GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine - February 2011

The Other Tyra Drag Race Season 2 Winner

Scissor Sisters

ISSUE 88 • FREEThe Voice of Alberta’s LGBT Community

FEBRUARY 2011

magazine

www.gaycalgary.comCalgary • Edmonton • AlbertaBusiness Directory Community Maps Events Calendar STARTING ON PAGE 17Tourist Information

Reichen Lehmkuhl Life After A-List

Interviews with Emerson Drive

Finger 11

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Publisher: Steve Polyak Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino

Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout:

Rob Diaz-Marino, Steve Polyak

Writers and ContributorsMercedes Allen, Chris Azzopardi, Dallas Barnes,

Dave Brousseau, Sam Casselman, Brandon Chaisson, Jason Clevett, Andrew Collins, Emily Collins, Rob Diaz-Marino, Janine Eva Trotta,

Jack Fertig, Glen Hanson, Joan Hilty, Evan Kayne, Stephen Lock, Allan Neuwirth, Steve Polyak, Pam Rocker, Carey Rutherford, Romeo San Vicente, Ed Sikov, Nick Vivian and the GLBT Community of

Calgary, Edmonton, and Alberta.

PhotographySteve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino,

B&J, Mike Stansberry

VideographySteve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino

PrintersNorth Hill News/Central Web

DistributionCalgary: Gallant Distribution

GayCalgary Staff Edmonton: Clark’s Distribution

Other: Canada Post

Legal Council Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors

Sales & General Inquiries GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine

2136 17th Avenue SW Calgary, AB, Canada

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Office Hours: By appointment ONLY Phone: 403-543-6960

Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685

E-Mail: [email protected]

This Month's CoverReichen Lehmkuhl, Tyra Sanchez (Photo courtesy of OUTtv), Scissor Sisters (Photo by John Wright)

Proud Members of:

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association

International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association

Edmonton Rainbow Business Association

FEBRUARY 20115 No Time better than Drag Time?

Publisher’s Column

8 Beef Dip 2011Puerto Vallarta Mexico

9 Emerson DriveGrande Prairie boys mark 10 years with greatest hits album

10 Shear SexScissor Sisters’ frontman on his second puberty, performing naked and the band’s Lady

13 Life After A-ListReichen Lehmkuhl candidly talks reality TV regrets, DADT and ex Lance Bass’ career copycats

17 Directory and Events24 Dire Straits in Dire Straits after

Censorship Ruling26 2011 Survey Results

Outcomes from the GC&E Magazine Reader Survey

27 Team Edmonton MixerSports and Recreation Mingles with the Public

27 Q Scopes“Trust your instincts, Pisces!”

28 Deep Inside HollywoodA Star is Beyoncé

29 Cocktail Chatter The Pomegranate Cocktail and The Virtue of Pricey Liquor

30 The OutField The beautiful game heads to anti-gay Qatar and Ryan Quinn comes out with The Fall

31 Queeries“I was outed on Facebook”

32 Fundraising Photos33 Dow Hicks

Edmonton Remembers Roost Founder

34 Miami and South BeachOut of Town

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36 When the Devil KnocksA raw and intimate look at Dissociative Identity Disorder

38 Defining Hate Crime40 The Ex-Gay Jesus-Fix-It Perpetual

Emotion Machine42 HIV Edmonton’s Legacy Gala

A Wrap Up to a Fabulous Project

42 Apollo SPYKE! Women’s VolleyballA Women’s Only Event!

43 A Couple of Guys44 Bitter Girl45 Letters to the Editor47 Apollo Boot camp

Boot camp Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

48 Classified Ads50 Hear Me Out

George Michael, Natasha Bedingfield

51 Chelsea Boys

52 Finger Eleven Rock OnwardsVeteran Canadian band hits the road with Life Turns Electric

54 The Other TyraDrag Race winner Tyra Sanchez goes cross country

56 Take Back the Night Art FundraiserEclectic Art Showcase Hopeful to Fund September’s March

57 Queer Eye

Magazine Figures

Monthly Print Quantity: 9,000–11,000 copies

Guaranteed Circulation: 8,500 copies Bonus Circulation: 500–2,500 copies

Readership Readers Per Copy: 4.9 (PMB) Print Readership: >41,650

Avg. Online Circulation: 150,000 readers Estimated Total Readership:

>191,650 readers Frequency: Monthly

Proof of monthly figures are available on request.

Distribution Locations: Calgary: 160, Edmonton: 120

Other Alberta Cities: 15 Other Provinces: 35 United States: 15

Please call us if your establishment would like to become a distribution location.

HistoryOriginally established in January 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM Communications. Name changed to GayCalgary.com in 1998. Independent company as of January 2004. First edition of GayCalgary.com Magazine published November 2003. Name adjusted in November 2006 to GayCalgary and

Edmonton Magazine.

Disclaimer and CopyrightOpinions expressed in this magazine are specific to the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary

staff and contributors.

Those involved in the making of this publication, whether advertisers, contributors, or the subjects of articles or photographs, are not necessarily gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans. This magazine also includes straight

allies and those who are gay friendly.

No part of this publication may be reprinted or modified without the expressed written

permission of the editor or publisher.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. GayCalgary is a registered trademark.

Mar 2011 Print Deadlines

Ad Booking: Thu, Feb 24th

Submission: Mon, Feb 28thIn Circulation: Thu, Mar 3rd

Please contact us immediately if you think you may have missed the

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not only a hassle – it is disrespectful. Many of us plan our time, even when we are out for recreation, and taking us off schedule is not often appreciated.

In the seminar, one of the strongest things that they encouraged was to start and end meetings on time. Start it even if all expected attendees have not arrived yet, because when you hold off, you waste the time of the people who did arrive on time. For those who didn’t, you make them realize that they need to take your schedule seriously.

Ending it on time is just as important. People have other things to do, and going beyond the planned ending time can cause everyone who stays to be late, or force them to skip out on things in progress. Either way, this makes people unhappy.

You may think this doesn’t apply to what happens in the night scene, because patrons are out for fun and have no place they need to be in any rush; that, other than on Sunday, they have the whole next day to recover from a hangover and catch up on sleep.

Wrong. For one, people have jobs that may require them to work over the weekends. At the very least, they plan to be in bed at a certain time, in order to allow themselves to get enough sleep to be functional at work the next day. They’ve probably learned their limits, not wanting to repeat past hellish experiences getting through the day tired or hung over, perhaps even worried that they might get fired for not performing their best.

When you take this control away from them, one of two things happen: they leave on time, whether the event is finished or not, and feel dissatisfied; or they stay until the event finishes, get to bed late, and regret attending the event as they drag themselves around the next day – or worse, lose their job for it.

Who in their right mind would keep coming back for something that is supposed to be fun, but always leaves them feeling bad one way or another? So then, is it really such a surprise that fewer people go out any more?

Another thing that I find fascinating is how things might have gotten to this point. So as an exercise, let’s imagine that there was once a time where all events posted a time, and started exactly on time; a satisfactory number of patrons showed up in time to experience the event. Patrons went home afterwards, having had a great time with no regrets, event organizers accomplished what they set out to do, and the venues were prosperous.

In an imperfect world, there any number of things that could have started this to go off track. Perhaps a VIP was delayed arriving due to unforeseen circumstances, and the organizers opted to wait a few minutes to allow them to arrive; perhaps a critical performer in the show was likewise delayed, and the show could not begin until they were ready; perhaps organizers had not adequately promoted the event and were not seeing the turnout that they had expected, so decided to wait in hopes of latecomers arriving; perhaps the event was not long enough to keep patrons engaged for the venue to prosper, and so it became necessary to implement a strategy to keep patrons there longer. All of these things are innocent enough, and entirely understandable (to be nice, I won’t go into any of the more sordid scenarios that I can think of).

At first, the event is delayed by 5 or 10 minutes out of necessity. The organizers are anxious about this, but they realize it’s not the end of the world, the patrons find a way to keep themselves occupied, the venue perhaps makes a few more sales to pass the time. Nevertheless, the patrons

By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc.

I’ve know about “Drag Time” probably since the first Drag Show I had ever attended. By now I can’t remember exactly if it was at Boyztown or at Detour that I saw this show, but I can tell you for certain it happened a good 15 minutes to half an hour late.

Drag Time is something that a lot of us accept as just a fact of life when it comes to Drag Shows, and sometimes other community events that actually have nothing to do with Drag Queens. Sometimes we can’t even count on an event happening at all, though we can practically always count on it being late when it does.

Steve and I, who often have to run between several events in one night, encounter this all the time. Sometimes we end up missing later events because the earlier ones start late, and that’s not fair. From the results of our 2011 Reader Survey, it appears that we’re not the only ones who are downright sick of this.

Now, I can understand the reasoning behind trying to get people to stay longer in the bar – in most cases they will take the opportunity to drink more. So starting a show late, or keeping the actual starting time vague can, in theory, have its advantages for the venue. However, that doesn’t help when the delaying has gotten so bad that many people have stopped going out at altogether.

In our survey we tried to gauge how readers respond to vague event times by asking, “How do you feel about attending events that don’t list a specific starting time?” While venues may hope people will show up earlier to be safe, it turns out this is only the case for 20% of our respondents. Meanwhile 43% will show up later than the time they guess the event will start, and 37% won’t bother showing up at all.

So we can say, fairly conclusively, that venues aren’t doing themselves any favours by keeping event times vague. Of course, what fascinates me more is the reason why this is the case. I had been pondering this for a little while, but when I recently attended a seminar on effective meetings as part of my day job, something clicked.

Yes, I realize there is a big difference between going to a meeting and going out to a bar or community event. At the very least, the former is formal, while the latter is casual. But we live in Alberta where a lot of people in the LGBT community are business professionals who value our time. If someone is late for a meeting, or monopolizes our time for a considerable amount longer than we had planned, it is

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Editorial

No Time better than Drag Time?Publisher’s Column

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Editorial Contd.

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Favorite Theatre Shows of 20102010 was an entertaining year for Calgary. With dozens of local theatre companies, and multiple productions touring, it can be hard to decide what to...


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and even the performers notice that starting late can be alright, and being busy people not wanting to stand around for an extra 5 to 10 minutes if they can help it, plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes later the next time.

Pretty soon we start seeing the exact same things happening that originally made them late, except now with the acceptable 5 to 10 minutes delay tagged on. So out of necessity once again, the event is delayed 15 to 20 minutes; on the next cycle 25 minutes to half an hour; fairly soon 45 minutes to an hour. Patrons who showed up on time now feel bored, even cheated – they came here to see a show, and instead they’re standing around waiting. It puts them in an unhappy mindset before the show even starts and makes them less likely to enjoy it. Some have already given up and left, others have given up and choose to continue socializing instead of paying attention to the originally scheduled event. Organizers realize there is a limit to how much they can delay, and take measures to keep the delay within tolerance. This pushes them back in the direction of being on time, but not far enough. Every person has their own threshold, so there continues to be patrons who leave unhappy.

The natural thing to do when one is unhappy, is to express that emotion in some way that solves the problem for them individually, or at the very least they seek understanding from others. So those unhappy people start showing up late themselves, or give up coming. By talking to other people about it, others may likewise show up late on their first time, or avoid coming at all. This begins to compound the problem of turnouts, and of the venue prospering, pushing back in the direction of delaying. Venues and organizers may push harder promoting their events and not see the results they were hoping for – sure people are seeing it, but if they are already unhappy with the event, or the organizer, or the venue, an ad isn’t likely to convince them to give it another chance.

This cycle can go on for a long time but, with a loss of entropy it cannot go on forever. As more and more people become unhappy, they stop coming out and find other ways of keeping themselves happy. As viable patrons diminish, the venues begin fighting each other for them, leading to a sometimes poisonous environment that in itself can cause patrons dissatisfaction and drive them away. Soon everything breaks down: venues go out of business and people have to find a new hangout, or fall out of the habit of coming out altogether so that even the surviving venues continue to struggle and suffer.

After some time, people start to feel lonely at home. They may be unhappy with the lack of pretext for social contact with their friends; they are itching to get out of the house, meet new friends or, merely get laid. Someone with the resources to open a new bar recognizes this demand and acts on it. However, the news reaches only a fraction of the people who no longer go out – the rest have grown so isolated from the scene that they have no awareness of it any more.

Things are good for a while. But the community is small, and those same event organizers who haven’t learned their lesson, recognize the success of the new venue, believing this might be the only ingredient they need to complete their winning formula. And so they hold their event at the new venue, delay, cause patrons to feel unhappy again, and watch things spiral downwards.

So, my question is, how can we fix this?The answer, I’m afraid, is with great difficulty. There

is a lot of broken trust that takes time and consistency to repair – time and consistency that organizers and venues may not see as worthwhile in the short run. But here are my recommendations nonetheless.

First, start on time and end on time. Of course, you cannot do this without the logical precursor of first establishing what “on time” is. Always list a starting and ending time in your promotional material, and stick to it! To keep true

to this promise, you may need to make tough decisions and sacrifices. If a performer is late, for instance, find a way to start on time without them. If it’s an honest one-off mistake, you may want to work them in after they do arrive; otherwise, cut them out of it (even if it takes away from the show) so that they learn to respect the schedule. Once they realize they cannot benefit from performing in the show unless they are on time, they have motivation to prepare themselves earlier in future.

When it comes to dealing with turnouts that are below your expectations, remember the old adage, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” (The gay translation might be, “A cock in the hand is worth two in the tush.”) Your first priority is to keep the people that do show up, happy – latecomers be damned. If you keep the audience that you do have happy, they are more likely to keep coming back and bring others the next time, and your crowds will grow (if not, you may need to look at addressing the formula of the show itself). Late comers who turn up during the show will realize they need to plan better next time. Really late comers who arrive after the show has finished, will have a room full of happy people to inform them of what they missed.

If the venue feels that the show is not long enough to keep people there so that they can be successful, a technique often used is to list a “doors open”/”cocktails” time as well as a “show time”. Find some way to make it worthwhile for patrons to show up early, like prizes, food, or other forms of entertainment. Another thing of value to patrons might be a post-show reception after the ending time, where patrons can opt to stay and mingle with the performers – mention it explicitly so that they can plan for it. Do this consistently

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Travel

Beef Dip 2011Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

This year’s 8th annual Beef Dip happened the last week of January in sunny Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with many in attendance from Canada and indeed numerous familiar faces from Alberta.

Photos by Jackson Photografix

The Beef Dip is a week-long holiday outing to share company with bears and admirers in a climate conducive to wearing as little clothing as possible.

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By Jason Clevett

The story of Emerson drive is one of incredible highs – small town Alberta boys who have gone on to success in Nashville including a Grammy award nomination – and heartbreaking lows with the suicide of bass player Patrick Borque, shortly after leaving the band in 2007. It is in celebration of all that they have achieved that the band releases A Decade of Drive on February 8th.

“Ten years have gone by so quick. To look back on it and see the different stages throughout our careers, from moving out of Grande Prairie and attempting to make a mark in Nashville and getting a record deal, releasing songs over the last ten years…I never expected it to get where it is today,” singer Brad Mates told GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine.

“It was just a fun thing when we started this group and obviously a lot of hard work went into it but, it has come around full circle a couple of times for us. The album is about letting our fans know if it wasn’t for some of the clubs we played early on before we had a deal, fans, promoters, everyone who has helped us along the way… It is a thanks to them.”

Mates hopes that their success can inspire other artists to chase their dreams.

“When we first started I can remember a handful of artists that had made an impact in the music industry and opened doors for Canadians to take a step stateside and break into that market. I look at those artists as people who were the helping hand in giving us a better start. Shania Twain was one of them; Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Terri Clarke, these people have made a nice mark for Canadians to look back on in the US and [Canada]. I am proud to

be able to say that now we are one of those groups that other acts are looking at. How did Emerson Drive do it? What steps did they take? It is nice to know that young people are trying to go after their dream. We came from a small town in Northern Alberta. If we can get out of that mould that is so hard to break, there will be a lot of acts that will be able to do the same thing in the future.”

They have also invested in helping to provide opportunities and give back to Grande Prairie.

“For the past five years we have been doing a golf tournament that supports Parkinson’s research. We do a show at the college and have set up a scholarship foundation there. We have raised over $100,000 towards a whole new wing of the college that has a recording studio. We are giving kids an opportunity in Northern Alberta to go into a state of the art recording studio at the college there and have a chance to see that side of the business and experience what it is like to record music. We didn’t have those opportunities when we were growing up there - it was always having to go to Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. I am big on giving back to the community and the people in that area gave us such a good start.”

The band marks the release with an extensive cross-Canada tour. Stops in Alberta include Medicine Hat, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton.

“We have done a lot of shows over the years in Alberta. For people who haven’t seen us before, we put on a high energy show and we want people to enjoy it from the minute they walk through the doors, and want to see another show. We have been known as a road band our whole career; that is where we made our staple, building fans week after week over the past 16 years. Ever since the music was released 10 years ago, to see that build is a pretty exciting and incredible thing. There is not a night that we go on

Emerson DriveGrande Prairie boys mark 10 years with greatest hits album



By Chris Azzopardi

They’ve always been gorgeous, but it took a decade before the Scissor Sisters, with their third album Night Work, became full-on filthy. The romp-pop album, released last year, is done up in cheeky softcore innuendo about “funking” someone, the late-shift grind (literally) and “big” surprises.

Our chat with frontman Jake Shears had many of them – from the conversation that united the band with Lady Gaga for the megastar’s 2011 Monster Ball Tour to the favorite gay icon he wants to meet (Tom Petty?). Shears also talked about the, well, sheer amount of clothing he wears, his wardrobe faux pas and how he defines himself – according to the Urban Dictionary.

GC&E: Your Twitter page says you’ve been in the studio recently. Are the Scissor Sisters recording some new music?

JS: Yeah, I’m in the studio as we speak. We’re writing new music. We’re back in New York for a moment, so we just thought we’d come in and play around and have fun. So yeah, we’re writing, definitely.

GC&E: The wait won’t be four years like it was for Night Work then?

JS: Well, it was just three and a half. (Laughs) But it definitely won’t be that long.

GC&E: So, also in my Twitter finds, I came across a photo of you in a jockstrap.

JS: Oh, great!

GC&E: Why are you always the naked one in the group?JS: I… um… just get hot on stage. That’s the main reason.

(Laughs) I usually don’t get naked onstage, but I get excitable and usually it just feels better. The less I have on, the more I can move around. It’s the reason why Iggy Pop is always ripping his shirt off, so he can move and do his thing.

GC&E: You’re looking beefier than ever, too. Lots of Muscle Milk, huh?

JS: I’ve been drinking a lot of Muscle Milk. I’m preparing for my future as an exercise guru.

GC&E: The music on Night Work is some of the band’s most sexual. Is it true: Does art imitate life?

JS: The album is very much about our lives that we lead and then our fantasy lives that we lead – so a lot of it does imitate life. A lot of it is just imitating the dreams going on in my brain. But it’s a very sexy record, and I think we were feeling sexy when we were making it.

GC&E: Your work, as far back as “Filthy/Gorgeous,” has always had a sexy feel to it. How do you explain those constant themes of sexual exploration and liberation in your music?

JS: I think that this is the first record where we’ve really explicitly explored that. So there’s a lot of celebratory stuff, but then there’s a real dark side to it; we love seeing two sides of the same coin. But it was just time for us to take the fringe and the feathers away a bit.

Shear SexScissor Sisters’ frontman on his second puberty, performing naked and the band’s Lady

Photo by John Wright


The other thing is I felt like I sort of crossed over the line from being a kid and a boy, which I felt like I was going to be forever, into being a grown man, which has definitely changed the way that I think about things, the way that I perform and the things that I wear. It’s been like hitting a second puberty.

GC&E: When you look back at your career – going from Brooklyn clubs, kind of struggling to find an audience, and now opening for the biggest superstar in the world – how do you feel about how far you’ve come?

JS: I really look back fondly at the last 10 years. This year, it’s going to be 10 years since our first performance, so I feel very proud – but, at the same time, I also feel unfit. I feel like as a band we have a lot more to say, and I just think this band is going to constantly turn itself on its head.

GC&E: Touring with Lady Gaga as her opening act should offer you the exposure that you haven’t necessarily had in the U.S. You’ve always connected better outside of the States. In fact, some people still think you’re a European band.

JS: Totally – a lot of people do.

GC&E: Why do you think you’ve been able to connect better outside of America?

JS: It’s funny: This last tour we had through America was probably the best American tour we’ve ever done. There’s something so exciting about touring America at this moment for us. I don’t know what it was about this record, but it seemed to make a connection with a real core audience – even more so than the last couple of records. With our American audience, we really found kind of a center and the shows, because of it, were super exciting. They really were some of the most exhilarating shows we’ve had in a long time. I still get really excited about playing in America. We’re so well received in Europe and in all these other places, but playing in America still feels uncharted and super exciting.

GC&E: Did Lady Gaga handpick you for this tour or was it a record-label matchmaking?

JS: Oh god, no, it wasn’t a label thing. It came about in a conversation. We were hanging out at Elton’s White Tie & Tiara Ball (in 2010), and he sat us next to each other ’cause he knew we’d get along and it was high time for us to meet. We were talking about music and she was telling me that she used to come see us play when she was younger and was just really inspired and loved our band a lot. I think she holds us very close to her heart in a lot of ways. And she said, “This might sound really weird, but I think that we’d do really well on tour together.” I just said we’d do it in a heartbeat. And it was a done deal in a week.

GC&E: It’s going to be the gayest show of the year, without question.

JS: (Laughs) It’s also just really nice to do something that comes from something real rather than something set up by record labels. This comes from a real love of one another, and it’s going to be super exciting because we’re going to be playing for tons of people who have no idea who we are. It’s a great platform for us.

GC&E: Both you and Gaga wear some pretty flamboyant clothes. Would you be open to wearing a meat anything?

JS: It depends on where it’s placed. (Long pause) I don’t know what that meant. (Laughs) God knows I’ve walked out on stage in some wonderful and horrendous and hideous things. My husband was going through pictures recently and we came across, god, this one picture. You just look back on some shit that you wear and it doesn’t seem that long ago, but then you look at the picture and you’re like, “Oh my god, I can’t believe that I wore that horrible patchwork shirt with big bell-bottom trousers.” But I’m not a vain person, and I’m not afraid to

look like a fool.

GC&E: Aside from Lady Gaga, you’ve been able to hang with some cool gay icons, like Dolly Parton, Kylie Minogue and even Jane Fonda. Who are some others that you’d like to chill with?

JS: I mean, since I was a kid Jane Fonda was really somebody I fantasized about meeting in person someday. But that’s a tough question, because I really just like so many – let me ask (band member) Baby Daddy. (Turns away from the phone and says, “Who’s left that I haven’t met that I’m obsessed with?” Baby Daddy: “That you haven’t met?” Shears: “Or that I haven’t stalked?”) He just called it: Tom Petty. Tom Petty is one of my fucking heroes. He’s not as glamorous as Jane Fonda, but –

GC&E: Nor is he a gay icon.JS: He’s not really a gay icon, I guess. But he is for me. I

just grew up listening to his music and I’ve just always been a massive fan. My tastes really run the gamut; I’ve got real obsessions and influences and inspirations that I think people couldn’t really predict.

GC&E: You never liked when people would refer to the Scissor Sisters as a “gay band.” Do you feel like you’ve been able to shake that label over the years?

JS: With this last record we sort of shook it in a way, and then figured out how to wear it. I think it was always really frustrating for me in a lot of ways just because I always felt like being called a “gay band” was a categorization that put us in a second tier, like we were a second-rate creation. But our songwriting and our performances can stand up to anybody

Photo by David Sherry

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else’s, and can stand up next to the best – and labeling it with our sexual preference above all else is demeaning.

However, on the other hand, we are a gay band and there are three gay men and a woman, who might as well be a gay man, and that’s shaped our aesthetic, it’s shaped who we are, it’s part of what we sing about, it’s part of the sexuality we express. There are two sides to it, and I think that we are less insecure about it.

GC&E: In the Urban Dictionary, Jake Shears is defined as the “hot lead singer of the band Scissor Sisters… gay and fabulous… known for taking his clothes off or having them taken off… pretty and funny… his abs are very lickable.”

JS: Oh, that’s good. I like that definition.

GC&E: If you wrote your own entry, what would you write?JS: God. That’s a tough question. Rock music fanatic. Horror

lover – not “whore” lover. Video gamer. Exuberant and sexual. Former elf.

I grew up always feeling very puckish, like A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I always felt like kind of a very energetic mischievous elf, but I don’t know if that’s really applicable anymore. But that’s how I’d describe myself. I love that I’m in the Urban Dictionary; that’s exciting!

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Continued

Photo by David Sherry

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By Chris Azzopardi

Some people had a hard time sitting through The A-List: New York, Logo’s tawdry teledoc about a gay gaggle that got eye-roll reactions from viewers who couldn’t completely look away. Imagine starring in it.

Reichen Lehmkuhl, who became the show’s punching bag for nasty names, looks back with regret that you didn’t see him like you should have. But he’s learned to get on with his life and focus his attention on the future – one that includes a film based on his first book (a follow-up to 2006’s Here’s What We’ll Say: Growing Up, Coming Out, and the U.S. Air Force is in the works) and exploring other avenues of his bottomless ambition as a political activist, model, musician and jeweler (seriously: he has his own line).

In a recent chat with Lehmkuhl, the 37-year-old got personal about his hurt feelings, how the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” affected him, his book-turned-movie, and his take on ex-boyfriend Lance Bass seemingly copying his career.

GC&E: You were called lots of nasty names for your behavior on The A-List: New York. How do you feel about the way Logo cast you?

RL: It hurts. If it didn’t hurt, I think there’d be something wrong with me. I see myself differently. Clearly when I look at my life I see myself being raised in a trailer park and breaking into a successful military career, serving my country and graduating from the Air Force Academy.

Life After A-ListReichen Lehmkuhl candidly talks reality TV regrets, DADT and ex Lance Bass’ career copycats


After getting out and writing a book that sticks up for our entire community and cries out for help from everyone to get rid of a policy that’s going to help a lot of other anti-gay policies fall, to see anyone in the community turn around and call me a douche bag, it just makes me say, “Wow.” I watch A-List with different eyes, I’m sure. I guess if I were watching the show from those people’s eyes, maybe I would think I was a douche bag, too.

GC&E: How is it balancing serious stances on issues like DADT and then doing a reality show like A-List?

RL: (Laughs) It’s really hard, because with a show like A-List the cameras are on us for five months – 3,600 hours over the summer just of me – and you probably saw, over 10 episodes, maybe three hours. Imagine what they can do.

I tell people, “Don’t talk to me about editing until you’ve done a reality TV show, because you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Out of 3,600 hours, you take three hours of that and you make a person whatever you want them to be. A show like A-List doesn’t want to show anything that’s boring and not what people are tuning in for. They want the things that are sensationalized, and we understand. We signed up for this and we understand what they’re going to do. I wish I could just tell people, “That’s not the way it is.” But you look even more stupid sticking up for yourself, so I’ve learned to just let it go.

GC&E: You said you’re surprised by some of the reactions, but you also said you knew what you were getting into. Do you have regrets about doing the show? Would you do a second season?

RL: Umm... I don’t know. They haven’t even said yet if there will be a second season, so we haven’t really thought about it yet. I think that there are definitely some regrets. There are moments when I think, “Wow, we shouldn’t have even given them that.” A show can make you look like you’re hitting on someone in a club, but the editing doesn’t let you see that it’s your friend of 13 years. (Laughs) Suddenly, you’re hitting on someone in the club because you’re having a conversation and saying it’s too bad someone’s leaving the next day. That’s terrible, and it’s hard.

Even doing my song (“Up to the Sky,” a DADT protest tune), the show showed the one moment where I really screwed up, and anyone who’s a singer screws up. They took that and ran it over and over and over, and it ruined any credibility that I had to sing or to have a song or to try to do something good. You see the tragic part, and that’s it.

Had I known it was going to be so negative, I wouldn’t have done any of that on camera. I would’ve kept it as a very private part of my life and just released a song on my own, because now a lot of people won’t even download the song. They’re judging it based on what they saw on the TV show.

GC&E: Would you like to continue to pursue music?RL: Um, yeah. I think I’d love to record more songs. I play the

guitar all the time. I’ve been playing the guitar since I was 7, but the show makes it look like I am 7. (Laughs) If I did record more songs, I would never ever do it on the show. It was a humiliating experience for me when I set out for it to be really great project from the heart and to make a difference.

GC&E: Do you look online for buzz about you?RL: I used to. I used to care, and after a few years you realize

it doesn’t matter and that it’s just a handful of people who are negative that are actually drawn to those kinds of blogs and websites. The majority of people are normal.

GC&E: As someone personally affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” how did you feel when you heard it was repealed?

RL: There are no words to describe how I felt. It was 3:30 on the East Coast on Dec. 18, and I’ll never forget it: I had a few friends over here, we were watching C-SPAN like it was the Super Bowl.

Interview


The verdict really lit a new fire under me for the integration of LGBTQ people in the military, because now we have ground to stand on to get this done, and I feel like it’s just the beginning of integration. Now it’s really up to our community to really watch like hawks these people who are integrating the military and to make sure they do it correctly; if they do it too slowly, if they do it right and if they don’t enforce it the way it should be enforced, we need to watch for that. We really need to be careful not to say, “Oh, that’s all done,” and wash our hands of it.

GC&E: If this repeal had taken place while you were serving in the military, how do you think it would’ve affected you?

RL: Oh man – at this point, if I were still in, I would be so anxious about when I could come out, and I think I would probably be leading the barrage to get every service-member who is gay to come out now. The more people who come out, the bigger problem they have with keeping us in.

There’s an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 LGBT troops serving right now, and that’s just people who’ve admitted it on survey forms. If all those people came out, it would send really big waves through the squadrons and it would just normalize everything. It would say, “Hey, we’re here, everything’s cool. I’m the same guy you’ve known, but if you ask what I did this past weekend you’re going to hear the truth rather than a lie.”

I really wish I could go back in right now. I don’t know if it was a moment of insanity or a moment of nostalgia, but I thought, “I wonder if I could investigate what it would be like for me to go back into the military and serve again.” But then I thought I would be a captain still, because I got out as a captain, and I would be 10 years older than all the other captains. That might be a little weird, but the thought’s crossed my mind.

GC&E: Regarding Obama, you’ve said he’s failed you. Does the repeal of DADT restore your faith in him?

RL: No, because he didn’t do anything to make it happen. And the thing is, when President Obama had his justice department appeal the decision of the court ruling to end the ban, which he was under no obligation to do, he risked having this policy maybe another two years, maybe another six years if we didn’t get it passed just now.

If there wasn’t so much hype from everybody who was screaming – from me to all my friends on Twitter to all these huge organizations that we’ve spent entirely too much money to support because of this crap and this horrible ban – and if that hadn’t happened in the lame-duck session, we would be screwed.

So yeah, I still have no faith in him, because he brought us to that point. I hear all these excuses being made for him, but I’m not going to apologize for him because I’m a Democrat.

GC&E: Your book’s being turned into a film, and names like Chace Crawford and Taylor Lautner are allegedly being considered for the lead. Who would you want to play you?

RL: You know what, it’s not my call. I want whomever the casting director says should play me. Those are names that were on the shortlist and that are on a list, and there are a lot of other great names –

GC&E: Like who?RL: Well, that’s the thing. That’s not something I’m going

to talk about yet, because it’s pointless. I’m not going to give names of people who aren’t even going to be involved in the project.

GC&E: My vote’s for Taylor Lautner. He has your abs.RL: (Laughs) It would be interesting. All the people that

casting has lined up are great actors or up-and-coming actors who I would love to see play a gay role.

GC&E: Whomever plays you, it must just be cool to have a movie made about your life.

RL: I don’t even think about it being made about my life. The main character is not named Reichen, it’s not like that. It’s a story based on my life, and the lead of the movie is going to represent what happened to every gay cadet that was in the Air Force Academy.

GC&E: I’m wondering how you feel about certain people also making movies about their lives. And, you know, taking over a role that was once yours in a play called My Big Gay Italian Wedding.

RL: (Coyly laughing) Um. You know, I don’t even care. I just don’t care. I hear chatter, and I wish Lance very well.

GC&E: Will you see his movie when it comes out?RL: (Laughs) Maybe if I’m invited I’ll go see it. I mean, I’m not

against it. I have no ill will toward him.

GC&E: But didn’t you at one point?RL: I think when people break up they break up for a reason.

Usually those reasons are confined to personal space, and we were in a more public situation – so things got out and made it look like more than it was. Our relationship was a couple of months, and it was so long ago. A-List made it look like we just dated; it’s ridiculous. That’s ancient history.


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Directory & Events

1 Calgary Outlink --------- Community Groups2 Aids Calgary ------------ Community Groups3 Backlot ----------------------- Bars and Clubs4 Calgary Eagle Inc. ----------- Bars and Clubs5 Texas Lounge ---------------- Bars and Clubs6 Goliath’s ------------------------- Bathhouses

9 FAB --------------------------- Bars and Clubs13 Westways Guest House --- Accommodations16 Priape Calgary ----------------- Retail Stores24 Courtney Aarbo ---------------------- Services33 Twisted Element ------------- Bars and Clubs34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre ------------ Theatre

35 One Yellow Rabbit ------------------- Theatre36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects ------- Theatre37 Pumphouse Theatre----------------- Theatre41 La Fleur ------------------------- Retail Stores43 Lisa Heinricks ---------Theatre and Fine Arts55 Marquee Room -------------- Bars and Clubs

58 Theatre Junction -------------------- Theatre59 Village Bistro & Lounge ---------Restaurant60 Club Sapien ------------------ Bars and Clubs 61 Holidays on the Hill ------------ Retail Stores

CALGARY Accommodations

13 Westways Guest House -------------------✰216 - 25th Avenue SW 403-229-1758 1-866-846-7038 [email protected] www.gaywestways.com

Bars & Clubs3 Backlot ---------------------------------- ✰

209 - 10th Ave SW 403-265-5211 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close

4 Calgary Eagle Inc. ---------------------- ✰ 424a - 8th Ave SE 403-263-5847 http://www.calgaryeagle.com Open Wed-Sun, 5pm-close Leather/Denim/Fetish bar.

Club Paradiso1413 - 9th Ave SE, upstairs 403-265-5739 www.villagecantina.ca Carly’s Angels on Sat. Billy Schmidt’s “Sounds of Sinatra” on Fri. and varied entertainment on Thurs. Please call for details.

60 Club Sapien ----------------------------- ✰ 1140 10th Ave SW 403-457-4464 http://www.clubsapien.ca Dance club & restaurant.

55 Marquee Room ----------------------------✰612 - 8th Avenue SW www.marqueeroom.com Alternative night every Wednesday.

9 FAB (formerly Money Pennies) -------- ✰1742 - 10th Ave SW 403-263-7411 www.fab-bar.com Closed Mondays. Bar and restaurant.

5 Texas Lounge ------------------------------✰308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 www.goliaths.ca Open 7 days a week, 11am-close

33 Twisted Element ---------------------------✰1006 - 11th Ave SW 403-802-0230 www.twistedelement.ca Dance Club and Lounge.

Bathhouses/Saunas6 Goliaths ------------------------------------✰308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 www.goliaths.ca Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

DOWNTOWN CALGARY

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Directory & Events

Community Groups2 AIDS Calgary --------------------------- ✰110, 1603 10th Avenue SW 403-508-2500 [email protected] www.aidscalgary.org

Alberta Society for Kink403-398-9968 [email protected] http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/ group.albertasocietyforkink

Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sportswww.apollocalgary.com www.myapollo.com A volunteer operated, non-profit organization serving primarily members of the LGBT communities but open to all members of all communities. Primary focus is to provide members with well-organized and fun sporting events and other activities.

• Western Cup 29www.westerncup.com North America’s largest LGBT sporting competition with over 400 athletes in up to seven different sports.

• Badminton (Absolutely Smashing)St. Martha School (6020 - 4 Avenue NE) [email protected] Per session: $4 for Apollo member, $5 for non-members. Season’s pass $75

• Boot CampPlatoon FX, 1351 Aviation Park NE [email protected] 8 classes (one per week) for only $50.This is a 50% saving for Apollo members only.

• Bowling (Rainbow Riders League)Let’s Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE) [email protected] Nightly - $17.00/night ($12.50 for lineage; $4.50 in prize money) and shoe rental is $3.00.

• [email protected] Will return in September 2010. Sign up at myapollo.org to receive updates.

• [email protected] Occasional rounds will occur during the summer of 2010 depending on weather and leaders. Sign up at myapollo.org to receive updates.

• Lawn BowlingInglewood Lawn Bowling Club 1235 8th Avenue SE [email protected]

• Outdoor Pursuits [email protected] If it’s done outdoors, we do it. Volunteer led events all summer and winter. Hiking, camping, biking, skiing, snow shoeing, etc. Sign up at myapollo.org to get updates on the sport you like. We’re always looking for people to lead events.

• Running (Calgary Frontrunners) YMCA Eau Claire (4th St, 1st Ave SW) [email protected]

East Doors (directly off the Bow river pathway). Distances vary from 8 km - 15 km. Runners from 6 minutes/mile to 9+ minute miles.

• Slow [email protected] Will be running Friday nights during the summer of 2010, location to be determined. Sign up at myapollo.org to receive immediate notice of start date and location.

• Squash Mount Royal University Recreation [email protected] All skill levels welcome.

• Tennis U of C Courts [email protected] All skill levels welcome. Drop in. Look for Randall.

• Volleyball (Beach) Volleydome (2825 24 Avenue NW) [email protected]

Calgary EventsMondays

Squash ------------------------- 8:15-9:45pmSee Apollo Calgary Oct18

ASK Meet and Greet --------------- 7-9:30pmBonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE)

Inside Out Youth Group --------------- 7-9pmSee 1 Calgary Outlink

Yoga (A) ---------------------------- 6-7:30pmSee Apollo Calgary Sep27Dec6

Yoga (B) ------------------------ 7:45-9:15pmSee Apollo Calgary Sep27Dec6

Tuesdays

Calgary Networking Club ------------- 5-7pmSee 1 Calgary Outlink 1st Tues

Boot Camp (A) --------------------- 7-8:30pmSee Apollo Calgary Sep7

Between Men -------------------------- 7-9pmSee 1 Calgary Outlink 2nd, 4th

Rehearsals ------------------------- 7-9:30pmSee Calgary Men’s Chorus Jun

Karaoke ----------------------------- 8pm-1amAt 5 Texas Lounge

Fetish Slosh --------------------------- EveningAt 3 Backlot 2nd

Alcoholics Anonymous -------------------- 8pmHillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

Lawn Bowling -------------------------- 6-9pmSee Apollo

Wednesdays

Communion Service ----------------- 12:10pmSee Knox United Church

Women’s Healing Circle -------------- 1:30pmSee AIDS Calgary

Wing Night ----------------------------- All DayAt 9 FAB

Free Pool ------------------------------ All DayAt 4 Calgary Eagle with Prime Timers Calgary

Badminton ----------------------------- 7-9pmSee Apollo Calgary Sep8Dec15

Bowling ----------------------------------- 7pmSee Apollo Calgary Sep1Mar30

Mosaic Youth Group ------------------ 7-10pm Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW)

Thursdays

Lesbian Seniors --------------------------- 2pmKerby Center, Sunshine Room 3rd 1133 7th Ave SW

Swim Practice -------------------------- 6-7pmSee Different Strokes Sep9Dec

Fake Mustache Show ---------- 7:30-9:45pmSee Miscellaneous Youth Network 1st


Fridays

Leather Night ------------------------- EveningAt 4 Calgary Eagle

BBQ Fundraiser ------------------------ 5-9pmBy ISCCA at 3 Backlot

Illusions ------------------------------- 7-10pmSee 1 Calgary Outlink 1st

Womynspace --------------------------- 7-9pmSee 1 Calgary Outlink 2nd

New Directions ------------------------- 7-9pmSee 1 Calgary Outlink 3rd

Beach Volleyball ---------------- 7:30-9:30pmSee Apollo

Heading Out ---------------------- 8pm-10pmSee 1 Calgary Outlink 4th


Saturdays

Running ----------------------------------- 9amSee Apollo

Tennis ----------------------------------- 10amBy Apollo

Coffee------------------------------------ 10amSee Prime Timers Calgary

Wing Night ----------------------------- All DayAt 9 FAB

Karaoke ----------------------------- 8pm-1amAt 5 Texas Lounge


Tuned Out Music Trivia --------------- EveningAt 9 FAB 1st, 3rd

Fundraising Shooters ----------------- EveningBy ISCCA at 5 Texas Lounge

Sundays

Worship Time --------------------------- 10amSee Deer Park United Church

Worship ----------------------------- 10:30amSee Scarboro United Church

Boot Camp (B) --------------- 10:30am-12pmSee Apollo Calgary Sep12

Worship Services ------------------------ 11amSee Knox United Church

BBQ Social Sundays ---------------------- 2pmAt 4 Calgary Eagle

Movie Night ------------------------ 2pm-6pmBy ISCCA at 5 Texas Lounge Nov7Feb13

Church Service ---------------------------- 4pmSee Rainbow Community Church

Swim Practice -------------------------- 5-6pmSee Different Strokes Sep9Dec

Sunday Socials --------------------- AfternoonAt 4 Calgary Eagle

Free Pool ------------------------------ All DayAt 4 Calgary Eagle

Calgary Networking Club ------------- 5-7pmBy Calgary Outlink At Ming (520 - 17th Ave SW)

Saturday, February 5th

Silent Auction -------------------------- 8pmBy Pride Calgary Art Central (100 7th Ave SW)


Gender Bender --------------------------- 8pmBy Students Association of MRU Liberty Lounge, MRU

Friday, February 11th

Divas to Disney ----------------------- EveningAt 5 Texas Lounge

Valentines Day Party --------------------- 6pmAt 59 Village Bistro

Sunday, February 20th

Straight to Diva ----------------------- 9pmAt 4 Calgary Eagle

Satuday, February 26th

Sleigh Ride -------------------------- 12pmBy ARGRA

Saturday, March 26th

Monthly Dance ------------------------ 8pmBy ARGRA Hillhurst-Sunyside Community Hall 1320 5th Avenue NWLegend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range/Future), = Sponsored Event

Calgary Contd.


Directory & Events

• Volleyball (Rec + Int/Comp) [email protected] Both Leagues will return in September 2010. Sign up at myapollo.org to receive updates.

• YogaWorld Tree Studio (812 Edmonton Trail NE)Robin: 403-618-9642 [email protected] $120 (10 sessions); $14 Drop-ins open to all levels. Apollo membership is required.

Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) www.argra.org

• Monthly Dances -----------------------------Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association 1320 - 5th Avenue NW

Artists for the Quality of Life403-890-1261 www.afqol.com

Calgary Gay [email protected] http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca Peer support group for gay, bisexual and questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month.

Calgary Men’s Chorushttp://www.calgarymenschorus.org

• RehearsalsTemple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW

Calgary Sexual Health Centre --------- ✰304, 301 14th Street NW 403-283-5580 http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca A pro-choice organization that believes all people have the right and ability to make their own choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.

1 Calgary Outlink ----------------------------✰#4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW 403-234-8973 http://www.calgaryoutlink.com Formerly know as the Gay And Lesbian Community Services Association (GLCSA).

• Peer Support and Crisis Line 1-877-OUT-IS-OK (1-877-688-4765) Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and their family and friends, or anyone questioning their sexuality.

• Between Men and Between Men OnlinePeer support, sexual health education for gay or bisexual men, as well as those who may be uncertain or questioning their sexuality.

• Calgary Networking ClubMing, 520 - 17th Ave SW The networking meetings are open to all individuals who would like to promote their businesses or who would like to meet new people - no business affiliation is necessary.

• Heading OutPeer group for men who are looking for an alternative social activity to the bar. Activities vary and are fun and entertaining.

• Illusions CalgarySocial group for Calgary and area transgender community members (cross dressers, transvestites, drag kings and queens). A safe, discrete and

welcoming atmosphere, in which transgendered people can meet others of like mind.

• Inside OutPeer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ ages 15-25. Aims to let youth know they are not alone, and to connect them with their peers. Safe environment with a variety of resources and activities.

• New DirectionsDrop in peer-support group to provide support and resources for individuals who identify as transsexual or inter-sexed.

• SHEQ Soulful Healing Ego QuestTrudy or Krista, 403-585-7437 Workshop for women—a chance to grow and share their experiences related to women’s sexuality. To participate, please call or leave your name and a contact time/number with Calgary Outlink.

• WomynspacePeer social/support group for women providing an evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities.

Calgary Queer Book ClubWeeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)

Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre77 Deerpoint Road SE 403-278-8263 http://www.dpuc.ca

Different Strokeshttp://www.differentstrokescalgary.org

• Swim PracticeSAIT Pool, 1301 - 16th Ave NW No practices on long weekends

Don’t Buy In Projecthttp://www.dontbuyin.ca This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to encourage youth to working towards an inclusive environment in which diversity is embraced in their schools and community.

FairyTales Presentation Society 403-244-1956 http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

• DVD Resource LibraryOver a hundred titles to choose from. Annual membership is $10.

Gay Friends in Calgaryhttp://www.gayfriendsincalgary.ca

Girl [email protected] members.shaw.ca/girlfriends

Girlsgroovehttp://www.girlsgroove.ca

HIV Peer Support Group403-230-5832 [email protected]

ISCCA Social Associationhttp://www.iscca.ca Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. Charity fundraising group..

Knox United Church506 - 4th Street SW 403-269-8382 http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church located in downtown Calgary. A variety of facility

rentals are also available for meetings, events and concerts.

• Worship Services 10:30am in July and August.

Miscellaneous Youth Networkhttp://www.miscyouth.com

• Fake Mustache Quincy’s (609 7th Ave SW) Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. $5 cover. $2 cover under 18. Free for first 10 in drag. Early show 7:30pm, late show 9pm.

• Mosaic Youth Group The Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW) Meets every Wednesday, 7-10pm.

[email protected] Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 and up but all are welcome.

• Coffee NightSecond Cup (2312 - 4th Street SW)

NETWORKS [email protected] A social, cultural, and service organization for the mature minded and “Plus 40” LGBT individuals seeking to meet others at age-appropriate activities within a positive, safe environment.

Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)Sean: 403-695-5791 http://www.pflagcanada.ca A registered charitable organization that provides support, education and resources to parents, families and individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual orientation or gender identity.

Positive Space Committee 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW 403-440-6383 http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace Works to raise awareness and challenge the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize LGBTTQ individuals.

Pride Calgary Planning Committee403-797-6564 www.pridecalgary.ca

Pride Rainbow [email protected] http://www.priderainbowproject.com Youth run project designed to show support for same-sex marriage in Canada and elsewhere. A fabric rainbow banner approximately 5 feet wide - goal is to make it 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order to break the world record.

Primetimers [email protected] http://www.primetimerscalgary.com Designed to foster social interaction for its members through a variety of social, educational and recreational activities. Open to all gay and bisexual men of any age, respects whatever degree of anonymity that each member desires.

• Free Pool4 Calgary Eagle

• Saturday CoffeeMidtown Co-op, 1130 - 11th Ave SW

Queers on Campus --------------------- ✰279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C 403-220-6394 http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of Students and Staff.

• Coffee Night2nd Cup, Kensington

Rainbow Community ChurchHillhurst United, 1227 Kensington Close NW [email protected] http://www.rainbowcommunitychurch.ca The Rainbow Community Church is an all-inclusive church; everyone is welcome.

Rocky Mountain [email protected] http://www.rockymountainbears.com

Safety Under the Rainbowhttp://www.safetyrainbow.ca Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth bullying.

Scarboro United Church134 Scarboro Avenue SW 403-244-1161 www.scarborounited.ab.ca An affirming congregation—the full inclusion of LGBT people is essential to our mission and purpose.

Sharp Foundation403-272-2912 [email protected] http://www.thesharpfoundation.com

Unity BowlingLet’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE) [email protected]

Urban Sex Radio ShowCJSW 90.9 FMhttp://www.cjsw.com Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and around the web.

Western Canada Bigmen and Admirersgroups.yahoo.com/group/ WesternCanadaBigmenGroup/ [email protected]

Vigor Calgary403-255-7004 www.vigorcalgary.ca Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a committee of professionals dedicated to increasing the awareness of gay men’s domestic violence and the services available to them.

“Yeah...What She Said!” Radio ShowCJSW 90.9 FM [email protected]

Restaurants4 Calgary Eagle Inc. --------------------- ✰

See Calgary - Bars and Clubs.

60 Club Sapien ----------------------------- ✰ 1140 10th Ave SW 403-457-4464 http://www.clubsapien.ca

9 FAB (formerly Money Pennies) ------- ✰ See Calgary - Bars and Clubs.

Calgary Contd.


Directory & Events

Halo Steak, Seafood & Wine BarCanyon Meadows Plaza 13226 Macleod Trail SE 403-271-4111 www.halorestaurant.com

59 Village Bistro & Lounge ------------------ 2F, 610 8th Ave SE 403-262-6342 ext 236 M-R: 9am-4pm, F: 9am-5pm, S: 11am-5pm www.villagebistrocalgary.com

Retail Stores Adult Depot ---------------------------- ✰

140, 58th Ave SW 403-258-2777 Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.

61 Holidays on the Hill ----------------------- 210 - 7th Ave SW 403-263-3030 Christmas, Halloween, and much more.

41 La Fleur ------------------------------------103 - 100 7th Avenue SW 403-266-1707 Florist and Flower Shop.

The Naked Leaf----------------------------305 10th Street NW 403-283-3555 http://www.thenakedleaf.ca Organic teas and tea ware.

16 Priape Calgary ------------------------ ✰1322 - 17 Ave SW 403-215-1800 http://www.priape.com

Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies and magazines. Gifts.

Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. See Canada - Retail Stores.

Services & Products Calgary Civil Marriage Centre

403-246-4134 [email protected] Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner for Oaths.

24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors)1138 Kensington Road NW 403-571-5120 http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca GLBT legal services.

Cruiseline403-777-9494 trial code 3500 http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.

DevaDave Salon & Boutique810 Edmonton Trail NE 403-290-1973 Cuts, Colour, Hilights.

Duncan’s Residential Cleaning Jim Duncan: 403-978-6600 Residential cleaning. Free estimates.

Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors)403-461-9195 http://www.lornedoucette.com

Marnie Campbell (Maxwell Realtors)403-479-8619 http://www.marniecampbell.ca

MFM Communications403-543-6970 1-877-543-6970 http://www.mfmcommunications.com Web site hosting and development. Computer hardware and software.

MPs Catering 403-607-8215

SafeWorksFree and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing.

• Calgary Drop-in CentreRoom 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE 403-699-8216 Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm

• Centre of HopeRoom 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE 403-410-1180 Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm

• Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre1213 - 4th Str SW 403-955-6014 Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed

• Safeworks Van403-850-3755 Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am

Theatre & Fine Arts36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects403-294-7402 http://www.ATPlive.com

AXIS Contemporary Art -------------------107, 100 - 7 Ave SW 403-262-3356 [email protected] www.axisart.ca

Fairytales See Calgary - Community Groups.

Jubilations Dinner Theatre Bow Trail and 37th St. SW 403-249-7799 www.jubilations.ca

43 Lisa Heinricks (Artist) ---------------------Art Central, 100 7th Ave SW, lower level http://www.creamydreamy.com

35 One Yellow Rabbit -------------------------Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE 403-299-8888 www.oyr.org

37 Pumphouse Theatre------------------- ✰2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW 403-263-0079 http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca

Stagewest ------------------------------ ✰727 - 42 Avenue SE 403-243-6642 http://www.stagewestcalgary.com

58 Theatre Junction ---------------------- ✰ Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW 403-205-2922

1 Pride Centre ------------ Community Groups3 HIV Network ------------ Community Groups4 Edmonton STD --------- Community Groups

5 The Junction ----------------- Bars and Clubs6 Buddy’s Nite Club ----------- Bars and Clubs7 Down Under Baths -------------- Bathhouses

8 Prism Bar & Grill ------------ Bars and Clubs11 Steamworks --------------------- Bathhouses12 Woody’s ---------------------- Bars and Clubs

13 PLAY Nightclub -------------- Bars and Clubs14 FLASH ------------------------ Bars and Clubs

DOWNTOWN EDMONTON

N7

11 612

34

1

5

14

Calgary Contd.


Directory & Events

[email protected] http://www.theatrejunction.com

34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre ------------------161, 115 - 9 Ave SE 403-221-3708 http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com

EDMONTON Bars & Clubs

6 Buddy’s Nite Club -------------------------✰11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6636

14 FLASH --------------------------------------✰10018 105 Street 780-938-2941 [email protected]

5 The Junction --------------------------- ✰10242 106th St 780-756-5667 http://www.junctionedmonton.com

PLAY Nightclub (closed) ------------------✰10220 103 Street 780-497-7529 [email protected] http://www.playnightclub.ca

Prism Bar & Grill (closed) ------------ ✰10524 101st St 780-990-0038 http://www.prismbar.ca

12 Woody’s ------------------------------------✰11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6557

Bathhouses/Saunas7 Down Under Baths ------------------------✰12224 Jasper Ave 780-482-7960 http://www.gayedmonton.com

11 Steamworks -------------------------------✰11745 Jasper Ave 780-451-5554 http://www.steamworksedmonton.com

Community Groups Alberta Bears

www.beefbearbash.com

Altview-Strathcona County LGBTQ Group #44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB www.altview.ca

Book Worm’s Book Club Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes 10179 - 108 Street [email protected]

Buck Naked Boys Club780-471-6993 http://www.bucknakedboys.ca Naturism club for men—being social while everyone is naked, and it does not include sexual activity. Participants do not need to be gay, only male.

Camp fYrefly7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies Faculty of Education, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5 http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca

Edmonton Pride Festival Society (EPFS)http://www.edmontonpride.ca

Edmonton Prime Timers [email protected] www.primetimersww.org/edmonton

Group of older gay men and their admirers who come from diverse backgrounds but have common social interests. Affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide.

Edmonton Rainbow Business Association3379, 11215 Jasper Ave 780-429-5014 http://www.edmontonrba.org Primary focus is the provision of networking opportunities for LGBT owned or operated and LGBT-friendly businesses in the Edmonton region.

Edmonton Illusions Social Club5 Boots Bar & Grill 780-387-3343 groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions

4 Edmonton STD11111 Jasper Ave

Edmonton Vocal Minority 780-479-2038 [email protected] www.evmchoir.com

3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society --- ✰ 9702 111 Ave NW www.hivedmonton.com

Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rosehttp://www.iscwr.ca

OUTreachUniversity of Alberta, basement of SUB [email protected] http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual, Queer, Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow student group.

1 Pride Centre of Edmonton ------------- ✰95A Street, 111 Ave 780-488-3234 [email protected]

• Community PotluckMain Space – Upstairs [email protected] potluck open to all members of the LGBTQ community. A time to get together, share a meal and meet people from the community.

• Free SchoolMain Space – Upstairs [email protected] Free School provides workshops on a variety of topics related to local activism.

• Get Tested for STIsFree STD testing for anyone interested. For more information please contact the Pride Centre.

• GLBT Seniors Drop-InMain Space – Upstairs [email protected] A social and support group for seniors of all genders and sexualities to talk, have tea and offer each other support.

• Men Talking with PrideMain Space – [email protected] A social discussion group for gay, bisexual and transgendered men to discuss current issues and to offer support to each other.

• Men’s HIV Support GroupGreen Room – Upstairs [email protected] group for people living with HIV/AIDS.

• PFLAGRed room - Downstairs 780-436-1998 [email protected] Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A support group for family members and friends of GLBT people. An excellent resource for people whose family members and friends have just come out.

• Prime TimersSee Edmonton Primetimers.

• Suit Up and Show Up: AA Big Book StudyDownstairs Couch Area Discussion and support group for those struggling with an alcohol addiction or seeking support in staying sober.

• TTIQGreen Room – Upstairs [email protected] TTIQ is mixed gender open support group addressing the needs of transsexual and transgendered individuals.

• Womonspace Board Meeting Main Space – Upstairs [email protected] Womonspace is a Social and Recreational Society in Edmonton run by volunteers. They provide opportunities for lesbians to interact and support each other in a safe environment, and to contribute to the broader community.

• Youth MovieMain Space – Upstairs [email protected] Movie chosen by youth (aged 14 – 25), usually with LGBT themes. Popcorn is served.

• [email protected] A safe and supportive space for GLBTQ youth aged 13–25. Video games, computers with internet, clothing bank, and more.

Team [email protected] http://www.teamedmonton.ca Members are invited to attend and help determine the board for the next term. If you are interested in running for the board or getting involved in some of the committees, please contact us.

• Badminton (Mixed) St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street [email protected] New group seeking male & female players.

• Badminton (Women’s)Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street 780-465-3620 [email protected] Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 season or $5.00 per drop in.

•Ballroom DancingFoot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW Cynthia: 780-469-3281

• Blazin’ BootcampGarneau Elementary School 10925 - 87 Ave [email protected]

• Bowling (Northern Titans)Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall) [email protected] $15.00 per person.

• Cross Country Skiing [email protected]

• Curling with PrideGranite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW [email protected]

• Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders)Various locations in Edmonton [email protected]

• Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons)[email protected]

• Golf [email protected]

• Gymnastics, Drop-inOrtona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue [email protected] Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is $5.00 per session.

• Hockey [email protected]

• Martial Arts15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance) 780-328-6414 [email protected] [email protected] Drop-ins welcome.

• Outdoor [email protected]

• Running (Arctic Frontrunners)Emily Murphy Park, west end [email protected] All genders and levels of runners and walkers are invited to join this free activity.

• Slo PitchParkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave [email protected] Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for players from the 2008 season.

• Snowballs IIIFebruary 5-7th, 2010 [email protected] Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend.

• [email protected]

• SpinMacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness 109 St. and 104 Ave Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm Season has ended. [email protected] 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant.

• Swimming (Making Waves)NAIT Pool (11762 - 106 Street) [email protected] www.makingwavesswimclub.ca

Calgary Contd. Edmonton Contd.


Directory & Events

• TennisKinsmen Sports Centre Sundays, 12pm-3pm [email protected]

• Ultimate Frisbee Sundays Summer Season starts July 12th [email protected] E-mail if interested.

• Volleyball, IntermediateAmiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road) [email protected]

• Volleyball, RecreationalMother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave) [email protected]

• Women’s LacrosseSharon: 780-461-0017 Pam: 780-436-7374 Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are welcome. Call for info.

• YogaGrant MacEwan Centre Dance Studio ,Room 186, 10045 - 156 Street [email protected]

Womonspace780-482-1794 [email protected] www.womonspace.ca Women’s social group, but all welcome at events.

Youth Understanding Youth780-248-1971 www.yuyedm.ca A support and social group for queer youth 12-25.

• Sports and Recreation Brendan: 780-488-3234 [email protected]

Restaurants5 The Junction -------------------------------10242 106th St 780-756-5667

12 Woody’s ------------------------------------✰11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6557

Retail Stores Rodéo Drive

11528 - 89th Street 780-474-0413 [email protected] http://www.rodeodrive.ca His and hers fetish wear, toys, jewelry, etc.

Products & Services Cruiseline

780-413-7122 trial code 3500 http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.

Robertson-Wesley United Church10209 - 123 St. NW 780-482-1587 [email protected] www.rwuc.org Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other LGBT events include a monthly book club and a bi-monthly film night. As a caring spiritual community, we’d love to have you join us!

• Soul OUTingSecond Sunday every month, 7pm An LGBT-focused alternative worship.

• Film NightBi-monthly, contact us for exact dates.

• Book ClubMonthly, contact us for exact dates.

Theatre & Fine Arts Exposure Festival

http://www.exposurefestival.ca Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival.

The Roxy Theatre10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB 780-453-2440 www.theatrenetwork.ca

BANFF/CANMORE Community Groups

Mountain PrideBOX 4892, BANFF, AB, T1L 1G1Brian, 403-431-2569 1-800-958-9632 [email protected] www.gaybanff.com Serving the GLBTQS community in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Area.

GRANDE PRAIRIE Community Groups

GALAP10113 - 103 Ave, T8V 1C2 780-512-1990 Gay and Lesbian Association of the Peace.

• Wednesday Coffee Nights

Edmonton EventsMondays

Boot Camp ----------------------------- 7-8pmSee Team Edmonton

Men’s HIV Support Group ------------- 7-9pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd

Curling -------------------------------- 7:15pmSee Team Edmonton Oct4Mar21

Amateur Strip --------------------------- 12amAt 6 Buddys

Tuesdays

GLBT Seniors Drop-in ----------------- 1-4pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton

TTIQ ------------------------------------ 2-4pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd

Youthspace ----------------------------- 3-7pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton

Bowling ---------------------------- 6:45-9pmSee Team Edmonton Sept7Mar15

Community Potluck -------------------- 7-9pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton Last

Recreational Volleyball ------- 8:30-10:30pmSee Team Edmonton Oct5

Swimming ---------------------- 7:30-8:30pmSee Team Edmonton Sept9Dec21

Martial Arts -------------------- 7:30-8:30pmSee Team Edmonton

Wednesdays

PFLAG -------------------------------- 12:10pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton 1st


Youth Sports/Recreation------------------ 4pmSee Youth Understanding Youth

Youth Understanding Youth ----------- 7-9pmAt 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

Mixed Badminton --------------------- 8-10pmSee Team Edmonton Jan13End of May

Wing & Sing -------------------------- EveningAt 5 Junction

Wings + Karaoke ------------------------ 7pmAt 12 Woodys

Thursdays

GLBT Seniors Drop-in ----------------- 1-4pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton

Get Tested for STIs --------------------- 3-6pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton Last



GLBT African Group ---------------------- 6pmAt 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd

Swimming ------------------------------ 7-8pmSee Team Edmonton Sept9Dec21


Book Club ----------------------------- 7:30pmSee BookWorm’s Book Club 3rd

Martial Arts -------------------- 7:30-8:30pmSee Team Edmonton

Intermediate Volleyball ------- 7:30-9:30pmSee Team Edmonton

Wet Underwear Contest -------------- EveningAt 6 Buddys

Fridays

Edmonton Illusions ------------------- 8:30pmAt 5 The Junction 2nd

Youthspace ------------------------- 3-6:30pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton


Youth Movie Night ----------------- 6:30-8:30See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton


Saturdays

Naturalist Gettogether --------------------- ???See Buck Naked Boys Club 2nd

AA Big Book Study ------------------- 12-1pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton

Monthly Meeting ---------------------- 2:30pmBy Edmonton Primetimers 2nd Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street

Youthspace ------------------------- 3-6:30pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton

Bowling ----------------------------------- 5pmSee Team Edmonton

Sundays

Running ----------------------------- 10-11amSee Team Edmonton

Free School---------------------------- 11-5pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd, 4th

Womonspace Meeting -------- 12:30-1:30pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton 1st

Yoga -------------------------------- 2-3:30pmSee Team Edmonton

Men Talking with Pride --------------- 7-9pmSee Pride Centre of Edmonton

Ballroom Dancing ------------- 7:30-8:30pmSee Team Edmonton

Monthly Meetings --------------------- 2:30pm Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) See Edmonton Primetimers 2nd

Tuesday, February 8th

Business Mixer ------------------------ 5:30pmBy ERBA Investors Group #107 Broadway Blvd, Sherwood Park


Queen of Hearts Pageant ---- 9pm-11:30pmBy ISCWR at 5 The Junction


Legacy Gala ------------------------------- 6pmBy HIV Edmonton Fairmont Hotel MacDonald - Empire Ballroom 10065 - 100 Street

Disney Extravaganza --------------------- 9pmBy ISCWR at 6 Buddys


Winterfest Wonderland ------ 10pm-11:30pmBy ISCWR at 5 The Junction


Oscar Party ------------------------ 5pm-11pmBy ISCWR at 12 Woodys

Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range), = Sponsored Event

Edmonton Contd.


LETHBRIDGE Community Groups

GALA/LA403-308-2893 http://www.galalethbridge.ca Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area.

• Monthly DancesHenotic (402 - 2 Ave S) Bring your membership card and photo ID.

• Monthly Potluck DinnersMcKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S GALA/LA will provide the turkey...you bring the rest. Please bring a dish to share that will serve 4-6 people, and your own beverage.

• Support Line403-308-2893 Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm Leave a message any other time.

• Friday MixerThe Mix (green water tower) 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S Every Friday at 10pm

Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA)University of Lethbridge [email protected] GBLTTQQ club on campus.

• Movie NightRoom C610, University of Lethbridge

Gay Youth Alliance GroupBetty, 403-381-5260 [email protected] Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm

Lethbridge HIV Connection1206 - 6 Ave S

PFLAG [email protected] www.pflagcanada.ca

Pride [email protected]

RED DEER Community Groups

AffirmSunnybrook United Church 403-347-6073 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family and allies. No religious affiliation necessary. Activities include support, faith and social justice discussions, film nights, and potlucks!

ALBERTA Community Groups

Central Alberta AIDS Network Society4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB http://www.caans.org The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the

local charity responsible for HIV prevention and support in Central Alberta.

Western Canadian Pride Campout www.eventmasterinc.net

YouthSafehttp://www.youthsafe.net Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender differences. Youthsafe.net lists the resources, information and services to help youth find safe and caring spaces in Alberta.

Theatre & Fine Arts Alberta Ballet

http://www.albertaballet.com Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton.

CANADA Community Groups

Alberta Trans Support/Activities Grouphttp://www.albertatrans.org A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of where they may be on the continuum.

Canadian Rainbow Health CoalitionP.O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9 (306) 955-5135 1-800-955-5129 http://www.rainbowhealth.ca

Egale Canada8 Wellington St E, Third Floor Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C5 1-888-204-7777 www.egale.ca Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans-identified people and our families. Membership fees are pay-what-you-can, although pre-authorized monthly donors are encouraged (and get a free Egale Canada t-shirt). Egale has several committees that meet by teleconference on a regular basis; membership on these is national with members from every region of Canada.

Products & Services Squirt

http://www.squirt.org Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY!

Theatre & Fine Arts Broadway Across Canada

http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca

OUTtvhttp://www.outtv.ca GLBT Television Station.

Alberta Contd.

http://www.gaycalgary.com/magazine/Redirect.aspx?url=http://www.petexpos.com


By Stephen Lock

The tentacles of censorship have always uncurled in insidious ways, but usually the grip is more immediate than 26 years later and in reaction to one (count ‘em....ONE) complaint about content.

However, the Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council, the independent body responsible for what is aired over Canada’s television and radio air waves, in response to that one complaint has decided to ban the original version of the song Money for Nothing by Dire Straits. This is because it contains the anti-gay epithet “faggot” three times in the fourth verse and therefore the song contravened the Human Rights Clauses of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Code of Ethics and Equitable Portrayal Code.

Now, if the song had, in fact, been a nasty piece of anti-gay diatribe calling for listeners to go out and beat the crap out of us perhaps such censorship might (and I stress the word might) have been appropriate. However, it is no such thing. If ever there was an argument about the importance of context when it comes to dealing with controversial/offensive material, this is a textbook case.

Mark Knopfler, the band member who wrote the piece, was not attacking gay men. The entire context of the song is about a manual labourer who resents the rock musicians he sees on MTV and it is this individual from whose point of view the song is written...and the individual describes those he is envious of as “faggots”. This is clearly not a reference to their real or perceived sexual orientation, since right at the top of the song he complains about how “them yo-yo’s” get their “money for nothing [i.e. they don’t really work for it like he has to] and [their] chicks for free.”

This casual use of a homophobic term is familiar to all of us, gay or straight. Hang out in the food court at any mall, or a school yard, a convenience store, or a bar and “faggot” is used as a putdown of anyone the user doesn’t like, disagrees with, or has issues with. It’s like calling someone a dork, or a rehab, or a doofus, only perhaps a bit nastier. Do I find the word offensive? Of course. Is it more offensive when used so casually, rather than as an epithet involving sexual orientation? To be honest, I’m not sure but my gut response is the casual use is marginally more offensive, if only because it is such an unthinking use of a pejorative term....rather like someone declaring he’s been “jewed” when he means he was cheated. Is the use of the term in the song, therefore, offensive? To some, absolutely it is, so the question then becomes, is the use of the term, given the context of the song, so offensive it warrants censoring it? I would argue it is not.

I’m not a fan of Dire Straits but I’ve heard this song and their other great hit, Sultans of Swing, on the radio for years. Money for Nothing has an interesting riff, or hook, to it that is immediately recognizable even to non-fans but other than that, I never paid much attention to it. I certainly never picked up on the word “faggot” in the lyrics and I’d say, and I doubt many would disagree, that I tend to be rather sensitive to such things.

In a 1985 interview with VH1 music critic Bill Flanagan, Knopfler talked about the genesis of the song: “The lead character...is a guy who works in the hardware department in an...appliance store. He’s singing the song. I wrote the song when I was actually in the store - I borrowed a bit of paper and started to write the song down in the store. I

Dire Straits in Dire Straits after Censorship Ruling

wanted to use a lot of the language that the real guy actually used when I heard him, because it was more real...”

Ironically, given the current controversy, the song won the Grammy for the Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with a Vocal in 1985. Assuming you were even born before then, do you remember what else was playing on the radio that year? I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner, The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and The News, We Built This City (On Rock’n’Roll) by Starship, Crazy for You and Material Girl by Madonna, Heaven by Bryan Adams, We Don’t Need Another Hero and Private Dancer by Tina Turner, and Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. With the possible exception of the blue-collar anthem, “Born in the U.S.A.”, all were typical AM radio “pop”. For 26 years, this Grammy winning song received air play throughout North America with nary a complaint. Most people probably couldn’t have told you what the lyrics were due to the mumbled nasal whine of the vocals; I know I couldn’t, apart from some reference to microwave ovens and colour TVs.

Having done radio for 14 years with my own show on CJSW 90.9 I understand the issues surrounding “controversial language” and the responsibility a broadcaster has to ensure any use is not gratuitous. The show I produced and hosted, Speak Sebastian, was quite often politically-driven and frequently dealt with “sensitive” topics. If I or a guest ever used the term “faggot” on air, which I don’t recall but in 14 years of doing a GLBT radio show it probably happened at some point, it was in context of a larger issue being discussed. To me, that is therefore appropriate. We never had a problem with station management or the Standards Council. I do know the term “dyke” was used periodically and certainly “queer” was but, again, it was within a cultural/political context.

The Standards Council received one complaint about the song’s content after the song aired over a St. John’s Newfoundland radio station. Since calling for the ban, more than 250 letters questioning the ban have been received and the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is now asking the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council to review its original decision. The role of the CRTC is to ensure “...all Canadians have access to a wide variety of high-quality Canadian programming as well as access to employment opportunities in the broadcasting system. Programming in the Canadian broadcasting system should reflect Canadian creativity and talent, our bilingual nature, our multicultural diversity and the special place of aboriginal peoples in our society.” According to its own website (www.crtc.gc.ca) the Commission does not regulate the quality and content of TV and radio programs. In other words, its role is not to censor or otherwise interfere in content but to serve as a licensing and marketing body.

If the song had in fact been an anti-gay diatribe calling for violence against us, it would have likely fallen under section 319 of the Criminal Code, the so-called Hate Crimes provision. However, the complainant did not pursue a criminal complaint, but rather filed a complaint with the Standards Council which would be the appropriate agency to approach. That is not the issue. The issue here is whether the Council was correct in banning the song. Is censorship appropriate in such instances? Again, it comes down to context and intent. Censorship should never be a first response mechanism. In fact, censorship is such an extreme reaction, its use needs to be very carefully

Politics


monitored and rarely used, and then only in extreme cases. This clearly was not the situation here.

The history of the use of censorship is not a good one. Rarely, if ever, has censorship really been about the common good. It wasn’t during the McCarthy Era in the United States; it wasn’t under the Third Reich or Stalinist Russia; it wasn’t when employed by the Church during the Middle Ages (or any other era one might care to name); and it isn’t under the theocracies of Iran, Saudi Arabia, or any number of Taliban-controlled territories. Simply put, censorship is bad. It is about control and the removal of individual choice. It is the State, or agents of the State, deciding what the populace can see, listen to, read, or experience. It is the antithesis of democratic freedom.

As an aside, even Dire Straits has over the years modified the lyrics when performing in concerts, replacing “faggot” with “queenie” or “mother” (itself a sanitized version of a well-known insult involving sexual relations with one’s mother...), which is a type of self-censorship no artist should engage in. The band, I assume, modified the lyrics in concert out of concern for offending gay or gay-affirmative fans but I think the concern, while appreciated, was misplaced. People at concerts are there for the music, not the lyrics. When the band goes into the opening riff of the song, that is when the crowd starts to cheer and shout and wave their arms in the air. It’s the melody or a particular aspect of the tune, like the hook this song has, that taps into that part of the human brain that can make us feel good or excited or sad and, it is that which makes or breaks a song.

In its request to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, the CRTC has asked them to examine the context of the word within the song’s overall message, the age of the song and how frequently it has been played since its release, and use of the word since the song was released.

These are important questions to ask, which should have been part of the original process - especially the question of context and overall message. Censorship too often tends to be a gut-level, knee-jerk response to something one finds offensive or upsetting. When I was the Regional Co-Director for Egale Canada we had to deal with a letter published by the Red Deer Advocate by Rev. Stephen Boissoin.

While one cannot compare the lyrics of “Money for Nothing” to the vile Boissoin letter - they operate in totally different contexts and on entirely different levels - the concept of using censorship to address real or perceived slights is probably not the best approach. Especially with a song that has received considerable air time over the last 26 years.

I happen to think the song, or rather its lyrics, are hardly the stuff of greatness. It’s a commercial pop song, something one has playing as background while at work or driving the car; all in all, pretty innocuous. Banning it has given the song more notoriety than it probably deserves. There is far worse stuff out there, stuff that is truly offensive. Most Hip-hop lyrics are far worse, far edgier. Punk was more dangerous than this. John Lennon singing “Imagine there’s no heaven” was anti-religion but it didn’t get banned and it shouldn’t. Neither should this have been.


Money for Nothingby Dire StraitsNow look at them yo-yo’s, that’s the way you do it,You play the guitar on the MTV.That ain’t working, that’s the way you do it,Money for nothing and your chicks for free.

Now that ain’t working, that’s the way you do it,Let me tell you them guys ain’t dumb.Maybe get a blister on your little finger,Maybe get a blister on your thumb.

We got to install microwave ovens,Custom kitchen deliveries.We got to move these refrigerators,We got to move these colour TVs.

The little faggot with the earring and the makeup,Yeah buddy, that’s his own hair.That little faggot got his own jet airplane,That little faggot he’s a millionaire.



Look at that, look at that,I should have learned to play the guitar,I should have learned to play them drums.Look at that mama, she got it sticking in the cameraMan we could have some fun.And he’s up there, what’s that? Hawaiian noises?Banging on the bongos like a chimpanzee.Oh, that ain’t working, that’s the way you do it,Get your money for nothing get your chicks for free.


Listen here,Now that ain’t working, that’s the way you do it,You play the guitar on the MTV.That ain’t working, that’s the way you do it,Money for nothing and your chicks for free,Money for nothing and chicks for free.

Get your money for nothing, get your chicks for free.Money for nothing, chicks for free.Look at that, look at that.Get your money for nothing, get your chicks for free (I want my, I want my, I want my MTV)Money for nothing and chicks for free.Easy, easy.

That ain’t working.


By Rob Diaz-Marino

We ran our bi-annual in-house reader survey over the course of last month. I’m happy to report that we got a good deal more people participating this year than we did back in 2009. This is extremely helpful – the more people that respond, the better we can understand what is going on. Otherwise, with Alberta readers as quiet as they are, we have no idea whether the crickets are a good thing or a bad thing.

There are a number of interesting statistics and responses that we’d like to bring up. The numbers below refer to survey respondents; however we use this sample to estimate trends within our entire readership.

Our most remembered edition was oddly September 2010 with Adam Levigne on the cover, followed closely by December 2010 (Cher), and May 2010 (Adam Lambert). From responses given, by our calculation the average reader spends 70 minutes reading GC&E Magazine each month.

Our most popular articles were the Community Photo Features (of course), followed by Community Organization and Event articles and Celebrity Interviews. As online articles go, we’re happy to see that 81% are reading them in some capacity.

Compared to our 2009 survey there is a significant dip in the number of people going out to the bars on a regular basis. All around, people’s spending seems to be a little more conservative.

A good point for event organizers across Canada hoping to attract people from Alberta (or vice versa): 82% of readers said they need one month or more of advance notice to consider attending an event in another province. That means running an ad the month of your event is not likely to be effective – at least 3 months of consecutive advertising prior to the event are required for the best results.

An impressive result that gives testament to the trusted reputation of our magazine, and effectiveness of advertising with us, is that nearly 70% of respondents stated that they are more likely to attend an event if it is sponsored by GC&E Magazine!

When it comes to being out of the closet, 78% stated they are fully out to their family, 81% are fully out to their friends, and 61% are fully out at work. These are pretty impressive numbers, and up from our 2009 survey.

Surprisingly (perhaps just to me) was the fact that so many people in the community are still experiencing discrimination. Over the past 12 months, 24% have felt discrimination at work, 20% at a mall or store, and 12% from healthcare workers (I’m listing only the top 3 here).

This year we asked many open ended questions, regarding how readers would like us to do things differently. A surprisingly common response was some rephrasing of “keep doing what you’re doing”. It seems a lot of people are satisfied with the direction we are going with the magazine, and remain interested to see where we take them. Nevertheless we received some very reasonable suggestions that we will look into for this coming year.

One respondent said, “You folks are doing a great job! Serving all the different communities inside Alberta’s diverse group of queer and trans of all sorts is a tough job and you do it with seeming ease. Thank you for adding Edmonton into the fold and providing a great mix of fun mainstream and queer culture with Alberta focused stuff.”

And the Winner Is…

2011 Survey ResultsOutcomes from the GC&E Magazine Reader Survey

Community


We asked readers to name some of their community favourites; which businesses they thought were doing a great job, and which not so much. While we’re keeping some of the results a surprise for our upcoming Alberta’s Top 10 LGBT Figures article, here are the ones that we can reveal.

Keep in mind that for many of these questions, answers were so varied that it was often difficult to group them toward single categories. This resulted in percentages seeming low even for the top entries, and caused difficulty separating the lower numbers into different ranks.

Lastly, remember that this is our readership talking, and not us. Officially, we love everyone.

Favourite Major Alberta LGBT Event of 2010 (Top 5)1. Canadian Rockies International Rodeo – ARGRA (17%)2. Calgary Pride (15%)3. TIE: Apollo Western Cup (5%), Edmonton Pride (5%), Fairy

Tales Film Festival (5%)

Best LGBT-operated or LGBT-friendly Business or Non-Profit Group (Top 9)

1. Club Sapien (13%)2. GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine (10%)3. Priape (7%)4. Edmonton Pride Centre (6%)5. TIE: FAB (4%), Texas Lounge (4%), Junction (4%), ISCWR

(4%), Team Edmonton (4%)

Worst LGBT-operated or LGBT-friendly Business or Non-Profit Group (Top 4)

1. Twisted Element (17%)2. TIE: Calgary Outlink (3%), Pride Calgary (3%), FLASH (3%)



Q Scopes“Trust your instincts, Pisces!”

Community

The Sun lining up with Neptune in Aquarius, and in a rare combination of aspects with Uranus (for the last time in our lifetime!), offers an unusual boost to intuitive clarity.

ARIES (March 20–April 19): Enjoy the company of good friends; talk about where you all expect to be in about 10 or 20 years. That can trigger inspired hunches about the future. As wild as they seem, talk about them for a clearer vision of what will be.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20): The future is necessarily uncertain. Don’t let that worry you, even the best astrologers can only hint vaguely at what will be. Focus on what you really want and expect of life – that will alleviate concerns about your career.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20): When you’re not sure what else to believe in, believe in yourself. Even that may be difficult while you are in the midst of redirection, but look into your own heart, your own guiding light, to see what you know to be true.

CANCER (June 21–July 22): Discuss your deepest, darkest sexual fantasies with your partner – or someone you can trust. Something new is likely to come up. You may not be ready to act on it, but at least consider the notion and what’s behind it.

LEO (July 23–August 22): The bedroom can be a great place to clear up misunderstandings with your partner. Be willing to let your lover lead you to places and positions you’d never considered. Also be open to returning the favor. It’s all about trust and empathy.

VIRGO (August 23–September 22): Your ideas at work are brilliant enough, but winning support can be a problem. The art of persuasion is more seduction than argument. Let others think they had a part in your ideas if you don’t mind giving up some of the credit.

LIBRA (September 23–October 22): The phrase “being a team player” does include some actual play – even at work. Morale-building fun-and-games will help you get into better sync with your colleagues. Even solo, new techniques will improve your game.

SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): Family secrets or community scandals, some innocent, and even playful explorations could open quite a can of worms. In the end it could prove very healing, although the catharsis could put some big bumps on the path to resolution.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 20): Confusion is the first step to enlightenment. Remember that when things get a little crazy with neighbors or siblings. Their “deception” is probably not deliberate. Be patient, forgiving and alert!

CAPRICORN (December 21–January 19): A necessary choice between diplomacy and honesty could test your values. “Being kind” is a mistake if it means hiding the truth, which will be discovered in any event. Gentleness and finesse will be appreciated; pussyfooting and sugarcoated lies will not.

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): Birthday splurges can carry hidden costs. Enjoy, but think ahead and consider the consequences. Take time out to consider where you’re going in life. Maturing is a process of adaptation. Aging offers opportunities for insight and liberation.

PISCES (February 19–March 19): Take as much time out as you need from worldly demands. You need to be able to charge your batteries to intuit the big changes coming up both globally and personally. Trust your instincts and act on them. Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977 teaches at the Online College of Astrology : http://www.astrocollege.com. He can be reached for personal or business consultations at 415-864-8302 or through his website at http://www.starjack.com

By Dallas Barnes and Sam Casselman

Team Edmonton is having its 4th annual Mixer on Saturday, February 26th at the Sawridge Inn. This is the second year that the Sawridge Inn has played host to the event, and according to Keith Andony of Team Edmonton, this partnership has been fabulous.

“They were such great hosts to work with on our previous event we were glad to return and work with them again.”

Andony sees how the growth of the organization has brought out more facets of the community.

“The event has become increasingly diverse in terms of attendance. All genders, sexual orientations, ages and ability levels are welcome to attend. The event is not just for jocks and jockettes. At last year’s event we had everyone from seniors to University students coming out to find out what was available in the community. As Team Edmonton has grown from supporting 6 groups to 32 different activities, the size and scope of our mixer has increased as well.”

Andony explains the event further. “As usual the event is free for all [18+] to attend. This evening is about providing the GLBTQ community with an opportunity to meet the organizers and participants from the entire spectrum of sports and recreation community. From hard core triathletes to recreational bowlers there is something for everyone to discover. Team Edmonton invites our community partners such as the Pride Week Society, Womonspace and HIV Edmonton to promote the work that they are involved with as well. It is an evening of awareness and opportunity for all.”

A silent auction also takes place during the evening.“The silent auction is filled with some great items donated

by business and organizations that include everything from gourmet dinners to athletic apparel.“

Team Edmonton is a volunteer-operated, non-profit society catering towards well organized and fun sporting events and recreational activities for the GLBTA community, which including: yoga, ultimate Frisbee, kickboxing, hockey, Hip-Hop, Dragon Boating, and badminton. This is not all, so make sure to check out their website for a complete list.

“The [mixer] is also a perfect opportunity to find out about how you can participate in the Outgames in Vancouver from July 25 to July 31st of this year. … This evening is focused on getting over 300 guests mixing and mingling in a social atmosphere and discovering all that Edmonton has to offer to the GLBTQ community.”

Team Edmonton MixerSports and Recreation Mingles with the Public

The Team Edmonton MixerSawridge Inn (4235 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton) February 26th, 7-11:30pm www.teamedmonton.ca



By Romeo San Vicente

It looks like the always-seemingly-being-discussed update of A Star Is Born, the one Beyoncé has been attached to for some time now (and before her it was Whitney and before her, etc.), might finally be ready to take flight. And who’ll be the man to make it happen? Clint Eastwood. Yes, you read that one correctly. The pair is in talks to add the Dreamgirls star to the Janet Gaynor/Judy Garland/Barbra Streisand legacy with Eastwood in the director chair. If it works out then Jon Peters, who produced the 1976 Streisand version, will be a co-producer. And who’ll star opposite Knowles? That one is still up in the air, and it’ll probably wind up going to a guy like Usher or Jamie Foxx, but wouldn’t it be cooler if it went to a guy whose career really is past its sell-by date? It’s not like Jermaine Jackson is all that busy, right?

Moulin JohnElton John recently told BBC Radio that his life story is going

to be turned into a movie by his Billy Elliot collaborator Lee Hall. One potentially awesome feature of that plan? Elton John will be hands-on helping every step of the way. Now, to sane people, this should bring to mind images of Michael Jackson directing giant statues made in his likeness to be erected in Romania. And you know how excellently entertaining that was. So if John is determined to see a Moulin Rouge-style film of his life take place, then rest assured it’s going to be narcissistic, extravagant, shiny and flat-out bonkers. Think EJ-themed episode of Glee meets drug addiction meets shopaholism meets sparkly boots and Donald Duck costumes. Now, will someone please bring Tommy (in which John co-starred) director Ken Russell out of semi-retirement to take over?

Deep Inside HollywoodA Star is Beyoncé

Oprah’s caged heatIn Oprah’s world, the press

releases come fast and furious, especially where her new OWN channel is concerned. It’s a good thing Romeo was paying close attention to Winfrey’s every move or he would have missed the coming-up-soon debut of Breaking Down The Bars, a new reality series about women in prison. Cameras will follow a group of female inmates at Indiana’s Rockville Correctional Facility as they attempt to sidestep the usual prison pitfalls of violence, toothbrush knives and scantily clad riots (OK, yes, those are maybe more the selling points of women’s prison exploitation movies) and focus on getting their lives together. And because it’s an Oprah product it’ll probably also be more heartwarming than scandalous. But you know there are going to be some tough lesbians involved somewhere. And that’s plenty reason to tune in when it debuts Feb. 15.

When Seth met Streisand

Old-school gay icon meets Gen Y stoner-bear bro? It’s happening, like it or not.

Barbra Streisand will team up with Seth Rogen for a generation gap road trip comedy called My Mother’s Curse, to be executive produced by both of them (as well as Rogen’s writing partner Evan Goldberg and others). Rogen will play an inventor on a cross-country trip to sell his new product, with Streisand riding shotgun, making his life difficult and reuniting with a long-lost love. Dan Fogelman (Cars) penned the screenplay after dealing with real-life travels alongside his own mother and it all goes in front of the cameras sometime this spring. Skeptical after seeing Little Fockers? Understandable. But think about this: once upon a time, Streisand turned in one of the great comedic performances of the 1970s in the never-not-funny-no-matter-how-many-times-you-watch-it What’s Up Doc? Who’s to say lightning can’t strike twice? Romeo San Vicente is superbad. He can be reached care of this publication.

Gossip

Barbra Streisand, Photo by Universal Pictures



Lifestyle

by Ed Sikov

“I will! I will! I-I wi-ill!” I sang wildly off-key in the shower, where only the Korean family next door and the lesbian phlebotomist with the Phyllis Diller wig below us could hear me. Also Bruce, who was making honking noises outside the bathroom door. Didn’t bother me. In crisis therapy, I accepted Craig and Kyle’s affair. Therapist Gary and I aired the musty roots of my breakdown, and eventually the stink of emotional rot receded. I’d been half right: My puke-green jealousy came from my mother, my dick and my creationist-like denial of aging. Having unearthed them, I achieved enlightenment. ”Om shanti namaste”!

This Nirvana was admittedly eccentric. I stopped swiping sleeping pills from Dan’s supposedly secret stash. (Even cretins start with the boyfriend’s jockstrap drawer for the drugs, or the money, or that strumpet’s phone number.) As for stewing over Craig and jerking off to filthy thrilling images of Kyle every day? I wiped my hands of them (in Kyle’s case, literally).

Facts: I’m 53 and have a loving partner and a fine life. No reason to ruin it over some perfect-assed boy with the shoulders of Apollo. My constant put-downs of Craig had to stop. I ceased fishwife-screeching at Dan. But how could I prove my shiny new peace with my buddy Gargantua screwing my tight-as-a-2(x)ist-sport-brief dreamboy?

Solution: cocktails and dinner. Those wretched margaritas Craig adores were considered and rejected; shanti namaste had its limits. Still, a fruity cocktail for Craig would show off my fabulous new generosity of spirit, which was entirely absent during mein psychoticschen episode.

Cosmically, the very next day a cooking blog featured a pomegranate cocktail. The recipe was vile – more suitable for pomegranate Jujubes. Craig would love it. The insane but inspiring recipe called not only for making your own fresh pomegranate juice (oh, squeeze my ass!) but for adding pomegranate molasses. What? Waltz into Costco and inquire as to the whereabouts of the pomegranate molasses? I’d sooner slap on an Elizabeth I wig and ask for the mead department. I adapted the recipe for those of us who are not deranged.

Lo: it worked! We all enjoyed a marvelous evening. The drinks were luscious – a little tart, a little sweet and quite refreshing. Craig had three. I had one. Dan was relieved. Craig did a brief impersonation of Dolores Del Rio, which even I found a bit rarified, but Kyle beamed with pride, though Señorita Del Rio’s identity escaped him. We adjourned to a steak joint, where Craig polished off a 24-oz. porterhouse, and I made no jokes. This boy was back!

At which point Kyle piped up: “Um, hey guys? Robbie can’t find a place for next summer. Nobody else will put up with him. Can he stay with us?” Craig responded in the voice of Helen Lawson: “So Satan’s come crawling back to Broadway! Well, Broadway doesn’t take to rudeness and fire-red treasure trails!” But we needed the rent money, so I supposed we’d have to.

Cocktail Chatter The Pomegranate Cocktail and The Virtue of Pricey Liquor

The Virtue of Pricey Liquor“You drink too much.” This was Dan’s opener at dinner

the night after I passed out from too many Old Fashioneds. I reacted with instant hostility, since I’d spent the afternoon making his favorites: braised pork shoulder with parsnips and white wine; brussels sprouts slaw; and a tarte tatin.

But before I sniped back something harsh – like “piss off” – I considered his point of view. It’s painful to admit it: he was right.

“It’s an occupational hazard,” I attempted. “I have a column to write.” “That’s a lame excuse, and you know it. It was terrifying to find you

like that – unconscious on the floor!” “People are said to be ‘asleep’ at night – not ‘unconscious,’” I replied with futile indignation, since I had been, in fact, unconscious.

“All right,” I sighed as I placed the platter of aromatic pork in front of him like an offering to an angry deity – Athena, say, the goddess of both warfare and reason. “I’ll cut back,” I promised.

“Way back,” he ordered from Olympus as he skewered a large chunk of moist pork, a slab of cooked meat to which I humiliatingly related.

And so I offer this column on single-malt scotch. Since they’re what my great aunt called “dear,” meaning costly, you’re a fool to gulp it. Even I, a professional drinker, can only have one shot a night. So I drink less. Bank-breaking liquor: a solution to Dan’s concern.

For many of us, scotch is an acquired taste. I nearly spat out my first sip. Then again I was 10 at the time. Rum tasted good then, and so did bourbon. But scotch tasted like somebody set fire to my mother’s burlap sack of peat moss and somehow made rotten moonshine out of the smoke.

I grew up. Now I love the intensely smoky, peaty kind of scotch that you can only get in single malts. Given the choice, most poor suckers go for the bland over the exceptional or unusual, so blended scotches dominate, though they all taste basically the same. But single malts vary greatly. I’m the kind of guy who goes for ultra-spicy food, high-cocoa dark chocolate, and certain out-there sexual practices which shall go unelaborated, so I prefer single malts that are heavily smoky, or peaty, or both.

Oban and Talisker are great single malts, but this time I opted for Tormore. I chose it because the liquor store guy boasted that his Tormore was a single-cask, special reserve made solely for his emporium. That brought out the essential snob in me, so I bought it. At home, alone with (as Gollum would say) “my precious” (Dan had flown off to Toronto for meeting of his medical geek society) I sipped my single shot – neat, of course – for about an hour and a half. Tormore’s first taste is a sharp alcohol tang, which turns into a rich smoke in the mouth before softening. It finishes as though you had just smoked a rare cigar. Perfection.

Ed Sikov is the author of Dark Victory: The Life of Bette Davis and other books about films and filmmakers.


Tormore Single Malt scotchFace facts: Unless you live in New York City, San

Francisco, Los Angeles or Boston, you’ll have to order most small-distillery single malts online. If your state forbids such imports, move. You never liked it there anyway, did you? The Puritanical bastards!

Pomegranate Cocktail2 parts Absolut 1/2 part Cointreau 3 parts bottled pomegranate juice * “Really” Simple Syrup (optional)

Pour Absolut and Cointreau into a pitcher. Add pomegranate juice. Stir. Taste. Add 1/4 tsp. simple syrup if you like. Pour over ice.

*Put equal parts sugar and water into a jar, seal it tight and shake until the sugar dissolves.


Sports

By Dan Woog

When the World Cup kicks off in Qatar in 2022 there will be no alcohol. There will also be few gay people in the stands, watching the most popular sports event on the planet.

FIFA – soccer’s world governing body – stunned the world late last year with the announcement that the quadrennial tournament heads for the first time to the Middle East. It was a coup for Sepp Blatter. FIFA’s president already helped steer the 2010 World Cup to South Africa, a first for the continent.

The same day he announced Qatar for 2022, he said that Russia would host the 2018 event. That too was a first. Some observers thought Blatter, who wields great influence over the politicized voting for host nations, was angling for the Nobel Peace Prize.

But Blatter’s statement a few days later torpedoed any hope for such an award. Instead, it set off a human rights firestorm that reached from Qatar to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, to England and the U.S. – anywhere on the globe where soccer is played.

In other words, everywhere.Immediately following Blatter’s announcement about Qatar, questions

arose. How can games be played in heat that reaches 125 degrees? What will happen when hard-drinking fans arrive in a country where public consumption of alcohol is forbidden?

And how can LGBT fans travel to a nation where homosexuality is strictly forbidden?

Asked at a news conference if he foresaw any cultural problems, the 74-year-old Blatter replied, “I’d say they (gay fans) should refrain from any sexual activities.”

His tone was jocular. He then turned serious, saying simply he was sure there would be no problems.

A FIFA spokesman said there would be no further comment.Howls of indignation arose from gay and straight organizations –

sports-minded, and not.Former NBA basketball star John Amaechi – raised in England, the

birthplace of soccer – was among the first to respond.He said, “It’s absurd. It’s not about people having sex in public and

being sanctioned for it; it’s the fact that Qatar was one of 79 countries to sanction executing gays at the United Nations.

“FIFA has endorsed the marginalization of LGBT people around the world. Anything less than a full reversal of his position is unacceptable… . If sport cannot serve to change society, even temporarily during the duration of an event like the World Cup that invites the world to participate, then it is little more than grown men chasing a ball and we should treat it as such.”

Amaechi did not limit his criticism to Blatter. Referring to giggling by reporters when the gay question was asked, the basketball player said, “It is the most childish response I could imagine. This does make it harder for footballers that are gay, but let’s not limit this. This story is big enough, his influence is big enough, to impact young people in school, people in workplaces, anybody who is perceived to be gay or is gay.”

Blatter’s comments, Amaechi said, underscore that “the seat of power, straight white men” are “very, very clearly uncomfortable with this issue and certainly not interested in taking it seriously.”

Kick It Out, an organization combating racism in soccer, spoke out against Blatter’s remarks too.Chairman Herman Ouseley said, “It was all frivolity and laughter, but it’s a serious business. People’s existence he has ridiculed.

“We can’t have that from the top of the world governing body. You’ve got to show leadership because you’ve got to influence the standards of behavior required and then you’ve got to enforce it when there’s a failure.”

Juriv Lavrikovs, communications director at the European branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, said simply, “This is not a joke. This is a matter of life and death to people.”

Qatar enforces its anti-sodomy laws strictly. An American serving a six-month sentence for homosexuality also received 90 lashes.

The OutField The beautiful game heads to anti-gay Qatar and Ryan Quinn comes out with The Fall

Gay Football Supporters Network chair Chris Basiurski noted, ““Many LGBT people live in countries where they would face execution or imprisonment if discovered. These people deserve our help, our respect and our support.”

“They, like the rest of us, do not deserve to be laughed at… . Mr. Blatter is naive to think that by taking the beautiful game to Qatar, it will bring an end to discrimination in the Middle East.

“He says that football is ‘everything for everyone,’ but he has not yet explained just how FIFA is going to ensure that LGBT football players and supporters will be welcome in Qatar.”

Blatter later condemned discrimination “against any human beings be it on this side or that side, be it left, right or whatever.” He did not mention anti-gay discrimination specifically.

The powerful chairman still has his job. And the World Cup is still headed to Qatar.

Ryan Quinn comes out with The FallRyan Quinn calls being gay a “gift.” There are challenges, sure – but,

he says, “as you overcome them you gain the rewards of being more introspective and aware.”

That gift has helped him as a writer. He’s “more attuned to the social mechanics of our culture, and the bigger picture of what makes each of us – or each character I’m writing about – who we are.”

Quinn’s understanding of the human condition makes his first novel, The Fall, an intriguing work. Weaving together the perspectives of three characters – a film buff fantasizing about a football player, a football star bored with his girlfriend and a burned-out classical musical prodigy – it examines their unexpected relationships at college. The gay aspect bubbles up often, but not obtrusively. It’s a realistic look at contemporary friendships and coming of age, and it works because Quinn is not far removed from that world himself.

A native of Alaska, he was skiing by age 3. Earning a ski team scholarship, he headed to the lower 48 – the University of Utah – for college. He was a two-time All-American in cross country skiing, and as a senior in 2003 the Utes won a national championship.

Quinn came out to his teammates during sophomore year. He knew no other openly gay college athletes anywhere – but even in Salt Lake City, his teammates and coaches were “extraordinarily supportive.” He found that when people “put a face to what it means to be gay,” they are less likely to be homophobic. That, Quinn says, is why gay people should come out. He knows “dozens and dozens” of out athletes – and not one has regretted the decision.

After writing an article for Outsports.com in 2003 about his experiences at Utah, he was flooded with responses. He realized the impact a writer can have. He moved to New York to work in publishing, and became obsessed with the idea of identity. He realized that college is a time of understanding one’s identity. The Fall developed from there.

Quinn weaved several passions – sports, classical music, wine, art history – into the story. When he began, he assumed he would identify most closely with Ian – the gay college athlete in the midst of coming out. To Quinn’s surprise, he found himself intensely drawn to the other two main characters too.

Still, his sports background informed the book on two levels. Though none of the events he describes is autobiographical, his experience as a college athlete helped him understand what it’s like to be on a team, to share the weight room with football players, to go to jocks’ parties, to feel the atmosphere of a sports-minded university.

With the exception of one person – a football player Quinn had a crush on in college, much like Ian does in the book – none of the characters represent someone in real life. They are composites – but Quinn brings them to life, with dialogue and detail.

Yet Quinn’s athletic training also provided the discipline he needed to write. Like cross-country skiing, novel-writing demands endurance. “It requires putting in time day after day, even when you’re not particularly motivated,” he says. “Taking time off just isn’t a choice if you’re serious about the end goal.”

The Fall fills an important niche. Young adult literature has proven receptive to gay themes, and several recent books focus on high school athletes’ same-sex attractions. By making his characters college seniors, Quinn stakes out a different spot on the sexuality-and-age continuum.



Advice

By Steven Petrow

“I was outed on Facebook”Q: Even though my good friend Letisha lives with her

girlfriend, she is not out to her family. At least she wasn’t until last week. Right after the holidays I posted a lovey-dovey photo of the two of them on my Facebook page, tagging both. Then of course bam! The photo was automatically uploaded to Letisha’s Facebook page and suddenly her whole family knew she was gay. Now Letisha won’t speak to me because she says I outed her. I say it’s her fault that she kept such a big secret from her family. Who’s right?

A: Every day I get more and more questions about Facebook gone awry. It’s so easy to stumble on some social faux pas that didn’t even exist before. However, from what you write, there’s enough blame to go around in this situation. First off, here’s my advice to you: No matter what, don’t tag people without asking their permission. Maybe you’re at the beach and unaware that your Facebook friend has called in sick from work. Maybe you’re photographing someone who is underage and the photo has caught him drinking. Or maybe your friend isn’t out. On the other hand, Letisha does need to wake up and face the fact that everything about Facebook is viral. No matter how you set your privacy settings, you can’t protect your privacy 100 percent. Lastly, a special note for your friend: Please don’t ask others to be complicit in your secrets. It’s certainly your right to stay closeted, but as you can see, it gets mucked up when you’re asking friends to be accomplices. (And a technical pointer: Remember that you can always de-tag yourself from a photo.)

“Confronting a Cheater”Q: I really need some advice. I think my boyfriend is

cheating on me and sleeping with other guys behind my back. When we first got together we decided that we weren’t going to have an open relationship. Recently he said he would have no problem if I wanted to sleep with other guys – as long as I told him first. That made me suspicious so I did something I probably shouldn’t have: I logged into his Facebook account and found an incriminating message. I know we need to talk but I am really bad with confrontation. What should I do?

A: Very few of us like the idea of confrontation, but when it comes to questions about monogamy and sexual health, you really have no choice. This doesn’t mean you need to come at him like a bat out of hell, but you do need to express your point of view and ask the important questions. The ability to do so is really important for your own self-respect. Perhaps there’s a middle ground that you’d be comfortable with? Many couples create rules in situations like this: No tricking in your own bed, for instance; it’s okay if one of you is out of town; or the number of liaisons is limited to prevent a romantic attachment. On the other hand, you may have no interest at all in anything but monogamy—as per your original agreement. Either way, you need to talk together and make some mutually comfortable decisions. If you do agree to have some new openness in your relationship, by the way, remember that you’ll need to come to some clear understanding of what each of you considers safer sex; there are about as many different definitions of that as there are couples. As for your logging into your boyfriend’s Facebook account: That’s a form of cheating, too. Leveling with him about your actions may help him to do the same.

Queeries“I was outed on Facebook”

“He’s never had sex before”Q: I’ve been going out with a guy who’s never had sex

before with a man and is more than a little apprehensive. We’re really into each other, but to tell you the truth I’m a little nervous myself at the thought of initiating a virgin. I just want to make sure to handle things right. Do you have any advice for me?

A: There’s a special responsibility in being someone’s “first.” I don’t know about you, but I still remember my very first time—and let me just say I was a nervous wreck. Since you already know that your fella is anxious, see if you can tease out what’s on his mind. Often a first timer’s main concern is that he’ll do something “wrong.” If you can help your new lover realize that it’s not about technical performance but rather emotional connection, you’ll both benefit. Also, let him know that he can determine the pace. Still, there will likely be some teachable moments as he tries new things on for size. I wouldn’t make corrections or suggestions in the heat of the moment, but instead maybe chat a bit later on if you feel the need. One last thing: Be sure to lead by example when it comes to the topic of safer sex. Steven Petrow [www.gaymanners.com) is the author of “The Essential Book of Gay Manners & Etiquette” and a regular contributor to Huffington Post and GayWeddings.com. Send him your questions: [email protected]

With the real world beckoning, life – and life’s choices – becomes a bit more serious; the stakes a bit higher.

The book has been out for only a month, but reaction is positive.” This isn’t a gay novel,” one reviewer wrote on Amazon.

“It doesn’t contain characters in drag and glitter, betrothed to drama, gossip and victimhood. It’s the coming out story of normal guys, who are completely comfortable in a world of pigskin and beer pong. It’s the ‘gay world’ in which they’re out of place. Any questioning youth who identifies more as a jock than a diva should read this novel – and make this well-told fictional story his own.”

Marketing a book in 2011 is hard – and gay books are even harder. Many LGBT bookstores have closed; mainstream booksellers are consolidating their gay sections. With his background in publishing, Quinn knows he cannot position The Fall as either a gay novel or a sports novel. It is, he says, “a coming-of-age journey.”

Maybe that’s the important point about novels in today’s age. Just as out college athletes don’t want to be identified solely by their sport or their sexuality, books don’t need to be categorized. The Fall is about growing up in modern America. And that’s something everyone – gay or straight, male or female, jock or musician – can relate to. Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog.com.



Out Field - From Page 30


Photography

Iconika at the Junction - Edmonton

Straight to Diva Launch at Calgary Eagle

ISCWR Gleek Show at Twisted Element - Calgary


Memorial


Dow Hicks, founder of The Roost Nightclub in Edmonton, passed away this past January 19th.

A memorial was held on Friday, January 28th at the Christ Church on 102nd Avenue. In honor of Dow Hicks, three gay bars in Edmonton - Woody’s, Buddy’s and the Junction - were open following the memorial with Happy Hour prices until 8pm.

Dow will leave a lasting mark on the Edmonton GLBT community. Linda Veraart, a friend of Dow, talked to GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine.

“Dow will be remembered for being a truly genuine person. He opened the doors at the Roost and made people feel at home, and [made the bar] a place that was safe for them to be no matter who they were. Dow would do anything he could for people and he always had a smile and a hand shake for everyone. Dow leaves behind a sister, his dog Jake and many, many friends.”

Dow founded The Roost Night Club in 1968. It was a crucial part of Edmonton’s GLBT scene, and made an impact not only on the community, but local organizations as well. He partnered with Grant Mac Ewan’s drama program, allowing student-run plays to be staged at The Roost’s theatre upstairs. He also made generous donations to numerous causes such as multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, heart and stroke research, and AIDS research.

“…If you needed anything he would be there to help you, or he would let you know of someone that could help. There weren’t many instances where he would not know an answer to a question being asked, but if by chance he didn’t know, he would find the answer somehow or even a few times he would make up an answer just to please us. He had a great sense of humour and if he could trick you into believing something that wasn’t really true, he would be the first one to say gotcha and laugh out loud.”

“I think anyone that knew Dow would say that he was a great boss, a great friend and just a genuine person. Dow is going to be truly missed by myself and everyone that knew him. If I could do anything to bring him back, I would. Dow, we are going to miss you more than words can say.”

Dow Hick’s Memorial Facebook page is inundated with messages of remembrance and hope. Ava Karvonen writes, “Dow leaves a great legacy behind with his kindness and generosity and for creating an environment for people to celebrate and embrace their differences. I spent many great evenings at the Roost. Thank you, Dow. We miss you.”

Similarly, Jeff Thiessen writes, “Thanks to a truly great man for all help and advice you gave me as a young, scared farm boy new to the city. And [thanks for] all the many good memories from the Roost. RIP.”

“When I first moved here almost ten years ago the first place I found was The Roost … and those people accepted me with no objections, and with that I found the strength to find out who I really am and to do what was right for me,” adds Sean Joseph Thomas. “And there is a very large hole in the hearts of many who have discovered themselves through The Roost Family. Dow will be sadly missed by all.”

It is obvious from the written words and heartfelt memories that Dow Hicks was a trailblazer in the Edmonton GLBT community, as well as a kind man in general. He gave the gift of acceptance to all who attended The Roost, and he made long lasting friendships as well. May he rest in peace. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dow can be made to the Alberta Lung Association, Box 4500 Street South, Edmonton, AB T6E 6K2, or to the University Hospital Foundation (Pulmonary Unit-5E3), 8440 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7.

Dow HicksEdmonton Remembers Roost Founder


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by Andrew Collins

Long a magnet for gay tourists, especially in winter but increasingly year-round, Miami is the largest and most diverse of the three prongs that comprise South Florida’s GLBT vacation trinity (Fort Lauderdale and Key West being the others). And it’s really a few destinations in one: there’s Miami proper, a city of about 440,000, and – across Biscayne Bay via a series of bridges – the separate city of Miami Beach (population 90,000), plus a slew of distinct neighboring communities that make up the nation’s seventh-largest metro area.

Leisure travelers tend to focus on the beaches, and GLBT visitors have long been particular, drawn to the southern end of Miami Beach, aptly known as South Beach, which bulges with trendier-than-thou luxe hotels, throbbing nightclubs, scene-y restaurants and gorgeous beachfronts (and sometimes appears utterly devoid of bulging tummies – indeed, the South Beach reputation for perfect bodies is both a hallmark and a criticism). What’s terrific about Miami Beach as a vacation getaway is that it’s a 10- to 15-minute drive from museums and growing cultural offerings of Miami proper. And once you’re here, it’s not much more than an hour’s drive to reach the edge of Everglades National Park, the thriving gay scene in Fort Lauderdale and the upper reaches of the scenic Florida Keys (Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park). There’s a lot more to see and do on a Miami vacation than merely sunning your buns by the ocean – although there’s plenty of opportunity for that, too.

As you’re planning a trip here, keep a couple of resources in mind: The city’s Greater Miami Tourism has an excellent

GLBT travel site (www.miamiandbeaches.com/visitors/gay.asp), which details recommended places to stay, eat, shop and play, along with relevant events. And right in the heart of South Beach, at 1130 Washington Avenue, the official Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce operates an LGBT Visitor Center (www.gogaymiami.com), where you can pick up advice on what to see and do – and where to stay – throughout Miami.

Another point worth considering is that Miami is one of the world’s leaders in gay and lesbian circuit parties and events, and many of these take place in late winter and early spring. One of the longest-running gay circuit events in the country, the Miami Winter Party Festival (www.winterparty.com), a fundraiser produced by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, takes places from March 2 through 7 and delights some 10,000 participants with some 20 parties, arts and cultural events, tours and cocktail receptions – there’s also a extensive roster of events geared just toward women, from a Latin dance party to a jazz brunch.

The following month, the third annual Miami Beach Gay Pride parade and festival (www.miamibeachgaypride.com) draws hundreds of spectators to Ocean Drive – this is one of the more community-oriented, laid-back parties in South Beach, an excellent opportunity to mingle and party with locals, and check out the dozens of bands, vendors, and local organizations at the festival between Ocean Avenue and gay-popular 12th Street Beach. The organizers also run a Miami Beach Pride Cruise to the Bahamas, from April 18 through April 22 (www.pridecruise.com).

Just after Pride, the increasingly prestigious Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (www.mglff.com) comes to the area,

Miami and South BeachOut of Town

Beautifully restored art deco buildings line Ocean Drive in South Beach. Photo by Andrew Collins



presenting dozens of screenings and events from April 23 through May 2. Other noteworthy events of GLBT interest to keep in mind later in the year include Aqua Girl (www.aquagirl.org) women’s weekend in mid-May, Sizzle Miami (www.sizzlemiami.com), which caters to gay men of color, and Sizzle Her Miami (www.sizzleher.com), a concurrent women’s event, both of which are during Memorial Day weekend in late May; Miami Beach Bruthaz Black and Latino Gay Pride (miamibeachbruthaz.com) in mid-July; and the Miami White Party Week (www.whiteparty.org) in late November.

Part of the fun of South Beach, beyond Ocean Drive and the sunny sands that flank it, is sauntering along the main north-south drag, Washington Avenue, a sometimes slick, sometimes raffish stretch of shops, hotels, and restaurants, plus the refreshingly sex-positive World Erotic Art Museum – the curious, extensive collection inside includes phallic fertility relics from 100 BC, exhibits on Lady Godiva and Catherine the Great, Tom of Finland figurines, and a magnificent four-poster bed, whose four “posts” are actually massive carved wooden penises.

Running perpendicular to Washington, the Lincoln Road also abounds with culinary and retail diversions – this pedestrian-only promenade is lined with palm-shaded sidewalk cafes and nightclubs. A full square mile of South Beach comprises the Art Deco District, a historic collection of some 800 prominently preserved buildings that showcase the sleek, distinctive style of 1910s to 1940s Miami. You can learn more about the city’s art deco heritage at the Wolfsonian Museum.

South Beach is one of the country’s bona fide hot spots for dining. Red Steakhouse (redthesteakhouse.com) is one of the most impressive venues, serving deftly prepared Italian fare and tender steaks. For upscale creative Cuban fare, try D. Rodriguez Cuba (www.drodriguezcuba.com) inside the Astor Hotel – crab empanaditas and crispy-skin pork are among the specialties. And, of course, don’t overlook favorite longtime standbys, like the stainless-steel 11th Street Diner (www.eleventhstreetdiner.com), which serves tasty diner fare 24/7; Books & Books, with its sunny sidewalk cafe along Lincoln Road; and touristy but fun Joe’s Stone Crab (www.joesstonecrab.com), which has been serving fresh seafood for nearly a century.

Lincoln Road is also home to a pair of the most popular gay nightspots in South Beach, MOVA Lounge (www.movalounge.com), a classy cocktail bar, and Score (www.scorebar.net), an expansive place with a trendy see-and-be-seen crowd. Other gay social spots of note include Twist (www.twistsobe.com), an expansive two-level video bar with a big patio out back that’s been de rigueur with revelers since it opened in 1993; and the Palace Cafe (www.palacesouthbeach.com), which overlooks Ocean Drive and is a favorite spot for lunch, cocktails, or dinner, especially after a visit to the gay beach at 12th Street.

If you’ve tended to focus your energy on South Beach in past visits, you really owe it to yourself to hop over to Miami proper for at least a day of exploration. It’s here that you’ll find one of Florida’s most fascinating house-museums, Vizcaya. A short drive north of downtown, the Wynwood Arts District, where you’ll find the outstanding Rubell Family Collection (an amazing assemblage of cutting-edge contemporary pieces spanning several large gallery rooms) and a number of terrific galleries, including Calix Gustav, which made a particular strong mission of including GLBT works, and the Wynwood Walls, a series of large-scale murals. There’s also a great restaurant around the corner, Joey’s Caffe & Ristorante (www.joeyswynwood.com), serving tantalizing thin-crust pizzas, antipasti platters, and elegant salads.

Downtown itself is a neighborhood with a burgeoning restaurant scene – check out Cviche 105 (www.ceviche105.com) for stellar Peruvian cuisine, Tre Italian Bistro (www.tremiami.com), and Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill (www.sugarcanerawbargrill.com), plus such important arts venues as the historic Gusman Center for the Performing Arts (take a tour of the ornate interior) and the dazzling Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Miami also has a few of the top gay bars in the region, downtown’s Club Mekka (www.mekkamiami.com), on Saturdays, for Discotekka); the Latin-flavored Club Sugar

(clubsugarmiami.com) in Coral Gables, and the multiracial Club Boi (www.clubboi.com) – which is more Latin on Fridays, and African-American on Saturdays – in North Miami.

Trying to keep up with Miami’s, and especially South Beach’s, constantly evolving lodging landscape requires a scorecard – glitzy new hotels and resorts continue to open at a remarkable pace (this has even been true during the rough economy of the past couple of years). One of the most talked-about openings has been that of the Lords South Beach Hotel (www.lordssouthbeach.com), which opened inside a vintage art deco stunner (formerly the Nash). Reviews thus far have been mostly positive – the Lords has 52 rooms with simple but stylish white, yellow, and turquoise colors schemes and plenty of cushy amenities, from iPod stations to DVD players.

The latest high-profile entry, opened in February 2011 behind the Versace Mansion in a pair of restored Collins Avenue deco gems, Dream South Beach (www.dreamsouthbeach.com) contains 108 chic rooms and suites, the full-service Chopra Spa, and a superb restaurant – The Tudor – opened by vaunted chef Geoffrey Zakarian. Also near the beach and shopping, the the Z Ocean Hotel (www.zoceanhotelsouthbeach.com) a relaxing low-rise that spans a block between Collins and Ocean avenues. Rooms in this contemporary, low-keyed property are richly appointed with large windows, expansive balconies, fine bathrooms, and cushy feather beds.

In downtown Miami, the gay-popular Kimpton brand operates the swanky and chic Epic Hotel (www.epichotel.com), a soaring 411-high rise on the Miami River with expansive views of Biscayne Bay and the downtown skyline. This is a great base for exploring downtown, and it’s just 10 minutes by car to South Beach. Inside the hotel, you’ll find the excellent Exhale Spa, and a pair of superb restaurants, Area 31 – which overlooks the pool – and the sleek modern Japanese eatery from London, ZUMA.

The area also has a few top-notch smaller properties catering significantly to gay and lesbian visitors. With a slightly quirky (but interesting) location just across the Miami River from downtown Miami’s retail, dining, and culture, the Miami River Inn (www.miamiriverinn.com) is a terrific, affordable option if you’re a fan of historic residential architecture – it occupies several stunningly restored early-20th-century houses and cottages, with a total of 40 rooms.

Intimate options in South Beach include the beautifully kept, lesbian-owned SoBe You B&B (sobeyou.us), a 10-room stunner on a quiet street that’s within an easy walk of local nightlife and shopping; and the super-affordable Tropics Hotel and Hostel (www.tropicshotel.com), which has both private and dorm-style accommodations with among the lowest rates in greater Miami – it’s clean, friendly, and a short walk from the beach and Lincoln Road. For such a glamorous city, Miami offers a surprising value, even during the winter season – just book ahead, and expect higher rates, during some of the aforementioned festivals. Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. He can be reached care of GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine.

Travel

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By Pam Rocker

I admit, I’m hooked on The United States of Tara, the Showtime series that follows the life of a suburban housewife with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. Toni Collette (Tara) has won various prestigious awards for her leading role in the show, which is due in no small part to her depiction of Tara transitioning into her alternate personalities.

As eye-opening as this series has been for me, as I have had no experience with DID, it was no match for the depth of insight that the documentary film, When the Devil Knocks, had in store.

This challenging story, based in Alberta, packs a different punch, as the plotline is completely true and portions of the film are excerpts from actual therapy sessions. The films’ subject, Hilary Stanton, gave the filmmakers unlimited access to more than 40 hours of videotapes of her psychotherapy, filmed over 10 years. These therapy tapes revealed a cast of supporting characters, “alters”, who kept Hilary alive by taking over for her during times of crisis.

Dr. Cheryl Malmo, Hilary’s psychologist, initially videotaped these therapy sessions (with Hilary’s permission) to help train therapists in the treatment of DID. There are still many people, therapists included, who don’t recognize DID as a valid disorder, or believe that people who suffer from it are simply “acting” and can control their behaviour. This is frightening for many reasons,

When the Devil KnocksA raw and intimate look at Dissociative Identity Disorder

especially since the commonality of DID has been linked to be as similar in numbers as bi-polar disorder (1 in 100 or approx. 1-3% of the population.)

“It’s more common than people think,” says Cheryl, “the basic thing that needs to change is that people understand that it does exist. In the professional community there is a whole lot of denial of its existence, and because of that, it’s not properly diagnosed, and people are being given drugs for other things instead of for this condition.”

“The position that this is a made-up illness can only be taken by people who have not experienced working with somebody who has DID, and someone who is not aware of the current literature available. Hilary was very motivated to have her sessions videotaped because of a very bad experience she had with a therapist who told her it was all in her head, that memories are unreliable and that she couldn’t trust them. She was very keen that therapists should be educated. Without the proper diagnosis, people cannot get the proper treatment.”

This motivation was indeed strong for Hilary, as she not only agreed to the filming of her therapy sessions for training on DID, but ultimately for use in a documentary that would have her in the leading role.

When Helen Slinger, director of When the Devil Knocks, learned of the tapes and approached Hilary about their possible use in this capacity, Hilary almost instantly said yes. “For someone who had so little safety in her life, she was really open,” said Helen,

Film Review

Movie Poster courtesy of Bountiful Films Psychologist Cheryl Malmo with Hilary


When the Devil Knockshttp://whenthedevilknocks.com http://whenthedevilknocks.com/screening-times http://www.gaycalgary.com/u198


“because she wanted people to be educated by her experiences.” And educate she did, in the most vulnerable yet powerful way she could: by sharing her story.

The film is a spliced narrative of past and present, as we hear stories from Hilary’s past, and the events that triggered the alternate personality fragments, “alters”, to take over for her, protecting her from a reality that was too cruel to withstand.

Severe traumas during childhood are the link that most people with DID have in common. Also, nine times more women than men are diagnosed with DID and 97% of those diagnosed have a history of physical sexual abuse, with a huge majority being objectively verified even when the patient didn’t recall the abuse.

Although we see but a brief glimpse into the dozen years of treatment that Hilary had with Cheryl, the images left with you are indelible. Real footage of Hilary becoming her alters; personalities that differed widely in age and physicality. From the 12-year-old Tim who contained his anger by always clenching his fists, to the withdrawn 10-year-old Joanie, who initially had no voice and had to write everything down. Each alter held a specific purpose for Hilary’s protection, although until she began her therapy with Cheryl, she was unaware that these other fragments even existed.

While watching the film it could seem that Hilary can easily transition in and out of personalities at will, as Cheryl asks for the alter by name. But this perceived ease was borne out of years of therapy and intentionally creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for them to come into.

“People who are untreated go in and out of their alters all the time; this switching happens automatically,” says Cheryl. “When she (Hilary) was living her life, it was happening all of the time, it was very dangerous for her, but in therapy we were able to practice in a very controlled and safe environment. Much of the work in therapy is to work with the alters so that they can stay safe and keep the others safe as well. Alters would never come out if the therapist were judgmental or dismissive of abuse; they are there to protect her.”

Although tragic in many ways, Hilary’s story is not devoid of hope, in fact, against all odds, it flourishes.

“This is a story of hope because she succeeded in healing,” Cheryl said. “She never gave up, she kept working, even when she felt like giving up but when she felt that way, I wouldn’t let her. She never missed an appointment, she never cancelled, she always did her homework and wrote in her journals, and even when she was terrified to go into the world, she finally consented to going into a support group, and eventually became a mentor and leader to the people in that group.”

It was clear that the learning between Hilary and Cheryl was a two-way street. “I learned a tremendous amount from her,” Cheryl stated confidently. “Hilary had a magic about her which was very compelling, a sparkle and a dry wit; people loved her. She was gentle, bright, interesting, and interested. It was a privilege to be able to work with her.”

Hilary’s gentle and curious spirit goes a long way in dispelling the myth that DID is not something that happens to “normal” people.

“People can tend to be skeptical about this disorder because it challenges their sense of safety, that you’re not dealing with something ‘known’,” says Director Helen Slinger. “But with a film, you’re no longer in discussion, you’re watching. A real, ordinary person dealing with their life. The fact that you see it actually happening, instead of simply talking about it, is powerful.”

One delightful but unexpected part of this film is the love story between Hilary and her wife, Debbie Stanton. Having lived together since 1999, Debbie knew much about Hilary’s struggle with DID, and was a constant source of love without judgment. During their wedding vows, Hilary shared, “Now that I am well, I can either follow or lead, but I will always walk by your side.”

I wish that this story could end here, but regrettably, there was yet another tragic twist in Hilary’s life. One month after Hilary appeared at the triumphant festival launch of this film in Vancouver in October 2010, she was killed in a car accident in Mexico.

“As Hilary went through so much to get healthy and whole, it seems desperately unfair that she didn’t have more time,” said Helen. “But at least she was finally truly happy. She found real pleasure in the making of the documentary and, as the credits rolled at the premiere screening, she glowed in the warmth of an absolutely thunderous standing ovation. Hilary was very brave to lay open her life in the way that she did and she was proud of the resulting film, now her legacy.”

Her legacy is a film that beats with sincerity and hope, and a story that will surely inspire us, as individuals, therapists, and as a society, to become better educated on DID and other mental illnesses; is one that speaks to the power of the human spirit and the insurmountable bravery of one woman to let us into her world, in hopes to make ours better.

“Because of Hilary’s courage, maybe one person (and hopefully many more), will realize that it is possible, through treatment, to live through the trauma and come out a whole, strong person at the end,” says Debbie. “It is a long, hard road, but it is worth it.”

For more information on this film and on DID, visit the films’ website. When the Devil Knocks is also available to watch for free online, through CBC.

38 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #88, February 2011 www.gaycalgary.com38 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #88, February 2011 www.gaycalgary.com

By Evan Kayne

Late November 2010, local Country musician Patrick Masse and a friend pulled their vehicle into a strip mall downtown on 11th Avenue and 5th Street SW. It was early in the morning and they just wanted to get some pizza after the bars had closed. When his friend went into the pizza place, Patrick relaxed in the car and moments later an individual - belonging to a group of four males loitering at the strip mall - tapped on his window.

Patrick, having lived in Vancouver for years, assumed the man was going to either ask for spare change or a spare cigarette, so he rolled down the window. The offender began to call Patrick “faggot” and “homo”, then started spitting on him. When Patrick moved (as much as you can from a seated position) to defend himself, the offender punched Patrick the face, causing a swollen eye, bloody nose and a split lip. Patrick was trying to roll up the window, and his friend (who at this point had returned to the car and had witnessed some of this) got out of the car to chase after the assailant.

The group of men retreated, but were still trash talking – including insulting the ethnicity of a cab driver nearby. The friend decided to stand down and look after Patrick, who was in shock. Patrick realized later “it was just a matter of the wrong place at the wrong time...it was just somebody looking for trouble and I happened to be sitting right there” - meaning the victim could have been anyone, gay or straight.

Patrick admits he should have called the police at the time, but he was also thinking about a flight he had to catch out to Vancouver the next day. “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal until I woke up and realized what had happened.” When he called the police, the officer on the phone told him it was a hate crime (as the assailant’s actions indicated it was all driven by hate). An officer arrived within ten minutes and took Patrick’s statement. While the Calgary Police Service does have a description of the individuals, given the length of time that had passed after the incident occurred, it is doubtful anyone will be arrested.

In Canada, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer folk live in a country that allows us the right to marry, and our rights are enshrined in law. Society, in general, is becoming more accepting of us, but this doesn’t discount the fact our community is still at risk of being victimized due to hate crime. But what is a hate crime?

Or rather the question should be, what is a hate motivated crime, for there is no such charge in the Criminal Code of Canada (CCoC) identified as a “Hate Crime”. Section 319 does deal with Hate Propaganda and Advocating Genocide, and section 319 covers Public Incitement of Hatred – these are the sections under which Holocaust deniers Jim Keegstra and Ernst Zundel were charged. Yet under assault, arson, vandalism (etc.) an offender can’t be charged with hate assault, hate arson, hate vandalism.

Where the charges of hate-motivated crimes come into effect is in sentencing, according to Constable Lynn MacDonald of the Calgary Police Service Diversity Resources Unit.

“Whenever you talk about additional hate crimes provisions...the courts may define motivations of hate, bias or prejudice aggravating factors in sentencing of an accused....Then what happens during the sentencing part if that person is found guilty, what the judge looks at is those aggravating factors.”

Therefore, while an assault could be a hate motivated crime, and it may result in a stiffer sentence for the offender,

Defining Hate Crime

the offender doesn’t face another charge of “hate crime” along with the assault charge.

In the case of what happened to Patrick Masse, if this incident ever made it to court, it could prove tricky to say this assault was a hate-motivated crime. Specifically, when sentencing, Section 718 of the CCoC compels a judge to take into consideration eight factors on a Hate/Bias Crime. These factors include: hate/bias motive; motivation of the offender; comments and literature; racial, ethnic, gender, or cultural differences; affiliation to organized hate groups, tattoos, graffiti, internet sites; criminal history, and; location of the offence. If no single factor is sufficient to determine this, then a combination of these factors may apply.

By reviewing this list and considering the evidence brought forward, the Court can then assign a stiffer sentence if the judge concludes a crime was hate-motivated. It’s an imperfect process, yet it takes into account the situation as a whole. The police and the courts have to investigate and discern if the assault was motivated by hate. It’s not a simple matter to say calling someone “faggot” while inflicting injury is a hate crime. In many cases, the word is meant particularly as an insult toward someone who is believed to be straight.

“It could be a consensual fight between two guys and a guy might not even know the other guy is gay or suspect he is gay,” says Constable MacDonald. “He’ll call him a fag because that’s one [insult] that’s common amongst straight men to use as a derogatory term to put another person down.”

There was an even more horrific incident in South Eastern British Columbia this past December 29th. A gay couple on a cross-country skiing trip stopped into a secluded, natural hot spring just north of Nakusp on Highway 23. They were relaxing in the pool and eventually three other people came along (two males, one female). They all sat in the pool for a while until, as part of the conversation the couple “outed” themselves. One of the men, identified as “Terry” got out of the pool and told his friends he was going to kill the couple. One half of the couple ran into the bush and hid, while Terry viciously beat the other male. The victim suffered bruising and cuts to most of his body and a large cut over the bridge of his nose.

After the beating, “Terry” and friends left on snow mobiles. The victim’s partner then returned to assist him. Currently, the BC RCMP have not been able to find the suspect, and are asking for our help. The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 6 feet tall, around 44 years of age, stocky build with defined muscles and has a short “flat-top” hairstyle. As well, he has a tattoo of a bird’s silhouette on his chest - approximately 2 inches in diameter. What we should know is that the suspect, “Terry”, is believed to be from Calgary. Police believe the motive for this crime was one of hate and ignorance relating to the victim’s sexual orientation and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

In this case, because the couple identified themselves as gay, whereupon “Terry” indicated he would cause them physical harm, and then carried this threat out on half of the couple, the police and the courts would be able to cite at least two of the factors to say it was a hate-motivated assault. Of course, they may find more factors after arresting and investigating the offender.

This investigation process allows Police and the courts to really delve into the situation to discover if the offender targeted that person because of their sexuality, and it also prevents any frivolous abuse of the system.

Usually, any claims of “hate crime” triggers extra police resources to fully examine the case. For example, in Calgary,

Politics



as soon as certain key words are entered into a police report (like “faggot”), a copy of the case is sent to the Hate Crimes officer, Constable MacDonald tells us.

“He reviews the file, he works with the investigators to make sure that all the right questions are asked, all the avenues are explored to see if it was a hate-motivated crime.” In this situation, civilians may not be aware of all the checks and balances the police undertake as part of the case. There may be several different officers pursing the hate-motivated aspects alongside the officers who are pursing information on the crime itself. If there are questions that these additional officers see haven’t been answered to determine if the case is a hate-motivated crime, the investigating officers will be asked to go back and do more legwork.

Regarding slurs and insults, while those may be hate/bias incidents, they aren’t crimes by themselves. “A lot of people think that just because someone simply says a word, makes it a hate crime, and it doesn’t.” Constable MacDonald told us. “I get what people are trying to say that it should be, but the reality is that it’s not.”

This is because the use of a taboo word is not cut and dried. Even in our community (and in other communities) taboo words may be used by members thereof, yet not by outsiders. Or a taboo word may have been allowably used as part of a character’s voice in a work of art (as seen in the recent media coverage of the Dire Straits song “Money For Nothing”, the use of the word “faggot” by an ignorant character described in the song, and the split response in our community). For those situations, it’s a grey area where social values, education and discussion are needed to decide what’s allowable.

But for situations where slurs are used along with the intent of harm because the victim is a member of the GLBTQ community, then and only then do we consider it part of a hate-motivated crime.

Finally, if you or someone you know ever experiences what you suspect is a hate-motivated crime, like any other dangerous situation, you should first remove yourself from harm and then contact emergency services (police and/or paramedics).

No matter what you may feel at the moment, no matter if someone has irresponsibly told you that the police will do nothing...REPORT THE CRIME. This cannot be stressed enough. Silence will allow any hate-mongers the license to continue. This time they committed an assault. The next time it could be murder. The police are equipped to investigate and prosecute, and will also put you in touch with Victim’s Support groups. The more we get this out in the open, the better - not just for our community but for the mainstream community as well, because in both assaults there were bystanders who were friends of the assailant. The police will not tolerate hate crime. Our community will not tolerate hate crime. And one day, in another similar assault, the friends of the assailant will realize they should not tolerate it either.

If you have any information on the suspect or the incident in either the Nakusp assault or in Patrick Masse’s assault, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

And online version of the Criminal Code of Canada can be downloaded at: www.gaycalgary.com/u191



By Mercedes Allen

(The following is not meant to absolve anyone, but to just show what it’s like. Because the religious right would have everyone believe that it’s all so simple: just pray, believe, and it will all go away. What follows is the first 17 years of my life.)

The nightmare begins in the morning, awakening to Your Same Old Reality™ again; afraid, ashamed, torn. Today will bring another fall, you fear, yet you steel yourself against it, determined to resist all temptation. Don’t doubt, or it will make you fail. You say a prayer… you begin by begging forgiveness, by confessing the ongoing falls from grace, the failures, acknowledging the worthlessness of being one of the many who “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” You know you cannot fight this temptation on your own, and you pray that God will deliver you from it. No, you beg God to deliver you from it. But you remember that temptation will come — it always does — and you pray that you’ll have the strength to cast it out. You remember that “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart,” and you despair that it only takes a moment to fall.

You have breakfast. Someone says something that you don’t really hear because your consciousness stream is going on and on, beating you up for being so filthy and weak and prone to failure, and telling yourself that today has to be the day you turn it all around. The news is on, but you don’t really hear it, because you’re plotting out your day, trying to pinpoint those moments where you will have to be most on guard. You feel lonely, but you try really hard not to articulate in your head what you would like to wish for. You pray that God will deliver you from it. No, you beg God to deliver from it.

And now, you’re on the bus. This is one of those moments your anxiety level spikes. So many things could go wrong. You’re so scared that you are breathing heavy, and the fear that someone will notice makes you all that much more afraid. You have to hold your breath for moments, to try to disrupt the impulse to hyperventilate. Your sweat is deathly cold. You pray that God will deliver you from it. No, you beg God to deliver you from it.

And then there he is. He’s gorgeous (no, you didn’t just think that, you filth). You look away. There’s so many things wrong with that thought. He’s a boy. You’re a boy. Or that’s how you’re supposed to think of yourself, anyway. Sometimes you think otherwise, but that’s wrong too. Okay, it’s all getting muddled, and that consciousness stream is

The Ex-Gay Jesus-Fix-It Perpetual Emotion Machineribbonning everywhere and tripping over itself and you’re hyperventilating. You’ve induced an anxiety attack. You pray that God will deliver you from it. No, you beg God to deliver you from it.

You get off the bus a stop early, and have to walk the rest of the way to school. That was close. It’s never been completely clear where something stops being temptation and becomes sinning in your heart, but you know it must be around the moment you choose not to look away, so that was really close. You thank God for delivering you from it.

You fall in behind someone you’ve seen around the hallways at school. She’s really cute. You’re jealous (no, you didn’t just think that, you filth). You look away. You’re attracted to her, which is good, you suppose, but again, you don’t really know when it becomes something sinful, so you try to control that thought. The consciousness stream is flipping around, but you’re able to calm it down by looking at the pigeons. You pray that God will deliver you from it. No, you beg God to deliver you from it.

You’re in class. The teacher is conducting a lesson on calculus, but you don’t really hear him. The kid in front of you was out playing football during his spare, and you can smell the fresh scent of musk on him. It’s playing in your head. You’re busy thinking about trying not to think about it. But he’d have strong arms. They’d probably make you feel really small, wrapped in them…

Damndamndamndamndamn. You excuse yourself to go to the washroom. Damndamndamndamndamn. It’s a good thing you’ll have homework this evening to try to get this Calculus stuff, because you totally can’t think right now. In the washroom stall, you’re beating yourself on the head with your fists. Damndamndamndamndamn. “I’m the worst in the world. I’m the worst in the world.” It’s not some tongue-in-cheek Keith Olbermann shtick, it’s the mantra of an eleven-year-old boy. Or girl. Damndamndamndamndamn. You’ve never figured that part out, so you assume that what everyone tells you must be correct. All your instincts are wrong. It’s a character flaw. You’re wicked. You pray that God will deliver you from it. No, you beg God to deliver you from it.

Later, you’ll have supper and listen to your mom. She’ll be down on herself about smoking and cursing and all the things she finds it difficult to excise from herself in order to live a pure life. She’ll be praying to God and hoping that this time she can get it right. All these flaws… need to keep on praying, keep on giving to the church, keep on reading the Bible, keep on receiving instruction, keep on seeking help.

Trans Identity

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She prays that God will deliver her from it. No, she begs God to deliver her from it.

After that, you’ll be at Bible study. They’re going to be talking about homosexuality, about the dangers of falling, about fallen wicked people like Alan Downing, George Rekers, Ted Haggard, John Paulk, and about people fighting the good fight like Peter LaBarbera, about how you can always pray the gay away, and that Jesus will deliver you from it. You’ll be shouting with the rest of them. You’ll be angry like the rest of them. You’ll hate it with a most perfect hate, because it’s the part of yourself that still defies you. You’ll vent with abject venom about that sin, and you’ll be fine about doing it, because it’s the one time you can actually feel like you’re doing something proactive and fighting it in some way. It’s the only time you feel like you’re somehow winning. And you never tell anybody, and you pray that God will deliver you from it. No, you beg God to deliver you from it.

And then the night comes. Like a vengeance, the night comes.

It’s always worse when you’re left to your thoughts. That’s when you get lonely. That’s when you need it so badly, a pair of arms around you, someone to desire you, someone to feel desire for, someone to touch. That’s when you fantasize, and you try to channel it so it is who you’re supposed to dream about, and so you’re who you’re supposed to dream you are, and then you forget and you stop yourself and damndamndamndamndamn. And she’s so pretty and now you’re a lesbian? And you pray that God will deliver you from it. No, you beg God to deliver you from it. But you feel so lonely and all your instincts are firing and you can’t direct it anymore and damndamndamndamndamn.

And then you’ll be weeping, begging forgiveness, for sinning in your heart, maybe more, and vowing tomorrow will be different, and hating yourself for being so weak. “I’m the worst in the world. I’m the worst in the world.” All of a sudden, nothing can break that consciousness stream. And you cry until your head hurts and the snot covers your pillow and you pray to be delivered, and Jesus never does. You must not be praying enough. You must not be believing enough. Or maybe Jesus just can’t love someone like you. You keep waiting, but he’s stood you up. It goes on and on until you’re so exhausted that sleep finally accepts you.

It’s better when it’s someone else. It’s better when you witness to the gay kid at school. You tell him that if he prays, God will deliver him from all of the confusion. And you remind yourself of the same. When you’ve prayed enough. When you’ve done enough to fight homosexuality in the world. When you’ve cried enough. When you’ve believed enough and stopped having those seconds of doubt. When you’ve hated yourself enough. When enough years have gone by of enduring the suffocating 24/7 perpetual emotion machine.

Someday.The nightmare begins in the morning, awakening to Your

Same Old Reality™ again; afraid, ashamed, torn. Today will bring another fall, you fear, yet you steel yourself against it, determined to resist all temptation. You say a prayer…


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Fifteen months ago HIV Edmonton launched the seven component Legacy Project, a 25th Anniversary initiative aimed at “raising awareness, garnering support from the media and community-at-large, and re-engaging our champions from the past.”

The Legacy Gala, a celebration and finale of the past 15 months is going to be help at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald on February 20th. Tickets are now on sale.

The Legacy Project has had a successful run. It ran with such notable events as the Distinguished Speaker Series highlighted with a talk by Dr. Elizabeth Pasini, a world-renowned epidemiologist specializing in HIV/AIDS. Other speakers included Richard Elliott, from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, and Storytellers Blanket with Val Gervais.

There was the Big Gay Bar Challenge, The Body Mapping Exhibit, and performances by such diverse talent as Jeffrey Straker and Chloe Albert.

Another initiative of the Legacy Project was the launch of the coffee table book, Around the Kitchen Table: 25 Years of AIDS in Edmonton. The book is a commemorative look at the past 25 years of HIV Edmonton, and is filled with pictures and stories of the trials and tribulations of this Edmonton staple organization.

The Legacy Gala is sponsored by TD Bank Group and Viiv Healthcare, and is in partnership with Shire Canada. There will be a dinner and wine sponsored by Yellowtail Wines. According to Joyce LaBriola, HIV Edmonton’s Development and Communication Director, “HIV Edmonton’s favourite, The Big Breakfast Boogie Band, will be playing, and you can bid on items in the amazing silent auction.”

The Big Breakfast Band is described as an eclectic group with a “collection of Soul, Jazz, Swing, and Blues from one of Edmonton’s most entertaining, creative, and in-demand ensembles.”

Adds LaBriola, “The Legacy Gala will be held in the Empire Ballroom and will celebrate the accomplishments of the agency, reflecting on a quarter century of AIDS work in Edmonton, as well as showcasing highlights from the Legacy Project, the agency’s 25th anniversary celebration held over the last 15 months.”

The evening begins with a reception at 6pm, followed by Dinner and Program at 7pm. The dance begins at 8:30pm.

A celebration for HIV Edmonton like this has not been held since The Black and White Affair and Art of Living events had their finale in 2004. Formal attire to black-tie is required to attend. The ballroom will be dressed in a blanket of black and white with splashes of red. Tickets for the event are $50.00 or $500.00 for your own table of ten, and all proceeds go towards all the programs hosted by HIV Edmonton.

HIV Edmonton’s Legacy GalaA Wrap Up to a Fabulous Project

Community

The Legacy GalaFairmont Hotel MacDonald - Empire Ballroom Sunday, February 20, 2011 www.hivedmonton.com



Apollo Friends in Sport has granted the wish of many women in Calgary by sponsoring SPYKE! Women’s Volleyball from January 9th to April 17th.

Sue Bossley, creator of SPYKE!, was interested in starting an all-women’s volleyball league after much feedback from the Lesbian community of Calgary. It was apparent that many of the women in the community were seeking an all-women league as it was often less intimidating for new players, and would provide a rare all-woman space for athletics.

She generated interest in the event through a posting on Facebook. After much discussion, and a negotiation amongst members, a day of the week was decided, and negotiations with Apollo began. A location was finally secured and SPYKE! was born.

This is not a new event that Bossley has organized. Last year, she created BYKE!, a bike riding group for women interested in getting out and about in the spring and summer for some fabulous bike rides. This venture was a success, and continues to run in the spring and summer. Information on BYKE! can be found on its Facebook page.

Apollo Spyke! Women’s Volleyball is held on Sundays from 7 to 8:30pm at the YWCA Downtown. Skill levels range from novice to beginner and all women are invited to participate. It is meant to allow women to have fun while getting fit and enjoying the game of volleyball.

Attendance is growing every Sunday as word gets around. Bossley is happy with the attendance and is excited about the future.

Fees are reasonable, and get less expensive with higher attendance. In order to participate in any Apollo events, an Apollo membership is required. This costs $20.00 a year, and you can purchase it either at the Spyke! event or online from Apollo’s website.

The Drop-in Fee, as mentioned, is dependent on attendance, and ranges from $5 to $8 per person. If you are a non-member, you can try out the event for $10.00 a night for a maximum of three nights. The drop-in costs cover facility fees.

Sue encourages people to come and try it out. “It is fun! It is a great way to meet other people in your community. It is also a comfortable setting to learn a sport you’ve always wanted to try, or renew your interest in it.”

To find out more about on Apollo’s SPYKE! Volleyball for Women, look for it on their Facebook page under or contact Sue Bossley by E-mail.

Apollo SPYKE! Women’s VolleyballA Women’s Only Event!

Apollo SPYKE! Womens VolleyballJanuary 9 to April 17, 2011. (No game on February 20) Sunday`s, 7:00-8:30 p.m. YWCA Calgary: 320 5th Avenue SE [email protected] www.apollocalgary.com





for several cycles of your event, and you are likely to see people coming out earlier and staying longer.

Finally, event organizers need to get over whatever frail egos they may have, and take a realistic look at what things work well, and what things don’t. If they truly don’t understand why they aren’t getting the response they expected, then they need to understand why. There is always a reason. To do this, they need to stop snubbing the people who don’t show up, the people who leave dissatisfied, even the people who criticise them directly. Instead they need to ask why, and what they could have reasonably done to make it worthwhile; consider it, and act to improve on their event.

So in conclusion, drag time is no longer a cute excuse that warrants a “drag queens will be drag queens” shrug. It’s disrespectful to the people who come out to see a show, and it’s destructive to the venues that host. No time is just as bad, if not more likely to set patrons up for disappointment.

It is high time to stop wasting people’s time and return to a way of doing things that can make organizers, performers, venues, patrons – everyone – happy again.

Reader Survey 2011This section of my publisher’s column grew so long that

we decided to split it off into its own article. Read it on page 26.

2011 Media Kits and CalendarsSuffice it to say, I had a “fun” time crunching numbers

from our Reader Survey and other sources in order to update our 2011 Media Kit. Thankfully it is something we only need to update once a year.

Our Media Kit is a booklet of information that lists our ad prices, publishing deadlines, reader demographics, and other information that helps advertisers get a sense of who we are as a magazine, and who we reach for readers. The difficult part of providing detailed, accurate, and well-founded information is, of course, the upkeep. Despite our best efforts we ended up completing this project a bit later than we had hoped, however I am pleased to announce now that this information is available from the Advertising section of our website.

Part of the delay came from a new initiative this year that we have released at the same time as the new Media Kits: the GC&E Magazine - Community Wall Calendar. Mainly this is intended as a resource for businesses, to help them with planning around major community events throughout the year (not to mention keeping on top of our publishing deadlines).

Many businesses will be receiving a free copy of this calendar over the next month, however if you want to ensure that your business is on our list, or if you feel you may need more than one, please contact us – we’ll be happy to arrange it for you.

An electronic PDF of the Media Kit and Calendar are available for download from the Advertising section of our website – click the “Media Kit 2011” link in the left-hand sidebar:

http://www.gaycalgary.com/advertiseWe have already received requests from individuals who

want calendars of their own, and we will look at how to handle these requests once we have produced enough to satisfy our list of local businesses. If you don’t want to wait, however, you’re more than welcome to retrieve the calendar from our website and print it for yourself.

CommunitySome highlights from January 2011 were:

• OUTtv held a launch party for Season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race here in Calgary at Club Sapien. Season 2 winner, Tyra Sanchez, was in attendance and performed two numbers to a busy Friday house. Read the interview with Tyra on page 54.

• The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose, Edmonton’s Imperial Court, braved treacherous highway conditions (okay, they said it wasn’t that bad) to put on an amazing show at the Twisted Element. It was a tribute to the television show Glee, that included a backdrop, costumes, a big variety of performers, choreographed group numbers – all set to hit songs from the Glee soundtrack. If you missed this for the crappy weather, then pooh on you.

• The Calgary Eagle held their launch party for Straight to Diva, where we met two of the three contestants. They are related – stepfather and stepson – so this should be an interesting competition.

• At the ARGRA Dance on January 29th, Calgary’s own Big Rock Brewery was announced as the new Title sponsor of the 2011 Rodeo.

Coming up this month:• The Calgary Eagle celebrates their 9th Anniversary on

Saturday, February 12th.• Team Edmonton is holding their annual mixer on

Saturday, February 26th. See their ad for more details.• The main event for Straight to Diva is coming up this

February 20th. Don’t forget to buy your tickets. Proceeds from this event go to HIV Peer Support and the AIDS Calgary HEAT program.

Dear GC&E Magazine,I cannot believe how stressful it is living in Alberta, what with

the cold weather and the constant threats and intimidation I face in my quest for gender reassignment surgery. I sent a bouquet of flowers to “Chastity” Bono (Cher’s daughter and now son) along with a note when he became legally recognized as a man, or “Chazz” Bono in a California court. Why can’t I get the same respect here in my quest to do the reverse and switch from male to female?

Cabinet Ministers (including the Premier) get unlimited free health care without restrictions and quite often get pushed ahead of regular citizens if they know the right Doctors to call. I think that’s reasonable as the sooner they get well, the faster they can get back to governing and ensuring continuity for our citizens. So if former Health Minister Ron Liepert were to ask for gender reassignment surgery to become “Ronita” or “Veronica” Liepert, he would get it, no questions asked. I ask you how is that fair?

Graciously, Walter Dean Blake

Editorial - From Page 6

Letters to the Editor




stage and don’t give 110% because we know that it goes a heck of a lot quicker than it ever starts. People are in for a great show.”

This tour will have one challenge for Mates, as it is the first tour he is away from his son, born last year.

“Thank god for iChat and Skype, it is nice to see a face on the screen instead of just a voice on the line. He can’t talk yet but if I can see him on the computer, that is better than not seeing him at all. …It is going to be difficult, no question about it, because I have been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with him since he was born. It is a whole new part of life but it drives me a little bit more. It is not just going on the road anymore, it is with another purpose to support a family and have something that my son can look back on in 15 or 20 years and be proud that his dad was part of something that was small at the beginning and grew into something big.”

If the name Emerson Drive only sounds familiar, you have likely heard them on the radio or seen them open for acts like Shania Twain. You may have also seen them as the Cabarat performers at the ARGRA Rodeo in 2007.

“We had a blast. It was the first time we played it and it was one of those things where you just don’t know what to expect. We walked away thankful that we had the opportunity to play it. It comes down to people that love music, it doesn’t matter if you are straight or gay. There were people there singing the words from the very first song to the end. If you can have music that hits people in the right way that is a huge plus. None of us feel any different because we all have friends that are gay. To be able to accept and embrace it is a powerful thing. It is nice for people to know we are not out to judge people we are here to do our job and play music. Straight or gay, like it or don’t like it, that is completely up to you.”

The album includes the song When I See You Again and its video, which are a tribute to Patrick Borque. He took his own life on September 26th, 2007, one day shy of his 30th birthday. His death affected the band and added another layer to their music that resonated with others who have lost loved ones.

“It comes back to the age we are at now. We got started when we were teenagers in school and signed a record deal in our early 20’s. …We are now in our thirties and you get to a different place in your life. Things become important that weren’t there before. The music and lyrics that have been written in the past few years showcase what we have gone through in the band, with personal relationships with our wives and children, and losing a member of the band to suicide. These are all building blocks that make up

the core of Emerson Drive as a band, character, and sound. …It adds to the structure and foundation of what we are. We have always been blue collar, hard working Alberta guys and that hasn’t changed. We just have a few more scars to show people and talk about.”

The song Moments is in a similar vein, as a man contemplating jumping off a bridge is reminded by a homeless man of the important moments in his life, and decides not to jump after all. The song was the most played country music song in Canada in 2007 and the band received a lot of feedback about how it influenced people.

“It is still one of the most amazing sides of a song, and what it can turn into and become when it hits someone the right way. When the song was first released to the radio it only took a few weeks before we started hearing incredible feedback [because of it]. That is the amazing thing about music and lyrics: sometimes it just takes over, there isn’t much you have to do if it is a great message and if it resonates in people. That was one of those songs where, once it went to the top of the charts, we got e-mails day after day after day, people coming to us at shows and meet and greets and telling us their stories and how they interpreted the song. Everyone has a different situation that they go through and sometimes music can help that person through [their life]. If it is someone in the army, someone who loses someone close in their family, someone who is gay and going through a tough time being accepted, these are all pieces of what people take from music. The power of it is amazing because it can change someone’s thinking 180 degrees, turn them right back around.”

Interview - From Page 9

Interview - From Page 52

Emerson DriveA Decade of Drive available February 8th. www.EmersonDrive.com

On TourFebruary 25th – Century Casino, Calgary February 26th – Myer Horowitz Theatre, Edmonton


“We aren’t great at writing songs on the road, we have to go home and deflate in order to be creative and start writing a new record. We are always envious of bands that can write on the road, come off tour and go right into the studio. We need that time home, a lot of stuff [singer] Scott [Anderson] sings about is relationships and things he goes through in life that doesn’t happen on the road. So you have to live a bit of both to be creative and make songs that mean something to other people. You can only do so many songs about living on a tour bus.”

Life Turns Electric is the band’s fifth studio album, and takes a different sound from previous collections.

“It is not as heavy, more rock and roll / classic rock feel to it than some previous records. It doesn’t have as much angst, or as dark. It comes from where we are in our lives right now. When we were making the record we came off a really successful album and tour for Them vs. You vs. Me. So when we started writing, spirits were high and the songs had a really uplifting feel. We made the record in New York and the pace there added to the excitement of the record. So it is the most classic rock record we’ve made.”

Going into writing, the band had to deal with the monster that became the song Paralyzer. Instead of feeling pressure to create another hit of that caliber, the band just focused on putting out the best album they could.

“You are lying to yourself if you are not aware of how huge that song was. We have been around as a band for so long, we never knew that Paralyzer or One Thing were going to be

big hits. What we have always trusted is our own instinct, and the only pressure we put on ourselves is to write great songs and make a solid record. As long as we achieve that, we’ve done our job and the rest is a gamble. Radio changes so quickly and dramatically, one day something could be a hit and the next day it’s not. We put pressure on ourselves to make a good record of potential singles. That is what the last album was and that is what Life Turns Electric is. …We’ve made a record we are proud of and happy with whatever results happen. Just creating it and having it out there is already successful for us.”

It seems at times that Finger Eleven’s music is everywhere. From WWE wrestling to video games to shows like Scrubs, Smallville, Third Watch and Gossip Girl, the band’s songs have become a staple of pop culture.

“They just kind of come to us. We have been lucky, we are with wind-up records in New York, that really helped bring people to us. We don’t know how it comes to be that we are asked, we just know we are thankful. It is nice to be part of things you are into. We are all big gamers in the band so attaching yourself to games, movies and TV shows you are into is special.”

Finger Eleven established themselves in the 1990’s. If you look at their peers at the time, bands like Moist, The Tea Party, The Matthew Good Band, and many others are no longer together or performing. For the original band members to have gotten together in high school and endured 22 years together is a pretty remarkable achievement.


Finger ElevenLife Turns Electric available now. www.FingerEleven.com

Apollo Fun Boot CampTuesdays: 7-8:30pm, Sundays: 10:30am-12pm Platoon FX (1351 Aviation Park NE) www.apollocalgary.com

On TourFebruary 4th - MacEwan Hall, Calgary February 5th - Edmonton Events Centre



Community

Apollo Boot campBoot camp Doesn’t Have to Be Scary


Are you ready to brush up on your hardcore military techniques? What about sending your kids to tough-love wilderness camps celebrated by Maury Povich’s television show? Not your cup of tea? Well, read on because this is a boot camp that is meant to be fun, and doesn’t involve a stint on daytime television.

Fitness boot camp has received a bad rap. Stories of exhaustion, aches, pains, and sweating your butt off tend to describe this group fitness regime. These stories are all true, but usually left out are the rewards. Boot camp is an invigorating class of interval training that involves running, weight training, strength training, push-ups, sit-ups, and any other exercise that can benefit participants.

Apollo, Friends in Sport, Calgary’s only GLBT athletic group is offering a boot camp class two days a week.

Apollo’s Fun Boot Camp offers a supportive environment for people to get healthy and fit. There is no minimum fitness level required in order to to attend. In fact, all body types are welcome and encouraged to come.

Platoon FX, a brand new training facility for indoor and outdoor boot camps will host Apollo’s Fun Bootcamp. Described as an “adult playground,” Platoon FX describes themselves as, “rather than being littered with a bunch of machines that no one uses, or does half the work out for you, our facility is only outfitted with the best functional equipment to help you reach your fitness goals.”

Platoon FX also offers top of the line fitness equipment and training, nutritional and health related counseling, mixed martial arts, a fitness retail outlet, and a café. Apollo members who sign up for boot camp receive exclusive access to all of these.

Dakota Hart will be the instructor for Apollo’s Fun Bootcamp. Hart is the University of Calgary’s Head Coach of aerobic gymnastics, World Sportaerobic Silver Medalist in 2004, Group X City Director of World Health Club Edmonton, and Canadian National Gymnastic Sportaerobic Champion.

A current member of the boot camp offers nothing but praise for this class. “I thought boot camp was going to be sort of a military training. But after the first day I realized two things: the facility has an amazing amount of equipment such that we end up doing so many different things and, Dakota is an extremely good trainer. Both make it a fun way to improve shape and fitness.

Registration for boot camp can happen in a number of ways. You must be a member of Apollo

to take part in this class. Membership is $20.00 and can be purchased along with your class registration, or online at Apollo’s website.

To get a 10 visit punch card it will cost you $122.00. Each visit entitles you to attend Platoon FX and use any of their facilities.

If you are willing to take the plunge and commit to a whole month, it will only cost $82 per month. This will allow you to have full access to the facility and all it has to offer, as well as admission to Apollo Fun Boot camp.

Many New Year’s resolutions focus on weight loss and fitness training. It is already February. How far have you come with your resolution? Why not take part in a workout guaranteed to keep your New Year’s promise?

“We are lucky to be a bunch of best pals that make music together. I would like to think if we weren’t doing this at this level we would still be getting together evenings and weekends after our day jobs and jamming together in our garage. The one thing that really stuck with this band is the enjoyment of making music together, and that has just gotten stronger as each band member has gotten stronger at their instrument. We are all just good friends who enjoy spending time together making music. We have always tried to not make this a big corporate venture, it is about getting out on a bus and playing rock shows.”

“We have always tried to keep that fun element to it and I think that is what people do get from the band. They sense that we are having a good time up there and giving our all. We really enjoy what we are doing.”


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Seeking Employment in Customer Service or a Bar/

NightClubSeeing employment vibrant customer service atmosphere, or in a Bar/Nightclub. 5 years experience in customer service industry, with Marketing background. Have worked on high-end cruise lines, and as server at a gay night club in Edmonton. Available to work in either Edmonton or Calgary. Open availability, call anytime after 6pm. 780-782-1144. Resume available, e-mail: [email protected]

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By Chris Azzopardi

Hear Me OutGeorge Michael, Natasha Bedingfield

Strip MeBy: Natasha BedingfieldMy Rating: ½

So that pocketful of sunshine might be hurting Natasha Bedingfield more than she thought. She’s stamping smiley faces all over her third U.S. release, sounding like she’s written the soundtrack for a late ’90s chick flick; but her “journey of hope” seems less like an exploration and more like a destination she’s already reached. “Little Too Much” is so cute you can practically see Julia Robert’s pearly whites in it. The reference might seem dated, but everything about Strip Me is – from how generic it sounds (even producer Ryan Tedder, with the gimmicky title track, gives Bedingfield the same drumbeat he’s criminally bestowed upon Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson) to how blandly safe it is. Even the elementary lyrics go way back with clichés about playing a lover like a musical instrument – in this case, on “No Mozart,” a piano. What really sours Strip Me, though, is the uncharacteristic vocal lunges Bedingfield throws herself into during the disc’s almost-unlistenable last half, particularly on the overreaching ballad “Recover,” where she really wants you to feel what she’s singing – even if she has to scream it to you.

Faith (Special Edition)By: George MichaelMy Rating:

When he wasn’t setting his own monkey free, George Michael was singing about it. The single “Monkey” was, and remains, one of the weakest tracks on this classic – but on a 10-song album full of diamonds, it’s like getting a pearl. With the fantastic remaster of Faith, the British pop star’s genesis from boy band to sexually liberated solo act, the rerelease of the 1987 watermark shows an artist in bloom, boldly pushing buttons (“I Want Your Sex” would still turn heads today for its unapologetic straight talk) and setting the stage for a legendary career. The timeless hits – “Father Figure,” the title track and one of the best ballads of all time, “One More Try” – are all intact on one disc; the other two, a DVD and another CD, include corresponding music videos and rarities packaged with a hard-bound book of interviews and photos. A very candid, in-depth chat from the late ’80s is the highlight on the DVD; another, “Music, Money, Love, Faith,” is an interesting behind-the-music making of. Both features add perspective to a masterwork that remains not only an era marker, but – even now, 24 years later – one of immaculate pop prowess. (Out Feb. 1)

Also Out No Boys AllowedBy: Keri Hilson

You know something’s up when a song features an “anus/famous” rhyme. The sad part is that said line, courtesy of a Nelly cameo on “Lose Control,” will go down as the most memorable moment of the siren’s second album, a drab follow-up to 2009’s In a Perfect World. So much of Hilson’s pop-soul sophomore CD slips through the cracks (sorry, couldn’t help it) that we’re left with a middling album of hookless sonic slop whose only triumphs are the ones with the most attitude.

Live in LondonBy: Regina Spektor

No offense to Regina Spektor, who impresses during her first live release, but the DVD is a mess. Shot in 2009 with what appears to be webcams, it does no justice to this folk-bending talent who is completely absorbing during her set, also available on an accompanying CD. “Samson,” one of her best, is sadder and sweeter live – and you can’t help but love the buoyant bounce of “Folding Chair” – but the real surprise is the unreleased “Love, You’re a Whore,” a cheeky country closer.

The Love EPBy: Corinne Bailey Rae

Didn’t see this one coming: the “Put Your Records On” soulstress doing Prince? Yep, Rae gets funky on the sexy “I Wanna be Your Lover” as part of this digital-only release of covers for Valentine’s Day. Her silky-smooth voice works magically, and it’s cool to hear her cut loose just after her very serious The Sea. Other tracks on the EP include the haunting rocker “Low Red Moon” and the sweet Paul McCartney & Wings song “My Love.” Put this record on, for sure.

Music Review


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By Jason Clevett

Finger Eleven drummer Rich Beddoe has mixed feelings about the band’s cross country tour (bringing them to Macewan Hall on February 4th and the Edmonton Events Centre on February 5th). On the one hand, he is excited to be performing shows for their loyal Canadian fans. On the other hand, driving across the country in the winter isn’t so much fun.

“We we do a lot of tours in Canada in January and February. It is a great time to go out because not a lot of bands are coming to those cities to play. We get such a welcome reception from people for rolling into cities in the middle of winter,” he said over the phone. “It is cold on the bus - I just got a nice new sleeping bag for Christmas that I can’t wait to use on the bus. We just did a tour in December and I was freezing…so you have to adjust and dress appropriately. You get used to it. We have had buses in the past break down on highways in the winter, I had better knock on wood that it doesn’t happen.”

The Edmonton-raised Beddoe is excited to be coming home but also has a certain fondness for Calgary. In support of their 2007 album, the band played Calgary five times.

“Calgary has been one of our favorite places to play. It is a real rock city and some of the best crowds we have. We have been there so many times because we really like coming. We always have the most fun in that town so it is always on the list to get there and play. I grew up in Edmonton and there is just a different energy in Calgary that I can’t explain. You can definitely feel it from the stage...”

In addition to songs from their new album Life Turns Electric, the band will mix in fan favorites like One Thing and Good Times. A band that has always focused everything onstage, Beddoe says to expect the same level of show that Finger Eleven has become known for.

“We are really excited for this tour because we just had a break over Christmas, so we are re-energized and ready to go. We have a really good package together a great set list, with a bunch of old and new songs. The lighting package we have is really cool…it will be a fun, energetic night.”

In July 2008, Beddoe’s band mate James Black was interviewed for GayCalgary, and talked about how important being on the road was to him. Beddoe provided his own outlook on balancing home life with touring.

“It sums up who you are. You live day to day on the road and your habits really revolve around being on the bus and in hotels and on stage every night. When that ends and it is time to make another record, you really need time to deflate and get back into living at home for awhile. It is always a little difficult on everyone in the band to get used to that. At the same time our wives would like us to be home. Finding a balance somewhere in the middle is what is most healthy.”

“We spent two and a half years on the road and at a certain point you burn yourself out a bit. I hope with this record we can find a balance between being at home and getting re-energized and being out there playing shows. The older you get, the more you appreciate being home, but we have always been road dogs. We love being out there and playing and that lifestyle is what has been normal for us.”

Finger Eleven Rock OnwardsVeteran Canadian band hits the road with Life Turns Electric



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By Jason Clevett

With the launch of the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, airing Mondays on OUTtv, the previous season winner Tyra Sanchez recently left the warmth of her Atlanta home to embark on a cross-Canada promotional tour. Prior to her January 29th appearance at Club Sapien in Calgary, we caught up with Tyra over the phone.

She told us about how, initially she didn’t want to apply for the show. As fate would have it, a friend stepped in and sent her on her path to victory.

“I enjoyed doing drag but a friend of mine went behind my back and sent in the application for me. When they called about me doing a video I thought it was a joke. I did the video and three weeks later they selected me to be on the show. With not having anywhere to stay and sleeping on my drag mother’s floor, of course if I was selected to be on a TV show I was going to go ahead and do it. It was a chance to win $25,000 and exposure. It ended up being a life changing experience.”

Up to the last minute, there was doubt in her mind.“Going to the final episode, I thought that I wasn’t going to win.

I thought I would be like Nina Flowers, who had never been in the bottom two but didn’t win. I was like Oh My God I am going to

The Other TyraDrag Race winner Tyra Sanchez goes cross country

follow in her footsteps! …When Ru said my name I forgot to breathe, I was overjoyed and overwhelmed.”

Tyra had advice for future contestants as well.

“Just be yourselves, do what is asked of you but make sure the judges still see you. You can challenge yourself to do different things but at the same time be yourself while doing those things. There wasn’t a difficult challenge for me. The Rock n Roll challenge was harder because I can’t sing, but I knew I can’t sing. I had immunity so I just went out and had fun.”

Being able to provide a home and support for his son is a big part of why Tyra is determined to maximize her Drag Race victory.

“My son is with me now, I see him every day. When I travel out of town his Mom comes and stays at the house and watches him. We work together as a team.”

She has been busy since the show making guest appearances, working on a planned TV show, and touring across Canada and possibly the UK. Being the next drag superstar comes with high expectations for performing live.

“I just make sure that I am relaxed. When getting ready in makeup and stuff, I make sure everything is in order and on schedule. I know how long it takes to do my makeup and hair and I don’t want to be rushed, I want to relax and meditate while getting ready.”

The queens seemed to clash a lot over the course of the show, and in the Untucked episodes that aired afterward. But Tyra says, on the whole, the experience brought contestants closer together.

“What everyone saw was the truth. It did leave out a lot of the good parts and showed the bad parts for ratings, but the good parts outweighed the bad parts. We got along and were happy a lot of the time, we were really good friends.”

Interview

RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 3OUTtv, Monday nights at 8:00pm www.outtv.ca



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Opening night was highlighted by burlesque and a drag queen troupe performance, as well as appearances by spoken word artists. Of the 30 submissions received by the TBTN team, 15 local artists were selected to contribute work to the February show - three of whom are male.

“We do have some dudes in the show,” Burgess says. “The male perspective is important as well in this situation.”

The selections committee, composed of respected artists and women’s advocates active in the community, adjudicated the submissions based on the “general quality of the work and artist’s skill, keeping with the theme of the image of a woman and how it is used for society’s purposes,” Burgess explains. “How the world views us; how they see women at first glance.”

Some material submitted was very “Sexually charged,” Burgess says. “We didn’t want to objectify anybody, but then realized that objectification is a part of how society views [women].”

The show aims to exemplify “the pain and tribulations that come along with womanhood” through textiles, painting, sculpture and prints.

On February 12th and 13th, the Market Collective has generously donated space for some of the artists selected in the Take Back the Night Marquis Room Show to showcase their pieces, as well as any additional works of their choosing.

A number of the selected artists will donate proceeds of any sale made at the Marquis Room to the TBTN committee.

Burgess says based on the success of this month’s event, we could be seeing an annual TBTN event take place every February.

“If the community demands it, we’ll keep it going in future years,” she says. “Women’s issues, body issues – these issues are still important to women everywhere.”

Calgary’s annual Take Back the Night march is slated for late September, though the firm date cannot be announced until 60 days prior to the event; City of Calgary rules.

Janine Eva Trotta

On February 3rd, the doors of the Marquis Room opened for the Take Back the Night Calgary committee’s first fundraiser for the annual march that has taken place every fall for the past 23 years.

Last year’s Take Back the Night (TBTN) march was funded by a one-time Arusha grant, while this year’s budget is hoped to be collected through the month-long art show, inspired by the theme “Body Image: Beyond the Female Body”.

“It’s the first fundraiser we’ve ever done,” says Juliet Burgess, chair of the TBTN Calgary committee, regarding the evening of “general mingling and having of wine, talking about art.”

The Take Back the Night Calgary grass roots committee was founded just two and a half years ago.

“We have a great committee of cool ladies involved in the art scene,” says Burgess, noting the crew is keen on other issues too.

“We’re really supportive of trying to get across the importance of queer issues in this show as well… to illustrate the gender spectrum in the program,” Burgess continues. “I think everyone in the committee but one of us is queer.”

Take Back the Night Art FundraiserEclectic Art Showcase Hopeful to Fund September’s March


Community


Drag Queens & Divas at Hooliganz Pub, Edmonton

Photography

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Photography

PopSex! at Alberta College of Art - CalgaryARGRA White Party - Calgary

Apollo Registration Kick-off Party at Club Sapien - Calgary


Photography

Carnal Desires at FLASH - EdmontonTD Canada Trust Networking at Club Sapien - Calgary

Tyra Sanchez at Club Sapien - Calgary


Photography

Snowballs Ski Weekend - Banff Photos courtesy of Mike Stansberry


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Documents

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine - February 2011