstrate the
complexity of human sexuality which ought to irk heterosexuality-is-the-only-way thinkers. In androgenic insensitivity syndrome, the androgen receptors of agenetic male are unresponsive. It gets better. The individual has testes in the abdomen but in brain and external genitals the individual appears completely female. In adrenogenital syndrome, excessive release of adrenal androgens in a female at birth creates tomboyish tendencies; some of these women have shown significantly greater interest in the same sex. Before the development of therapies to counteract the condition these women could develop into men or women in appearance depending on whether or not the masculine hormones won out. There are other disorders of this nature, many complications involving gender and sexual identity. Such disorders are more evidence of why biology cannot dictate morality— the complexity and fragility of biology defies moral universals. Why would we ever punish ourselves with an anti-gay moral imperative when in reality our biology, sexual orientation, and sexual identity can be so frivolous and ambivalent? All those who favour a polarized view of the human species are encouraged to research further; humans are sexually dimorphic but are one specie sharing endless amounts of similarity between sexes compared to the number of differences. “Obviously the mere existence of homosexuality and transsexualism is a challenge to the mamawawa [men-aremen-and-women-are-women], the assumption that males and females belong to distinct and opposite categories.” In my experience it is individuals with the grossest overestimation of what is male and what is female - think of your grandfather’s generation - that oppose homosexuality the most.
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 14
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Thursday, MARCH 20, 2014-The Xaverian
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 14
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Thursday, MARCH 20, 2014-The Xaverian
Culture GAY, ENGAGED, AND UNDERGRADUATE A StfX student tells us about the perks and difficulties of being in a public relationship on the road to marriage SEAN MCEVOY | Co-Editor-in-Chief
For Morgan Winchester, being in an open relationship with her fiancé Alyssa has been an "overwhelmingly positive" experience, but one that has not come without its difficulties. Dealing with public judgement and homophobia regarding her relationship and own sexuality is something she has faced, going back to when she first came out to her family and close friends. "I was out to family and close friends back home, but I live in a really small town, (Sussex, New Brunswick) so everybody knew." She acknowledges that coming from a small town made it more difficult to come out, as opposed to if she was living in a larger city. "With the town that I'm from I would definitely think that it's harder", she says. "Antigonish is different because there are so many students that it created a skewed view of what it's like in a small town. But the town I'm from it's definitely hard because everybody knows and people are very open about their judgements. There's a lot of very strong religious beliefs in Sussex." "When I came here everybody was really nice and supportive. I felt completely comfortable being out here", she adds.
After meeting Alyssa at StFX, they later decided to go public with their relationship, which was met with shocked reactions from some. "Everybody was kind of surprised because she wasn't out and then when we announced that we were in a relationship that was kind of like her coming out. So everyone was kind of surprised at that but there were no major negative consequences." Winchester says that she was not nervous about the possible repercussions of going public with her girlfriend. "There's certain people that kind of stopped being a part of our lives, kind of just dropped off the way side. But I don't really consider that a loss (laughs)." Recently, the couple made the decision to take the next step in their relationship by becoming engaged. "Alyssa and I we talked about it a lot, about whether or not this was a commitment that we really wanted and that we were both on the same page", says Winchester. "We were both just in the right frame of mind and we just clicked on the right level. We don't have any plans to get married in the immediate future, it was just we wanted to make the commitment and announce to our family and
friends that this was something we were in for the long term." Winchester states that her fiancé has had to deal with some homophobic actions on the part of her professors and people in power positions since the engagement. "My fiancé has dealt with some negative consequences when people have found out. Not her close friends, but her professors are sometimes not supportive. They'll see her engagement ring and ask, and when they find out that I'm female then they react negatively to that." "There was one incident in particular that she dealt with", Winchester continues. "Someone who was an authority figure for a couple of weeks as far as school goes found out and was very very harsh towards her and gave her a lot of flak for things that she didn't deserve. Everybody else in her group realized the same thing and the only thing they could think of would be that (the engagement), but she never really confronted her on it because it's kind of a major thing to call someone out for something like that." Winchester feels that homophobia is still a problem in some cases on the StFX campus. "Overcoming homophobia on
a broad scale is definitely something that's going to take a long time. A lot of the older people who have had prejudices their whole life are definitely a lot less supportive then younger people within the school who tend to be a lot better about it. Sometimes professors or older people aren't willing to open their minds a little bit." "Sometimes it's not necessarily things they say but how they say them", she adds. "There are some professors or adults within the school community who will go out of their way to be inclusive, trying not to be homophobic. Then there are other people who just don't realize that being exclusionist can come off as being homophobic. There's people that the tone they say things in makes you not sure whether or not it's meant as a dig towards you, so it can be uneasy sometimes." When it comes to how StFX can support LGBTQ couples, Winchester believes there is definitely room for improvement. "I can't really speak for other people's experiences, but when people tend to think of LGBTQ rights, they tend to think of Lesbian and Gay but then they ignore everything else. I think general education on things could help a lot of people. Overhearing comments
T.I.T.S. F.M. CFXU’S ANNUAL ‘this is the sound the fox makes’ launches this week at the inn LIAM PROST | CFXU Program Manager
Long before Ylvis yelped their first “pow”, CFXU has made it its continuing mission to elucidate the burgeoning talents and interests among the students and community members of Shenanigonish since its humble beginnings as a pirate radio station in Fraser Hall. On the air-waves, interested programmers blast tunes from electronic bleeps and bloops to country jams about trucks and divorce. The on-air schedule also features spoken word content like the meticulous and passionate Social Justice Radio wherein informed and interested DJ’s can speak their piece. But CFXU is interested in more than just what it can broadcast at 50 watts through the county: a few years ago,
the Fox went digital by selfreleasing a compilation featuring some of their favourite local artists, although at the time it was mostly recordings that were assembled by the staff, and the artists were acts that they liked, not necessarily ones they knew. Over the years this compilation CD became an annual release entitled ‘This is the Sound the Fox Makes,’ of which the vast majority of tracks are recorded and produced in house at CFXU. First years may recognize this as being a welcome addition to this year’s Frosh Kits. With special thanks to former Station Manager John Sloat, CFXU The Fox now has the ability to do professional quality recordings, and as a result,
all of the songs on the CD for the last two years have been almost entirely recorded inhouse, with the remaining tracks being submitted recordings by other local artists. This year that includes 13 tracks, 10 of which were recorded in-studio. Among this roster is the talented local favourite Travis Braschuck, first-year MacIsaac Hall heartthrob Josh Machan, StFX Graduate Laurenn Marchand, and Quiet Parade contributor Meghan Dalton, just to name a few. This year’s compilation will be available for purchase starting on Mar 22, and the Fox is hosting a release party to celebrate. The Golden X Inn will host three talented Nova Scotian bands for a night of awesome
music and quality banter. Opening the night will be Halifax hyphen-heavy two-piece lo-fi garage-pop brother-band Spirit Crumplers. Local supergroup Sleeping Machines will follow with their danceable indie rock and the Halifamous Glory Glory will close out the night debuting a brand new band line-up. Cover is $3, and “This is the Sound The Fox Makes 2014” will be on sale for an even $5. Consider this to be a last hurrah from the people who have provided you with quality tuneage through your car speakers and alarm clock radios all year. It is going to be a quality encounter, and you get to leave with all of the local favourites that you used to wake up to every Saturday af-
sometimes, you just know that people don't understand what they are saying can hurt people." Winchester, as a 4th year biology student, sees Pride as a very important show of support for those who are dealing with homophobic actions and may be struggling with their sexuality. "The visibility is important. I've heard before, 'well straight people don't have straight pride, so why should you have pride for you guys?'. It's like well every other day is pride week for straight people. You're never forgotten about or ignored, you are the default setting. It's nice to see all of the people come out and support it. If I dealt with someone who was homophobic, I know that I would have people there to support me. There's definitely a strong community for that here in Antigonish. It's important just to remind people to take a couple minutes out of their day to think about challenges that other people might face." Despite these challenges, Winchester says that she is more than happy with her relationship and the life she has made in Antigonish. "Where else can you go to a pride event and have Catholic priests and nuns come to it too? Antigonish is a great place for stuff like that."
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The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 14
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Humans of antigonisH: BRE looking at sexual orientation and coming out at university BEN KENT | Contributor
You don’t have to look far to see that sexual orientation has increasingly become a matter of public knowledge. Whether you look towards gay marriage reform in the United States, to the trend of professional athletes coming out, or even to recent Canadian legislature, it does not take long to realize that sexual orientation is not an issue that is going to disappear from the spotlight any time soon. What we forget sometimes, though, is that this isn’t just a public issue — it is also deeply personal. In order to focus on the personal aspect of sexual orientation and breathe a little fresh air on the topic, I sat down with Bre this week to talk about life — and about being gay. The Xav: Do you feel comfortable with your sexual orientation at X? Do you feel like you are accepted? Bre: Yes. You kinda come out and you think people are going to be like, “Whoa — that’s weird.” But they’re really just like, “Cool.” End of conversation. My guy friends were just like, “So wait — does this mean that you are going to check out chicks with us when we go out?” The Xav: And do you? Bre: Haha, yeah, we do that all the
time. The Xav: Did you have to come out to your friends or was it something that you ever really had to talk about? Bre: Well I wasn’t sure if I actually was gay for a while. I came to the conclu-
sion one night when I was really drunk. I just thought, “Whoa — I’m really gay.” So I thought that I had to go and tell all of my friends right then. They were all just like, “Rad.” The Xav: Do you notice a difference between the way you are treated at X and at home? Bre: Yeah. I’m from a really small town, so there’s a difference. People just don’t care here at all. Nobody’s really intense back home, but you can tell that it’s definitely a lot less relaxed. The Xav: Have you ever had any funny reactions from people about your orientation? Bre: Yeah, haha. There was this girl I met on homecoming. She’s on rugby and she asked if I was on rugby too. I just laughed and I was like, “Why, because I’m gay?” Because, you know, there’s totally this whole stereotype that all the girls on the rugby team are gay. Apparently she had no idea I was gay and she actually got really offended and wanted to leave. As she was leaving I was just like, “Watch out there, you might catch the gay,” and we all laughed about it after she left.
The Xav: What do you think about the idea of people coming out? Do think people should have to make their sexual preference public knowledge? Bre: I guess it must still be an issue because people expect it. That’s too bad. The media does it to help kids who feel bad about who they are and I think that’s cool. But when people are just going around everywhere feeling like they have to tell everyone they’re gay, that’s just too intense. Like, calm down, everybody. The Xav: Apparently there’s a Pride Parade in Antigonish. Do you think you would ever participate? Bre: No. That’s not really my thing. I think I’d have to be pretty drunk for that. The Xav: Let’s say there’s someone here at X who feels insecure about their sexual orientation or feels that people won’t accept them. What would you say to that person? Bre: If you feel like people won’t accept you, that thought is probably just in your head. If you hold onto it too long, it will just make you upset. It’s probably not true. Start telling your friends and you’ll see they don’t care. The people who will care aren’t really your friends anyway.
with heightened expectations of what is to come. They do not have to be the best songs on the album; they just have to get the job done. Unfortunately, what follows for SOLIDS just leads to disappointment. SOLIDS reach their emotional peak by the end of the album on “Terminal”. The band sounds tired and burnt out, perhaps from the unrelenting energy of all of the previous tracks, but in a good way. It seems to suit their sound a bit better as they take a step back from their speedy, riff-driven angst on “Traces” or “Cold Hands”. Unfortunately, at this point the listener has forgotten what all the previous songs sound like because they all sound pretty much the same. There are some moments of relative clarity here and there like “Haze Away”, but tracks like “Through The Walls” remind you that you aren’t listening to anything really new, even though it is a catchy song. In this case the vocal line sounds like it could have been lifted verbatim from a track off of Wavves latest album. Even faster tracks like “Cold Hands” or “Not Complaining”, which I would usually be more inclined to, leave you wanting more. All things consid-
ered, the album is okay. It lacks inspiration but it gets the job done. It’s a good enough album, just not a great one. If you are looking for a fun summer album and you have already played Celebration Rock so much that your ears bleed, then you should enjoy Blame Confusion if you can appreciate some brooding fuzziness. That being said, SOLIDS fall short where Japandroids have excelled. Their music makes it apparent that they grew up listening to late-80s Dinosaur Jr. and dug the fuzz-sound, and they have tried to replicate it in a modern context. Unfortuately, if you want fuzziness, I would suggest Ty Segall, and if you want an album for summer, then you can’t go wrong with FIDLAR’s selftitled debut.
solids: blame confusion how solid is the montreal duo’s dine alone debut RORY MACLEOD | Culture Editor
The blogosphere is an interesting place. Not only has it allowed the internet genres dubstep and trap music to flourish, the latter of which was addressed extensively in a previous column, it has also been a receptacle for pre-internet nostalgia. In the Internet Age nearly everything is recycled; the question is who can do it best. The internet adept and the culturally in-tune realize the potential for the rejuvenation of past trends as long as they are re-worked and given a modern veneer. Montreal fuzz-pop duo SOLIDS’ debut album Blame Confusion is an example of this phenomenon. However, have they successfully bridged the gap from past to present? When listening to this album the first comparison that might come to mind would be Japandroids, hailing from Victoria. The two bands share many of the same pop sensibilities, and both blend and bend past and present genres to create what are equally distinctive sounds, which in and of itself is an accomplishment, especially in an internet medium flooded with bands trying to do the same. Before continuing, let it be known that I have never been overly impressed by the creativity or musicianship of Japandriods. That being said, they accomplish their musical goals effectively and deliver their songs efficiently in a concise and palatable package. SOLIDS attempt to do the same, albeit with a little less angst and earnestness. Blame Confusion opens with ambient droning noises, soon overcome by fuzzy distortion and toms rolls that
break into “Over the Sirens”, a catchy driving song that tries to lay the groundwork for the rest of the album. Distorted vocals, fuzzy and persuasive guitar riffs, and moderately sing-alongable choruses set the stage for the following song “Off White.” After only a brief respite in between the two songs, you figure out what you are in for rather quickly as SOLIDS charge into the next track. If you are looking for soaring vocal hooks that you would get from Japandroids that would have you singing your heart out in the shower or using your hairbrush as a mic, then you will be disappointed. However, if you prefer some guitar riffage and juicy distortion like myself, then you may be in luck. Right from the start, the album does not present itself as anything groundbreaking or super progressive. It is, however, fun, fairly catchy, and the first two tracks seem to offer a moderately competent use of tension and release that might even inspire some lighter waving at shows. Unfortunately, the first track is one of the best on the album, and the redeeming breakdown at the end of “Off White” isn’t replicated throughout the rest of the album. At this point you may ask why I am obsessing so much over the first two tracks. Albums such as this, lacking conceptuality or emotional complexity, seemingly on purpose, need to start strongly and intriguingly. In this case the first two tracks are crucial at establishing a precedent for the rest of the album, captivating the listener, and inspiring them to listen to the rest of it,
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Thursday, MARCH 20, 2014-The Xaverian
MUSIC SHAPES: NEW GLASGOW pop-hiphop night graces new glasgow april 19th DEVON GREENE | Staff Writer
It’s not your average theatre show. Glasgow Square presents Pop Hip Hop Night featuring Three Sheet and Ria Mae as part of the Music Shapes New Glasgow music series on April 19. What? Three Sheet is a five member, genre-bending powerhouse with a firm base in hip hop and backed by 100% beatbox percussion . With a highly portable composition of three microphones, a guitar, and a bass, Three Sheet is known for their mind-melting organic sound with no samples, no loops, and no synthesized drums. Why? This collective will tightly rock any stage as though they’ve harnessed all the energy of the earth’s core. Three Sheet’s contagiously energetic live performances are validated with vivid and honest content, both sonically and lyrically. It is because of this reputation that Three Sheet has been so successfully stirring up the East Coast music scene since 2009. In 2010 Three Sheet received New Nova Scotia Artist of the Year and Hip Hop Recording of the Year honours at NSMW, and were ECMA nominees for Hip Hop Recording of the Year. In 2011 the band was voted Halifax’s Best
Band in The Coast’s readers poll and, most recently, they took home awards for Entertainer of the Year and Digital Artist of the Year; they were also nominated for Recording of the Year. Three Sheet are in full swing on the road promoting their brand new album, Sheet Music (June 2011). This fourteen song album was recorded largely live off the floor in Halifax’s coveted recording studio, The Sonic Temple. This was a great experience for Three Sheet as they were able to bring the energy of their live performances to the recording process itself. The second track on Sheet Music, “Stamina”, was selected for a music video shot entirely on an iPhone 4 by director Aram Kouyoumdjian. Who? Three Sheet’s front man and lyrical genius, Expedyte, has collaborated with the likes of Killa Priest (Wutang), Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox), and C-Rayz Walz, to name a few. He efficiently conveys intelligent lyrics in precise and distinct flows. His smooth, charismatic, and addictive delivery makes him one of the most thought-provoking MC’s for today’s audiences. Virtuoso beatboxer EMC is the
sole provider of percussion for the band, making him a pioneer of his craft and a unique addition to a typical band framework. Highly talented, it is hard to tell if this beatboxer is more machine or passionate technician. EMC’s talents are not limited to beatboxing; he also adds well-thought-out socially conscious verses and often raps and beatboxes at the same time! Vanessa Furlong offers soulful versatility as the bands female vocalist and MC. Whether it’s delivering a verse with attitude, adding a jazzy layer to a song, or displaying the power of her voice, she’s got it going on. Guitarist Ryan O’Quinn and bassist Kevin Tilley form the instrumental section of the band. With no constraint formed by genre, this melodic duo melds their creative minds to create a very original musical mix. Therein lies the reason why Three Sheet’s sound can be hard to classify. All the same, Three Sheet contains a mouthwatering sound. Ria Mae has had an outstanding year with the release of her debut full-length album, Under Your Skin, produced by Asif Illyas (MIR). Under Your Skin won the 2012 East Coast Music Award for
Pop Recording of the Year, Ria was a finalist for the 2011 International Mountain Stage New Song Contest, and was the Regional Winner and National Runner-up for the 2012 Canada-wide Radio Star Contest. For her second single, Ria collaborated with hip-hop heavyweight Classified to produce “Leaving Today”. The song debuted on Top 40 radio stations across the country, and Ria worked with director Julian Crick to produce a music video, which has garnered thousands of views from her fans in Canada and the US. A versatile artist, Ria Mae creates slick pop songs with universal themes of longing, love lost, and hearts found. Ria toured with Melissa Ferrick and opened for her dates in the US and in Canada; Ferrick is a Boston-based singer-songwriter with two decades of experience and a growing fan base. From Massachusetts to New York and Nashville, they made one stop in Toronto at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern for the only Canadian date. Back in Halifax, Ria performed a sold-out CD release show and debuted the music video for her first single, the title track, “Un-
der Your Skin”. Music Shapes New Glasgow Concert Series 2014 Line Up: March 29 Celtic Night featuring Fleur Mainville and Cassie & Maggie MacDonald- The Circle:– 8pm April 12 Women’s Blues Night featuring Kim Wempe Band and Full Circle Blues Band Square-8pm April 19 Pop Hip Hop Night featuring Three Sheet and Ria Mae 8pm April 26 Bluegrass Night featuring Alan Jeffries and The Modern Grass- The Celtic Circle-8pm Ticketing info: Regular: $20 (plus applicable fees) advance | $25 at the door Student: $15 (plus applicable fees) advance | $18 at the door Group Discounts (all four shows): 4 for $60 (plus applicable fees) Tickets on sale at celticcircle.ca or glasgowsquare.com or at any TicketPro outlet (MacKinnons Pharmasave in Antigonish)
Chris Frazer on LGBTq life in antigonish Frazer outlines the difficulties faced by lgbtq students and x-pride on and off campus SEAN MCEVOY | Co-Editor-in-Chief
As a member of the LGBTQ community, an X-Pride advisor, and StFX professor, Dr. Chris Frazer has been a pivotal figure for pride week at the university for a decade since his arrival in the community in 2004. Over that time, Frazer has borne witness to many changes in pride week events and its focus. "It's changed some. The first few years the week was focused on a pride march. We haven't had pride marches or pride parades for a couple years now. The events have changed over time. We used to have lit nights (readings of LGBTQ focused literature in a group setting). Some of the stuff has stayed the same. Some things like the flag raising, and themed nights and so on." One notable event that will not be returning in 2014 is Priscilla, the popular drag show which Frazer participated in annually dressed as drag queen alter-ego C. Leah Cruise. "Since I've been here in 2004, it's been a reasonably high profile event on the campus", says Frazer of Pride Week. "It has always gotten fairly good support from societies and the Students' Union. That wasn't always the case prior to 2004, and it was sometimes an uncomfortable thing for StFX prior to then." When asked whether he
believed StFX was a positive space for LGBTQ students, he expressed that it can be a highly subjective experience. "It's all relative. The truth of the matter is it isn't always a safe and inclusive place. It's easier for some than others", said Frazer. "Part of the problem is the institutional structure of the university isn't open to inclusiveness", Frazer adds. "There needs to be representation for queer students on the students' union just as there should be for all marginalized groups, otherwise their concerns are not addressed during an everyday basis. "You get support during pride week, but that can sometimes be it, bordering on tokenism." Frazer also stated that the queer community needs to have fair representation as well at the university administrative levels as well at the students' union. Regarding the inclusion of a LGBTQ councillor next year in the StFX Students' Union, incoming VP Academic Alicia Silliker believes that a conversation definitely needs to happen around the topic. "Obviously student representation is important and we want to ensure that students can feel confident that their concerns are being heard on Council, so this is definitely something that we will
take into consideration when coming into office", said Silliker in a statement to The Xaverian. "As it stands right now, students should have at least two council representatives who they can go to with their concerns: at least one from their academic program and one from their housing area, but if certain groups of students don’t feel that they are being properly represented, it is definitely something that can be discussed more, and something that we will take into account when planning out next year." Other areas of concern for Frazer in regards to the safety of LGBTQ students on campus includes the Golden X Inn which he views as "a mainly heterosexual venue where it can be intimidating to be queer." Frazer also referenced a recent post on the popular Facebook site, 'Spotted at StFX', where an incident was reported in which a lesbian couple were confronted by a security member in response to a public display of affection. The security remember reportedly told the couple that they don't allow "that kind of stuff here". Frazer also acknowledged the lack of options for the gay community when it comes to nightlife at StFX. "There's no queer nightlife in Antigonish, period", said Frazer. Other areas of concern for
Frazer include roommate assignments at the beginning of the school year for LGBTQ students as well as the lack of gender neutral bathrooms on campus. "I've seen many students who feel really intimidated. What do you do if your roommate turns out to be homophobic? What are your options realistically ? If you are coming out as a trans person on campus, where are the gender neutral washrooms? There are none. It can be intimidating. People have different degrees of self confidence with their sexuality." Frazer also notes that it can be difficult in the small town setting of Antigonish of LGBTQ youth, compared to those who live in a larger city such as Halifax. "If you were in Halifax you could go out and go on a date at any number of queer owned places. Reflections, Menz Bar, Venus Envy (sex shop and book store). Halifax also has healthcare professionals who are trained to the needs of the LGBTQ community. So yea there's no question, all those things are lacking in Antigonish. You make your own spaces as much as you can but resources are hard to come by." Frazer states that X-Pride as an organization has not received an increase in its annual funding
of $500 since joining the organization in 2004, with the costs of organizing some events doubling in that time. "We're just volunteers. Everything we do as advisers comes out of our time. The university takes it for granted. It's really frustrating. A few years ago I just quit asking for bigger budgets because the answer was no or just silence. So we raise our money and organize our own events." Despite the difficulties, it is clear that X-Pride and Pride Week is an event that is near and dear to Frazer's heart. "It means an awful lot. It's really a celebration of our presence, our contributions to StFX and the community. It's important to maintain visibility, and to show we make a positive contribution to the community." To those who may be struggling with their sexuality or the process of coming out, Frazer advises getting connected with the X-Pride organization. "If you're connected with X-Pride, that's a major resource, through advising and through counselling. At the end of the day it has to be your own decision(to come out) and how comfortable you are. A person doesn't have to come out, you have to think hard about the circumstances and what the best option is for you."
DISTRACTIONS 13
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 14
DiStractions K BENT: Editor/ Ally
Equality
PRIDE
Love Acceptance Progress Marriage Partner Pride Rainbow Awareness Movement Rights Laugh Fun Education Support
ANTIGONISH xRATED MARCH: The Month of MacDonalds McDonald’s coupons…for all of you Xaverians living off campus, you know what I’m talking about. When I came home from a long day at school and saw that beautiful pamphlet in my porch, let’s just say it was a divine experience. “2 can dine for $9.99”, “buy 1 McFlurry get 1 free”, “2 McGriddles for the price of 1” the list goes on and on. For me, the New Year’s resolution of the gym life is long gone and I’m in a McComa. I’ve gone so many times this month it’s obscene. It’s the time when papers and assignments are building up and pathetic mid term marks are being returned, so naturally greasy fast food is the best way to go. My promise of getting in shape for my trip down south is a distant memory, so it’ll be another vacation of awkwardly hiding from pictures and slipping into the water at a moment’s notice. Don’t feel guilty if you take advantage of these coupons, it’d be a sin not to…right? By: Kurt Brothers
-Man Credited with the first high five was dodgers player Glen Burke, an openly gay baseball player. -Canada was the 4th country in
=The character Dumbledore within the Harry Potter book series was said to be gay by the author JK Rowling
the world to legalize same sex marriages
COLOR-A-PRIDE-FLAG
WHAT THE COLORS SYMBOLIZE RED= Life ORANGE= Healing YELLOW= Sunlight GREEN= Nature BLUE= Harmony VIOLET= Spirit
Quoteable Quotes
It’s a no brainer, if you are not for gay marriage …don’t marry a gay person -Whoopie Goldburg
LGBTQ FUN FACTS
COMIC BY EMMA DYS-ART
“Marriage should be between a spouse and a spouse, not a gender and a gender.” – Hendrik Hertzberg
Do we have to know who is gay and who is straight? Can’t we just love evrybody and judge them by the car they drive? -Ellen Degeneres
SPORTS AND HEALTH
SPORTS & HEALTH red, white, and rainbow
Sex with an x
I interview Natalie Lesco, a stfx athlete and canada rugby player
KINKY SEX: GEt your freaky on
JESSICA POMEROY | Contributor
MIRANDA | Sex Columnist
My name is Jess Pomeroy and I am a second year Business student here at StFX. I started writing for the Xaverian at the beginning of the year hoping to broaden my horizons as a second year student. Many things changed from first to second year, as most second year students can tell you, and one of the biggest changes I went through was my move off campus with three girls I met and grew to like in first year. One of those three buddies, Natalie Lesco, represented our country this summer in England playing for Nations Cup with Rugby Canada. She is also a big part of the rugby program here at StFX, helping bring the team to a National Championship title in 2012 and an AUS Championship title in 2013. Aside from all the accolades she possesses in the athletic department, she also manages a long distance relationship with her girlfriend, who graduated from StFX last year and now calls British Columbia home. When I first came to StFX, Nat was the first person I had ever met who was gay, and instead of being the stereotypical “closet case” or “keep it quiet” person I thought she would be, she just embraced it and cracked jokes about herself whenever things got too serious. Nat is a perfect example of how people should approach and treat the LGBTQ community on campus, so I was lucky to be able to catch up with her this week despite her busy schedule and chat about her experience on tour with Team Canada and her outlook on what it’s like being a LGBTQ student and a student athlete here at StFX. Q: Were you nervous about coming to X without knowing how people would react or if you would be accepted or isolated because of whom you are? A: Coming to X, I had heard through friends and former teammates that X was a really laid-
back environment with a relatively open-minded atmosphere. With this in mind, I assumed that my sexuality was not going to be a determining factor in the way that people treated me, and I was really able to focus my energy on rugby and school. Once I got to X, I realized that being gay was the least of my worries, and with a 70:30 girl to guy ratio, it was actually probably in my favour. All jokes aside, I think that people come to X to feel the essence of a small community and develop close-nit relationships with others. X is a place where there really is no room for hate, especially on such a superficial basis. Q: What is it like being a student athlete at X and being LGBTQ? Do you find the school campus welcoming or intimidating at times? A: In my mind, the LGBTQ population at X is very open and of decent size. I was able to find my way very easily throughout my first year of university, navigating through academics and athletics with the support and guidance from my teammates, especially those who are also gay. The rugby community at X is good at making things very lighthearted, and it was never a matter of being ridiculed or made fun of for liking girls, but rather very much appreciated and respected for confidently “being out”. In a more broad sense, campus does a really good job of making everyone welcome. The ‘positivespace’ initiative is really awesome and serves as a good reminder, for someone like myself, that there are places and people who are there to fall back on when you find yourself struggling. It’s the little things that count. Q: What was it like when you toured with Nations Cup this past summer and represented your country? A: Playing for Canada was an amazing opportunity. It gave me
the chance to develop myself, not only as an athlete, but also on a personal level. Playing a team sport requires sacrificing yourself for the sake of the team in many situations, and you have no choice but to learn how to let go of your ego. The relationships I made were incredible, and my team was diverse in both race and sexuality. I had a female coach and a male trainer who both identified as LGBTQ, and they are two of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. At the international level of sport, sexuality is treated professionally, much like it would be in a work place. On and off the field, it is a factor that is irrelevant. However, sexuality did not go ignored, and many girls found that the team was a safe and nonjudgmental place to express viewpoints, questions, concerns, anything - you name it. Q: Do you think that the sport of rugby is stereotyped as a “lesbian sport”? And why? A: Absolutely. I think that any woman who portrays herself in a more masculine manner is judged in terms of her sexuality. The sport itself requires an immense amount of strength, but that does not necessarily mean big and bulky, and should definitely be recognized for its variation in size, as well as in terms of appearance. Q: What do you think X could improve on to make campus and Antigonish a more positive space? A: I am really impressed with the ability of StFX to keep an open-minded attitude in regards to sexuality. The positivity of the X atmosphere definitely excels further than other universities, which is one of the things that makes it such a special place. My only advice is to keep the positive-space movement growing and lessen the stigma held against the LGBTQ community.
Talking about sex is as taboo enough on its own. However, at the top of the taboo summit is anything that deviates from boring, monotonous, vanilla sex. One part of this large group of sexual deviance is kink. Almost literally meaning the opposite of vanilla sex, the term kink derived from the idea of a bend, or a kink, in one’s sexual natures that differs from the straight-and-narrow sex that so many people accept as the status quo of sexual activity. Kink is a broad category on its own, including BDSM, the use of toys and objects, and fetishes. Many of you have probably applied some form of kink into your sex lives at one time or another, such as spanking, costumes or handcuffs. Kink is a great way of expanding your bedroom repertoire and really understanding your own sexual desire and appetite as well as those of your partner. You can truly discover the limits and boundaries of your sexual relationship, and it’s a great excuse to take a night off from doing it missionary-style. If you enjoy porn on a regular basis, there’s no doubt that you’ve come across the hundreds of way kink can be applied. Leather, bondage, exhibitionism, collars, golden showers, masters and slaves; they’re all there. However there still remains a thick line between watching kinky sex and actually taking part in it. Often what you find arousing in porn you will also find arousing in real life, even though many couples hide these desires from their partners out of shyness or embarrassment. There isn’t one right or wrong way to be aroused, and you deserve to explore your desires and fulfill your sexual appetite to its fullest potential in a safe sexual environment. Talking to your partner about what you want is the simplest and best way to make this happen. In a reciprocal sexual relationship, both partners should be just as concerned
with their partner’s satisfaction as they are their own, and communication is key in achieving so. But let’s get back to the sex part. Kinky sex is hot as hell. Thanks to books like 50 Shades of Grey (not that I recommend it), kinky sex is hitting the mainstream and more people than ever are open to trying new things. So if you and your partner are looking to really jump into the world of kink, here’s a few creative things to try that are a step up from basic handcuffs and sexy nurse costumes. Tie each other up. Throw away the handcuffs and really put those Scouts’ rope skills to use. A great thing about bondage is the control and trust involved between partners, you really need to feel safe when being tied up for it to work sexually. Clothespins. Use your imagination. Bring another person into the equation. It doesn’t necessarily matter what gender, but seeing your partner get another person off and then being able to do it yourself can be a super-erotic activity. It’s like watching live porn, but even better because you can join in. Just make sure that the two of you as a couple are secure enough to handle a third person, because jealousy can be a vicious thing. Become a Dom and Sub for the evening. The rules are simple. Anything the Dom says, the Sub does. Appropriate “punishments” supplied for disobedience. Safe word can be used if necessary. For extra fun, switch the roles the following evening. All in all, kinky sex is a spectrum. You gotta do what feels right for you and your partner in the bedroom, but often testing out those limits can surprise you in a great way. Safely experimenting with kink keeps sex endlessly interesting, and can be a pleasurable bonding experience as a couple. So get out there, talk about kink, watch some porn together, and get freaky!
SPORTS & HEALTH 15
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 14
Sam’s THe man Trailblazer shows courage in one of the toughest sports to be openly homosexual LAURA ALOISIO | Senior Reporter
On Feb 8 of this year at a dinner arranged by public relations guru Howard Bragman, a defensive end for the University of Missouri told the New York Times, “I’m Michael Sam, I’m a football player, and I’m gay.” So why does a college student coming out warrant the attention of the New York Times? Because Michael Sam is a top prospect for the NFL Draft, which starts on May 8, making him the first high profile athlete to be open about his sexuality before turning professional. Michael’s decision not only gained the attention of the NFL, but also of president Barack Obama, who tweeted his support as well as an invitation to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Michael had made the decision the previous August to tell his teammates he was gay and had never been known to hide his relationships on campus. Many of his teammates openly supported him and there was concern by Michael’s manager that the news would leak out before Michael could make a statement. Henry Josey, a running back and teammate at the University of Missouri felt that coming out relieved Michael’s pressure. He explains, “That [pressure] comes with anybody that’s hiding something, so I’m proud that he had the courage to come out...and now to tell the world that he’s gay and he’s comfortable with it.” LGBTQ advocate Ash Beckman defines the anxiety of coming out of the closet as a universal emotion experienced by everyone who is faced with self-disclosure that requires engaging others in a
hard conversation. She says that a child telling a parent they are gay may be just as difficult a conversation as the parent telling the child they are getting divorced because “both are coming out.”
Michael is concerned that his announcement may have hurt his chances to enter the NFL. But Connor Barwin, linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, has a different opinion. Back in 2012 he stated, “...at
Some in the LGBTQ community view this self-disclosure of one’s sexual orientation as a means of emancipation. Many, however, see a cost for this new found feeling of empowerment: the emotional hurt they may cause to their family and friends, the exposure to targeted violence, and the backlash of discrimination. This discrimination is prevalent for Michael Sam. After his announcement, Sam dropped from No. 90 to No. 160 according to CBSSports. com, and while NFLDraftScout.com has him as a third or fourth round pick,
the end of the day guys care about how you play football… if there is a guy who comes out as gay in our locker room and he’s a good football player, people aren’t going to care about that.” For the record, Michael leads the South East Conference in sacks and tackles, was the first unanimous first-team AllAmerican in Missouri history, and was the Associated Press’ defensive player of the year according to outsport.com. Michael can also look for support to this past week’s precedent decision by Major League Soccer (MLS). MLS has
instituted new measures regarding harassment and discrimination which include league office oversight of complaints, adherence to a code of conduct, and sensitivity training regarding gay athletes. This recent development comes on the heels of Robbie Rogers, the 26 year old winger for the LA Galaxy, announcing he is gay. As coincidence has it, Rogers signed with the Galaxy the day after Jason Collins, a centre for the Brooklyn Nets, came out, making him the first professional gay athlete to play in the NBA. Michael Sam has also seized the opportunity to raise awareness in the broader community. At a recent football game in Missouri, fans showed their support by wearing shirts and carrying signs that read “Stand with Sam”. This past month, Michael launched a line of personal merchandise with the words “#Stand With SAM” printed over the LGBT flag. Sam plans on donating proceeds of sales to an at-risk youth centre in St. Louis. The story of Michael Sam leaves us with a few questions. Does a person who self discloses who they really are have a positive impact on society? If Michael is a hero to the LGBT community, shouldn’t everyone that comes out be honoured for their courage as well? As we spend this week celebrating our differences, we should remind ourselves that each of us has our own closet and, as frightening as it is to leave it, we cannot relate and support one another unless we come out from behind the door.
if they can play, then what’s the big deal? A LOOK AT SOME OF THE SUPPORT THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT HAS RECEIVED FROM THE ATHLETIC COMMUNITY AARON THORNELL | Sports & Health Editor
It is no secret that the LGBTQ movement is gaining fervrent support throughout North America and the world. The world of pro sports, which has often been a bit of an old boys club, has slowly been making changes to join the rainbow wave. The athletic community as a whole has been intertwined with the LGBTQ rights and equality movement for some time. The creation of the Gay Games in 1982 gave the opportunity for LGBTQ athletes to openly and proudly compete in a multitude of events. They gained so much support, in fact, that the 1994 Gay Games in New York City actually involved more athletes than the preceeding and following Olympic Games, held in Barcelona and Atlanta. Yet, pro sports, specifically the four major leagues of the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB have been a bit slow out of
the gate. Whether this is due to the macho nature of these sports or the fears that gay athletes may have of being ostracized, to date only one man has ever played in any of these leagues while being openly gay. This occurred ealier this year when Jason Collins played eight minutes for the Brooklyn Nets on February 23rd. One beacon of hope for all those who support the creation of a more LGBTQ-friendly environment in the major leagues has been the You Can Play organization. The group was cofounded by Brian Burke, boisterous acting General Manager of the Calgary Flames, his son Patrick, a scout for the Philadelphi Flyers, Brian Kitts and Glenn Witman. You Can Play was launched in 2012, following the death of Brian Burke’s other son, Brendan, who was gay. Since its inception, the project has received a great deal of
support, mostly from the NHL and greater hockey community. It has also been backed by a number of universities, such as the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Ryerson, and the University of Ottawa, as well as the likes of Macklemore and Fun. While You Can Play may be the most widely recognized group of its kind, there have been a number of groups popping up all over the world who have pledged to eradicate homophobia within the sporting community. Many of these appeared in the lead up to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, due to Russia’s anti-gay laws and propaganda. Hopefully, these groups will carry out their mission till the concept of homophobia in sports becomes a thing of the past. Until then, however, it is comforting to know that groups like You Can Play and events such as the Gay
Games are around, supporting LGBTQ rights in an arena (pun intended) where they are often looked down upon.
You can find out more about You Can Play at their website: http://youcanplayproject.org/
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Thursday, MARCH 20, 2014-The Xaverian