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#274 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015
OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS
CATHOLIC SCHOOL
BLOCKS GAY PROJECT
7
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2 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
Roundup
XTRA
OTTAWA’S
GAY & LESBIAN
NEWS
#274 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015
Published by Pink Triangle Press
PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Brandon Matheson
EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR Matthew DiMera
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Andrew Jacome
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Jeffrey Luscombe, Aefa Mulholland, Phil
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Naughty and
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Editorial
Holiday Christmas
extravaganza
By Andrew Jacome 4
Feedback 4
Xcetera 5
COVER ILLUSTRATION
BY PAUL DOTEY
ondailyxtra.com
One in 10 people are
gay? Not even close
Dispelling the stigma
of HIV
Debra DiGiovanni
talks about life in LA,
depression and gay fans
Putin, porn and erectile
dysfunction
Video: Gay man
discusses using PrEP
MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM
Upfront
Catholic school board blocks
gay rights project 7
On the cover
Sweet relief
Many LGBT programs still need
financial help 8
Out in the City
Arts roundup
Jerk It reading, Filthy Dirty Art
Show, and holiday parties 17
VIDEO:
YouTube’s
sexy sensation
Davey Wavey
Heritage apartments
fit for
a queen
www.andrex.ca
www.andrex.ca
What’s On 18
Xposed
By Zara Ansar 20
Daily Xtra Travel
Winter cruises 22
Yoga retreats 24
dailyxtra.com
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 3
Comment
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comment dailyxtra.com & facebook.com/dailyxtra
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The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian
people daring together to set love free.
Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3.
Andrew Jacome is Xtra’s associate
editor.
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Those videos are horrifying. This campaign operates in a moral universe that
is diametrically opposed to the one in
which nearly all Canadians live. These
are people who place a greater value on
the sexual freedom and pleasure of the
HIV infected over and above human
life and human health. And they are
prepared to say almost anything, to attack and blame everyone under the sun
— including victims and the police — in
order to protect the sexual freedom of
the infected.
This is what happens when you live
in an ideological bubble. Their ideology
tells them that one must never be “sex
negative” and must never “stigmatize”
anything related to HIV. Well, homiFO
R
186 CLEARVIEW AVENUE
#273 NOV 13–DEC 10, 2014
THE
@dailyxtra
So 130 people have been charged, but
how many have gone to jail? How many
had malicious intent and how many
were the victims of soured trysts in
which the law is used to club your former partner [“Thinking Twice About
Reporting HIV Nondisclosure,” Dec 3,
dailyxtra.com]? I would imagine more
of the latter than the former, and for the
most part I trust the justice system to
sort one from another. I understand that people who are
living with HIV sometimes don’t disclose. The right response to that is
to continue to do what I always do,
which is to assume everyone is potentially HIV-positive and protect myself
through condom use.
facebook.com/dailyxtra
The holidays have a
f u n ny r e l a t i o n s h i p
with time. When I’m in the throes of
summer, I fantasize about December
delights. Cozy sweaters, Starbucks’
sugary simulated gingerbread and
Christmas lights all seem like magical
wonders.
But then winter comes around and I
remember why we try so hard to make
December as charming as possible:
the bitter cold. Gone are the days of
lazing about outdoors, watching cute
guys stroll by in tank tops and shorts
(both of which seem to be made with
less and less fabric as the years go by).
Come winter, it’s a miracle if you even
make eye contact with someone as you
both slosh to your destinations.
It’s probably why everyone’s favourite winter pastime, whether they
admit it or not, is staying indoors; my
early Christmas present to myself was
a subscription to Netflix to facilitate
my hibernation. Flicking through title
after title, I’m amazed that during
all my wishful-December thinking I
forgot my true winter love: Christmas
television. There’s a lot of schlock out there.
Eve’s Christmas (get it? Her name is
Eve, and it’s Christmas), starring Clueless actress Elisa Donovan, is about
by Maria Menounos? Perfection. I understand that Mindy is not supposed
to be a likable character — she’s absurd
(no one ever falls in love at Christmas, a trope the show is poking fun
at) and abrasive — but you can’t help
but laugh along with her. Like when
she declares that free gifts are only
okay “if you’re like a poor mouse in a
Christmas special or something.” This
is also the episode where her hunky
co-worker Danny dances to Aaliyah’s
“Try Again,” so that should be reason
enough to watch it.
Orange Is the New Black, “Can’t Fix
Crazy”: Unless you’ve been living in
a bubble devoid of great pop culture,
you’ll know OITNB is Netflix’s crown
jewel. Piper may be the show’s (boring,
neurotic) protagonist, but the supporting players consistently steal the
show. “Can’t Fix Crazy” is the Season
1 finale, where conflicts and lesbian
relationships come to an explosive end.
It isn’t a feel-good, cheerful episode.
Like Home Alone before it, Christmas
is merely the catalyst for scandalous
antics. Our plucky lady inmates are
staging a Christmas pageant; things
don’t go as planned (of course), and
it ends with Piper taking out her aggression on a fellow inmate’s face.
“Can’t Fix Crazy” cemented OITNB
as must-watch television.
However you decide to spend your
holidays, all of us at Xtra hope you have
a safe and enjoyable one. Have an extra
glass of eggnog for us.
ISSUE
8
dailyxtra.com
EDITORIAL
ANDREW JACOME
a plucky New Yorker who makes a
Christmas wish to travel back in time
because, gosh darnit, Christmas makes
her realize she should have married
her loser boyfriend instead of pursuing
her successful career. It was filmed in
2004, before feminism was invented.
Lifetime’s sole purpose is to pump out
movies like Eve’s Christmas, and while
there’s certainly an audience for it, it’s
not my cup of tea. So I thought I would
share my favourite holiday specials of
yore, in case you need a break from
watching Love Actually for the 20th
time.
Lady Gaga and The Muppets’ Holiday
Spectacular: Yes, it’s an obvious plug for
Gaga’s Artpop, but Holiday Spectacular
is like an IV of glitter directly to your
eyeballs. There are more blonde wigs
and outfit changes than you could possibly keep track of — exactly the kind of
element Miss Piggy excels in. A close
second choice is obviously The Muppet
Christmas Carol, but Gaga makes this
variety show special so absurd, it’s
hard not to enjoy it. Maybe if they ever
recast A Christmas Carol, Gaga could
star as the ghost of Christmas past.
The Mindy Project, “Christmas Party Sex Trap”: Watching narcissistic
and self-deluded Mindy Lahiri plan
a Christmas party is great enough.
Having her use the party as a tool to
seduce her crush is genius. Having her
rendition of “Santa Baby” be upstaged
FEEDBACK
More at
Holiday Christmas extravaganza
cide — whether intentional, reckless
or negligent — should be stigmatized. CHARLES
DAILYXTRA.COM
Rainbow projects
Being left-handed, black or being gay is
just as natural [“Ottawa Catholic School
Board Wants to Resolve Gay Project Issue,” Nov 29, dailyxtra.com]. It is a rare
occurrence to fall in love and to hold
that person in your heart and be loved
in return. It is something that should
be celebrated! If it’s between two guys
or two girls, all the better. It takes even
more courage to defend that love.
GRANT MACDONALD
DAILYXTRA.COM
Funny how only when people start
talking about cutting public funding
for private religious education it gets
their attention.
EUGENE MENDELEV
FACEBOOK
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XCETERA
NEVER SAY NEVER
Bravo, Barilla
One year ago, Guido Barilla said he’d never use gay people to
pitch his pasta products, adding that if they didn’t like it, they
could forage for their fettuccine elsewhere. The company has now
done a 180, not only featuring a lesbian couple on its website, but
establishing diversity training for staff, expanding health benefits
for LGBT workers and giving money to gay rights causes.
LEGAL LOOPHOLE
PERFECTLY PLAYED
PROPAGANDA
Alyona Fursova and Irina Shumilova turned up at a
St Petersburg, Russia, registry in their finest bridal
whites and tied the knot — gay-propaganda laws
and gay-marriage ban be damned. Shumilova, who
identifies as transsexual, is still listed as male in
official documentation and took advantage of that
technicality to marry Fursova.
Vikki Reich (back right) and her
family, in Barilla’s Share the Table
campaign. VIKKI REICH
QUOTABLE
It used to be the
love that dare not
speak its name
and now it’s
the love that
won’t shut
the fuck up.
Bette Midler talks about how
gay is “sort of ordinary now” in
an interview with The Advocate.
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Upfront
You would never tell a Jewish organization that their
drop-in services should be run by the Catholic Church. Jeremy Dias 8
School reconsiders gay rights project
Principal initially
told students their
Grade 6 socialjustice topic was
inappropriate
ways to best meet the needs of their students.”
Disappointed with their principal’s decision,
Quinn and Polly mounted a small, silent protest of
their own, attending school in rainbow-coloured
clothes with small rainbow flags painted on their
hands Nov 12. They said that a majority of their
classmates support them.
Maloney pointed out that the school had,
inadvertently, taught the kids a lot about social
justice. “I said to the principal that I think that
our girls have learned more about social justice
in the last four days than they ever would have
doing any kind of project. They have 11-year-olds
talking about gay rights.”
On Nov 28, Hurley released a statement saying
that Beauchamp would meet with the two Grade 6
students and their parents. Quinn and Polly may
get to do their project after all.
“Our concern about the age-appropriateness
of the original subject matter for Grade 4 and 5
students was driving our decision to disallow the
presentation of the subject by the Grade 6 children,” Hurley wrote in the new statement. It is not
EDUCATION
HG WATSON
When Quinn and Polly decided to choose gay
rights as the theme for their social-justice project, they had no idea the lesson they were about
to learn.
The pair — both Grade 6 students at St George
School, a Catholic elementary school in Ottawa
— told Xtra that they approached their teacher
earlier in the school year asking if they could
choose gay rights as the topic for their project
that would be displayed at a school social-justice
fair in January. Pending the approval of principal
Ann Beauchamp, the teacher saw no problem with
their chosen topic.
But there was a problem. Beauchamp allegedly
barred them from completing the project, telling
both the students and their respective mothers,
Ann Maloney and Kate Hamilton, that gay rights
was an inappropriate topic for their project.
“I was really angry,” Quinn said.
“We just want to do a project so people can learn
about [gay rights],” Polly added.
Maloney and Hamilton, who later met with
Beauchamp on Nov 17, allege that the principal
indicated that the Ottawa Catholic School Board
(OCSB) would not allow the project to go forward
because the subject didn’t reflect Catholic values
and was inappropriate for the grades 4, 5 and 6
students who would attend the social-justice fair.
Maloney was surprised the appropriateness
of the project was even broached. “Of course it’s
going to be age-appropriate — she’s 11,” Maloney
said. Hamilton also questioned whether the OCSB
actually supported this decision.
After calling St George School to speak
with Beauchamp, Xtra was directed by school
staff to contact Mardi de Kemp, manager of
communications for the OCSB. Xtra left messages
with OCSB chairperson Ted Hurley, who also
advised, via voicemail, the reporter to contact
de Kamp, and with St George’s trustee Betty-Ann
Kealey, who did not respond.
The OCSB released an email statement in
response to Xtra’s inquiries saying that it has
a “rich family life program that addresses all
Our concern about the
age-appropriateness of
the original subject matter
was driving our decision to
disallow the presentation
of the subject.
OCSB CHAIRPERSON TED HURLEY
Ann Maloney’s daughter Quinn displays a rainbow flag she drew on her hand to protest her school’s
decision to veto her and a classmate’s research project on gay rights. COURTESY OF ANN MALONEY
aspects of human relationships and family life
in an age appropriate manner. The curriculum
stresses the dignity of each and every person and
teaches that there are many ways to be a family.” In 2012, the government of Ontario passed
the Accepting Schools Act, which requires
schools to promote a positive and accepting
environment for all pupils, including students
of any sex, sexual orientation, gender identity
and gender expression.
Gary Wheeler, a spokesman for the Ontario
Ministry of Education, told Xtra in a Nov 26 email
that the OCSB is in the best position to comment.
“Our expectation is that school boards comply
with the Education Act, which requires them
to provide safe, inclusive and accepting school
environments that support the achievement
and well-being of all students,” he wrote. “We
encourage schools and boards to work with their
students, parents, staff and communities to find
clear whether the board supported Beauchamp’s
original decision.
Hurley added that it is clear Quinn and Polly’s
project is meant to combat bullying of gay people
and noted that Pope Francis has indicated that he
is in no position to judge the LGBT community.
“The core message is that gay rights are a human
right and that the underlying attitudes that have
led to discrimination need to be addressed in
school and in society as a whole.”
Maloney had not yet had a chance to tell
her daughter the good news when she spoke
with Xtra on Nov 28. She was thrilled to hear
that the school board wants to resolve the issue.
“It never occurred to me that they would change
their mind,” she said. Maloney was scheduled to
meet with St George administrators Monday, Dec
8, after Xtra went to publication.
“The support that we’ve had has been fantastic,”
she said of Quinn and Polly’s new online fan base.
“We feel we’ve made an important point.”
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 7
COVER STORY
FRIENDS IN NEED
Despite gains in LGBT rights, queer-run programs
need financial help as much as they ever have
ADRIENNE ASCAH ILLUSTRATIONS BY PAUL DOTEY
E
mpowerment. Community.
Hope.
Those are the kinds of
uplifting words that come
to mind when we think of
the work LGBT charities
do, but less lofty words like
“money” and “funding” are
essential to a charity’s success and its very existence.
“I think Jer’s Vision, PTS
and Ten Oaks... we look like we’re really strong and really professional and
really well-established, when really it’s
always a struggle to pay bills, hire on
new staff and meet the demands of our
community,” says Jeremy Dias, founder
and executive director of Jer’s Vision. “I
think donors don’t always realize how
much need there is out there.”
Because of the great strides made in
LGBT rights over the past few decades,
Dias says, many community members
are under the impression that life is
pretty good for queer people these days
— and while it might be for some, others
need support services more than ever.
Since the late 1970s, there have been
considerable gains for LGBT rights in
Canada. Beginning in 1977 in Quebec,
nationally in 1996 and finally in Alberta
in 1998, sexual orientation was added to
provincial human rights codes and the
Canadian Human Rights Act to provide
8 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
legislative protection from discrimination. In 2005, same-sex marriage
became legal in Canada. From Calgaryborn pop stars Tegan and Sara to trans
superstar Laverne Cox on the cover of
Time magazine, LGBT celebrities talk
about their identities with pride. While
LGBT people have achieved great success in diverse fields, huge obstacles
remain for queer and trans people,
particularly youth.
Bill C-279, which would provide trans
Canadians legislative protection from
discrimination, passed in the House of
Commons last year but is still languishing in the Senate. According to Egale’s
2011 national report “Every Class in
Every School,” 70 percent of all participating students reported hearing
homophobic comments daily in school.
More than one in five LGBT students
reported being physically harassed
or assaulted because of their sexual
orientation. Among trans students,
49 percent reported being sexually
harassed and 74 percent were verbally
harassed about their gender expression.
Suicide is the second leading cause
of death for people aged 15 to 34, with
disproportionately higher numbers
among queer and trans youth. According to Statistics Canada, two-thirds of
hate crimes reported in 2012 that were
motivated by homophobia were violent.
I
t’s against this backdrop of homophobia, transphobia, violence
and inequity that Jer’s Vision, PTS
and Ten Oaks offer support for LGBT
people and their families while also
endeavouring to inspire change. Jer’s
Vision provides anti-bullying workshops for schools and community organizations. PTS, which was founded
in 1984 and was the first registered gay
charity to gain tax-exempt status in
Canada, has LGBT support services and
social groups and is campaigning to end
youth homelessness. Ten Oaks offers
summer camp programs for children
and youth from LGBT families.
Funding these charities is no small
feat. Jer’s Vision receives about a third
of its funding from the provincial and
federal governments, a third from corporate donors and a third from community members, Dias says.
When it comes to municipal funding,
Capital Pride received $34,500 in 2013
under the City of Ottawa’s cultural and
festival funding. PTS, which began its
current three-year contract with the
city in July, received $118,899.84 in
renewable community funding from
the city in 2013.
PTS has some financial stability
thanks to municipal funding. However,
lack of adequate funding from other
sources led to Claudia Van den Heuvel,
We look like
we’re really strong
and really professional
and really well-established, when
really it’s always a struggle to pay
bills, hire on new staff and meet the
demands of our community.
JEREMY DIAS, FOUNDER AND
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF JER’S VISION
the organization’s executive director,
taking a voluntary layoff in May.
“We are the only for-queer, by-queer
organization in Ottawa that serves
queer people of all ages, and I chose to
put the need for our programming and
to maintain staff over my own needs,”
Van den Heuvel told Xtra at the time.
She returned to help PTS prepare
funding applications, but in November
the organization announced her permanent departure as executive director.
“PTS has been a family to me, so it’s
sad that financial circumstances have
made it necessary for me to move on to a
new phase in my professional life,” Van
den Heuvel said in a statement, adding
she plans to do volunteer work for PTS.
Seeing PTS struggle raises the question: if you’re queer, do you have an obligation to support queer organizations?
“I think obligation is a strong word,
but I think there’s a missed opportunity
when we don’t give back to our community,” Dias says.
H
olly Wagg, co-founder of Ten
Oaks and co-chair of the organization’s development committee, has a different perspective.
“A lot of queer organizations
think that queers should fund them just
simply because they’re a queer organi-
Community members want ...
a safe space in which to explore
and have other people who
identify similarly to them to
provide some mentorship around
resources and experiences.
CLAUDIA VAN DEN HEUVEL,
FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PTS
I think obligation is a strong
word, but I think there’s a missed
opportunity when we don’t give back
to our community.
HOLLY WAGG,
CO-FOUNDER OF TEN OAKS
zation,” Wagg says. “You need to move
past that in your fundraising. Nobody is
going to fund you simply because you’re
a queer organization.”
Community members support PTS,
Jer’s Vision and Ten Oaks by volunteering, giving donations and attending
fundraisers. Van den Heuvel stresses
that community members are doing
their part and PTS has to pull in more
money from grants and foundations.
“I believe that funding organizations,
which often have a mandate to support
marginalized communities, need to take
a look at their mandates compared to
the amount of funds they are providing,” she says. “It seems contradictory
to say that the LGBTQ community is a
significantly marginalized group and
then provide such a small amount of
funding.”
A
s Canada nears the 10th anniversary of legalizing same-sex
marriage, Dias says many people
have the perception that the
biggest battles have been fought
and won in the LGBT community, leading to a decrease in funding.
“The highest point of donations to
queer organizations was pre-same-sex
marriage, and since then we’ve seen
[donations] slipping because there’s
this attitude that things get better, when
really things don’t get better for a lot of
people,” he says. “I think organizations
like Jer’s Vision, PTS and Ten Oaks are
expected to do the work of mainstream
organizations for a fraction of the cost
and with less support.”
Wagg, whose day job as a fundraising
consultant with Good Works means
she “lives, eats, breathes and sleeps
raising money for charity,” doesn’t see
it that way. Although she acknowledges
fundraising is an ongoing challenge, she
says it’s actually a good time for LGBT
charities.
“The LGBTQ community, by many
funding organizations, has been iden-
tified as a priority community, which
means now there’s actually, in our experience at Ten Oaks, more money
available to us simply because of the
population that we serve than there
was 10 years ago,” she says.
That said, although the money is out
there, whether your organization gets
some of it is a different story, she says.
Convincing donors to give you grants
takes time and expertise, and charities
don’t always have the resources to do
their best fundraising.
The “conundrum of every small charity in Canada” is choosing how much
time you put into your programming
versus your fundraising, she says.
Dias agrees it’s difficult to find time
to focus on fundraising. “We invest so
much time and energy into programming that sometimes we forget how to
cultivate a donor,” he says. “Not being
a mega charity like others, we don’t
have that machine to get our message
out there.”
Wagg says it’s crucial that charities
don’t underestimate the time and expertise required to attract and maintain
secure funding. Still, even when the
need is identified, charities often don’t
have the resources to do adequate fundraising, she says.
“They don’t have the money to hire
a professional fundraiser or even
somebody just to have oversight of the
fundraising program, which creates a
chicken-and-egg problem,” she says.
“If you don’t have the money to hire
the fundraiser, you can never grow your
fundraising dollars in order to be able
to hire the fundraiser in the first place.”
Diversification is your friend when
it comes to securing stable funding,
she adds. “You need to make sure that
you’re pulling in money from a variety
of different sources so that if one of
those sources dries up you can pull
from somewhere else,” she says. “We’ve
always had a very diverse funding structure. We have individual donors, major
donors, event-based fundraising. We
do grants.”
P
TS is working to diversify its
funding. Still, municipal funding to queer organizations remains important, says Catherine
McKenney, who was elected
city councillor for Somerset Ward in
October following Diane Holmes’s
retirement.
“We need to consider the funding
of LGBTQ organizations and assess
if the support they currently receive
is sufficient,” McKenney says. “PTS,
together with other organizations like
the Ten Oaks Project, Around the Rainbow at Family Services Ottawa and
Youth Services Bureau, are crucial in
our community as they are often the
first point of resources for many — including young queers and those who
are new to the community — and they
need our support.” While Youth Services Bureau, along
with Centretown Community Health
Centre, offers support services to LGBT
community members, Van den Heuvel
says it’s not the same thing as accessing
support from a queer-run organization.
“There is a need for LGBT services
to be provided by LGBT community
members,” she says. “Our community
comes to these services in times of
need, when they are coming out or at
the beginning of transition, and that
extra amount of sensitivity is needed.
Oftentimes, community members want
a place where they can be assured that
their identity or orientation will be
supported, respected, [and they’re]
provided a safe space in which to explore and have other people who identify similarly to them to provide some
mentorship around resources and
experiences.”
Wagg agrees it’s valuable for LGBT
people or people from LGBT families to
receive support services and programming from LGBT organizations.
“Our program exists because there’s a
need in the community, and it continues
to grow every year because there’s a
need in the community,” she says. “For
children of LGBTQ families, meeting
somebody who has a family structure
like theirs... You should see the power
when those kids connect for the first
time and realize that they’re not alone.”
For Dias, there is no substitute for the
effectiveness of support services offered
to LGBT people by LGBT people.
“There’s a real need to support queerrun services,” he says. “You would never
tell a Jewish organization that their
drop-in services should be run by the
Catholic Church. In that same vein,
queer organizations shouldn’t just be
expected to fold into mainstream services. We should have our own support,
and we should have our own strengthened community.”
Wagg adds that whether your donors
are queer or allied, what’s key is connecting with their emotions, to make
the suffering of others real to them, and
then demonstrate how your charity is
helping to alleviate that suffering while
effecting positive change.
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 9
Trivial pursuits
Beat the winter blues with a roll of the dice
GAMING
ANDREW JACOME
Winter: it’s the time of year when even
the most mundane task seems next to
impossible if it involves going outside.
It’s not even the cold that’s the worst
part (though it is pretty bad) — it’s
that going outside involves at least 10
minutes of prep work before you even
leave the house. Throw in the pressure
of having to find the perfect gift for
everyone in your life, and suddenly the
idea of hibernating like a bear until it’s
spring seems like a genius idea.
It can be hard to connect with friends
and loved ones when all you want to
do is burrow into bed. That’s why Dave
Gordon, from Strategy Games in Ottawa, has an easy solution: board games.
“Different folks have different reasons for liking board games,” Gordon
says, but it seems the holidays are
always a good reminder for people to teamwork skills these days.”
unplug and reconnect. “Christmas sees
Working together doesn’t have to
a large spike in business. Board games be against a game; even something as
are a good family activity to engage in simple as laughing together is enough.
over the holiday reunions.”
Cards Against Humanity is a party
Horror stories of families being torn staple for this reason alone. “It’s popuapart by Monopoly are a dime a dozen — lar because... the game releases the
some people can’t even look at a thimble players from any moral boundaries,”
without quivering in rage — which is Gordon says. “It was even marketed in
why cooperative board games are seeing a brash, cool and honest manner that
a surge in popularity. Rather than sav- appealed to a lot of people.”
aging the people you love
It’s also a rare game that
most or imagining tearing
works better when there
STRATEGY GAMES
out their throats because
are cocktails involved.
250 Bank St
you landed on Boardwalk
There are a few places
strategygames.ca
again, Gordon suggests a
where you can play a game
game where players work
and buy a drink. Monopolatte (640 Somerset St W) features
toward a common goal.
“A cooperative game is one where all a monthly mystery beer along with
the participants are on the same team,” the claim of more than 750 games inhe explains. “Their goal is to win or house. The Loft (14 Waller St) houses
lose as a team against the game. There just as many games, and employees
seems to be more of a premium put on are more than happy to come to your
Board games are a great way for people to reconnect during the holidays. THINKSTOCK
table to recommend games and explain
the rules. Think of the vibe at these
places as less like bars that feature
board games and more like board-game
libraries that feature bars.
Strategy Games
250 Bank Street
(located north of Somerset Street)
www.strategygames.ca
613.565.3662
Games & Accessories
Fun Board Games
that make you think!
But if you want to avoid the noisy bar
atmosphere, pick up a bottle of vino
and a game to take home instead. It’ll
be that much easier to collapse into
bed later.
Happy Holidays!
Present this ad for 20% off your next purchase! Valid until December 31st, 2014.
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Bilingual Sales Representative
10 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
Phone: 613.818.8091
E-mail: [email protected]
2 MINUTES TO CHURCH ST
OR THE SUBWAY
ALL OF TORONTO
IS AT YOUR DOORSTEP
Paul Lafleur BSc RMT
REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST
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TORONTO, ONTARIO M5B 2E9 CANADA
Hotel Front Desk: 1-416-977-6655
www.holidayinn.com/TorontoCentre
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services slightly
left
613-231-3396
www.PaulLafleurRMT.com
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text Aids/HIV text
Gift Certificates make the perfect Christmas gift!
One lawyer, yours. Putting you first.
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Family Law
Civil Litigation
Wills & Estates
Immigration Law
Notarial Services
Reduced rates for wills and
powers of attorney for people
living with HIV/Aids.
tel: 613-261-9024
[email protected]
www.AndersonLawyers.ca
Over
800
board games
play as long as
YOU WANT
all for $5
THE BEST OF
GAY & LESBIAN
OTTAWA — ON
YOUR DESKTOP
AND ON YOUR
MOBILE DEVICE!
Check out the digital
edition of Xtra Living at
xtralivingottawa.com
The Loft Board Game Lounge
14 Waller St
www.theloftlounge.ca
@TheLoftOttawa
Bring this in to
get a free latte
on the house!
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 11
!
Celebrate the Holidays with
WORKSHOPS!
Going Down: A Guide to Fellatio
5 January 2015 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Want to give your pal the blow job of their life, but aren't sure where to
start or what to do once you get going? This workshop is for you. From
basic anatomy to tips for the advanced, we'll cover a wide range of
information about the fine art of giving head. Cost: $20 ($10 sliding scale)
Jilling Off! The Ins and Outs of Solo Sex.
6 January 2015 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Whether you're a newbie to solo play, or looking to change up your usual
getting off routine, Jilling Off can give you some new ideas and techniques
to try out on your own. In this hands-off workshop we will talk about some
reasons for masturbating, breathing and other techniques for better and/or
more frequent orgasms, toys for playing alone, lube and other slippery stuff,
anatomy, and resources, as well as good one-handed reads. Open to
women of all histories and identities. Cost: $20 ($10 sliding scale)
Sale!
Knotty Fun: An Intro to Rope Bondage
12 January 2015 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Learn to tie knots and, more importantly, how to untie knots. We will also
discuss safety, buying tips, and teach you how to tie enough knots to keep
your friends tied up tight. This is an interactive workshop, and a length of
rope will be provided for practice. As an added bonus we'll be showing
off all forms of bondage gear.Cost: $20 ($10 sliding scale)
The Big O for Her! Tips and Tricks for Bigger,
Better and More Frequent Orgasms!
13 January 2015 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
So you know how to have an orgasm, but now you want MORE... in this
session you'll learn tips and techniques for multiple orgasms, g-spot orgasms,
more frequent and/or bigger orgasms! We'll talk about solo and partnered
play, as well as lots of fun toys and
tools you can use to enhance your
orgasmic experience.
Cost: $20 ($10 sliding scale)
Boxing Week Sale! Dec 27-31st!
New, extended end of year sale!!
20% off all* in-stock merchandise from December 27th until December 31st!
First come, first served, get there early if you've got your eye on something fancy!
*Sale excludes We-Vibe products, Diva Cups, art, magazine, and zines.
Discounts do not apply to special orders or items on hold. No other discounts apply.
Bonus - use promo code hohoho13 to get 20% off online at the same time!
ART!
PARTY!
Venus Envy Anniversary Party #14!
Babylon Nightclub
Saturday, January 31st
Doors at 10:30, tickets on sale at VE and online
as of January 10th!
$10, nobody turned away due to
lack of funds.
All proceeds to the
Venus Envy Bursary Fund
2nd Annual
Filthy Dirty
Art Show!
Saturday, January
3rd, 8-10pm
Featuring live painting by
Art Battle Champion Allan André!
Over 15 artists will be showing and selling their
work, with proceeds to the Venus Envy Bursary Fund!
Artists include Jaime Koebel, Beki Elk, Ima Ortega,
Robbie Lariviere and more!
Show will be up for the month of January.
Free!
Easier Than You Think: Talking to your kids about
bodies, relationships and sexuality
18 January 2015 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Children have a lot of questions: “Where do babies come from?” “What
makes boys and girls different?”, “Why do people kiss?”. Answering them
and sharing your values may seem scary but it all takes is a little know-how
and practice. Join sex educator and mom, Nadine Thornhill for a fun, factfilled workshop that gives you the tools you need to make it easy to talk
with your 3-8 year-olds. You will learn what kids of that age need to
know, when and how to have the conversation and what to do when their
questions catch you completely off guard!
By the end of this workshop you’ll be able to have “the talk”...without
anyone blushing! This workshop is open to people of all genders, sexual
orientations, family and relationship structures.
They Grow Up So Fast: Talking kids ages 912 about bodies, relationships and sexuality
19 January 2015 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Many parents believe their child’s sex education should begin at
home. But what do you say? Are tweens too young to starting learning
about topics like consent, dating, sexual and gender diversity or sexual
health? Evidence shows that youth who receive straightforward information
early, are more likely to make positive sexual decisions when they are
older. And establishing a pattern of open, continuous conversation
around sex can lead to deep trust between parents and children. Join
sex educator Nadine Thornhill for a lively, fact-filled session that will
show you how to teach kids today, so they can make positive choices
tomorrow. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have the tools you need to
become the best sex ed teacher your kid has ever had!
I’ve Got Your Back: Talking to teens about sexuality
20 January 2015 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
As youth move through their teen years, they begin making significant
decisions about their sexual readiness, relationships and health. Teens often
turn to peers and media for information about sex, but the importance of
parental trust and support cannot be underestimated. In this workshop, you
will learn how to talk with your teen about personal choices, healthy
relationships, social media and safer sex. You will also learn how to
keep the lines of communication open so that your teen knows they can
come to you when they need you.
Join sex educator Nadine Thornhill, for a lively workshop that will show
you how to support your teen as they make the transition from child to adult!
This workshop is open to people of all genders, sexual orientations, family
and relationship structures. Cost: $20 ($10 sliding scale)
Find us:
Twitter – venusenvyottawa
Facebook – Friends of Venus Envy Ottawa
Instagram – venusenvyottawa
226 Bank Street. 613-789-4646. To order: 877-370-9288 or www.venusenvy.ca
12 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
XTRA’S
DISARONNO
WEARS
VERSACE
Designed by Versace,
this limited-edition
bottle of Disaronno liqueur is
great for anyone who likes to
get tipsy in style.
$30 lcbo.com
Y
A
D
I
L
O
H
DOROTHY AND
TOTO COOKIE JAR
Dorothy and her faithful pup
keep your cookies safe
from the Wicked Witch
of the West.
$45 retrofestive.ca
E
D
I
U
G
The world is cold and beautiful.
As the heavens bequeath tiny, ornate
crystals and those precious flakes drift
peacefully earthward, you think,
What the fuck? Why do I live here? And
what gifts will I buy all these people?
Well, you’re in luck: we’ve put together
some ideas. Contained within these
pages are items ranging from the filthy
to the obscure to the intoxicating.
Alleviate the despair of the season by
giving a dildo to a slutty friend, a board
game to a geeky aunt or a bracelet to
someone who likes bracelets.
—Jeremy Willard
WE-VIBE 4 PLUS
The future is here, and it’s vibrating your vagina from
the other side of the planet. The We-Vibe 4 Plus can
be controlled by your international playmates via
a downloadable app.
$190 Venus Envy, 226 Bank St
venusenvy.ca
WORK WEEK SOCK PACK
This pack of five brightly coloured pairs of socks
is perfect for men and women who want their
feet to look charming from Monday to Friday.
The weekend is your own business.
$29 Drake General Store, 73 Rideau St,
main level at The Bay Rideau Street
drakegeneralstore.ca
A-WREATH-A
DUVET COVER
Designed by artist and illustrator
Sissydude, this Aretha Franklin–
themed ultra-soft duvet cover
commands r-e-s-p-e-c-t.
$99 society6.com/sissydude
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 13
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
CARCASSONNE
A popular and relatively simple board
game named after the medieval fortified
town in southern France. There are lots
of tile pieces involved.
Strategy Games, 250 Bank St
strategygames.ca $35
SALLY T-SHIRT
PANETTONE
Baked in-house and available in lemon and dark- and
white-chocolate chunk, Italian Christmas bread is great as
a gift or for sharing around the table on the holidays.
$12–15 Bread By Us, 1065 Wellington St W
breadbyus.com
14 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
GIGI 2
Steady, unrelenting, mouth-watering
— just three of this vibrator’s eight
modes. This waterproof toy has a
G-spot-targeting head and a quiet,
rechargeable motor.
$135 Wicked Wanda’s, 327 Bank St
wickedwandas.ca
A woman’s shirt
featuring a sort of
dancing person with an
irregular head. One of
many trippy designs by
Ottawa aboriginal artist
Rob Friday.
$20 onemanparade.ca
HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE
PHILIPS SHAVER 9000
A shaver so high-tech, you might
as well have a cyborg trim your
whiskers. Includes a head that
With her latest album, Ottawa singer/
moves in eight directions and a pod
songwriter Amanda Rheaume pays
that both cleans and charges.
homage to her family’s rich cultural
$300 Canadian Tire,
heritage, including a great-greatvarious locations
grandfather who was the founding
canadiantire.ca
Keep a Fire
WHITNEY
HOUSTON LIVE:
HER GREATEST
PERFORMANCES
A CD/DVD package of
some of Whitney’s best live
performances, including her
1983 appearance on The
Merv Griffin Show at age 19.
$22 hmv.ca
father of Manitoba. $9.90. iTunes
überlube
A long-lasting, multipurpose lubricant.
Great for eliminating athletic chafing
and protecting your hair from
chlorine in the pool. It’s also great
for sex, duh. $18. uberlube.com
VEGAN FACIAL
TG1 CHEST HARNESS
Magnetic Poetry:
Queer edition
More than 200 words and word
fragments in a box! Your clean fridge
will never be the same. $15. Venus
Envy, 320 Lisgar St. venusenvy.ca
This leather chest harness is
for kinky transgender men who
haven’t had top surgery. The
leather chest strap can flatten up
to a C cup. Each harness is tailored
for the individual.
$149 aslanleather.com
LUMBERJACK SHAVING SOAP
The Lumberjack line of products keeps even the most
axe-swingingest man feeling fresh. Smelling of cedar and
balsam, with undertones of vanilla and bergamot, you’re
sure to create a stir in the lumber camp.
$12 Purple Urchin, 884 Somerset St W
purpleurchinsoap.com
This 60-minute customized facial uses only vegan
products and is highly effective in treating skin.
Relaxed, warm feeling included.
$110
By appointment only:
[email protected]
BNatural Esthetics, 336 Cumberland St
facebook.com/bnaturalesthetics
Green &
Black’s organic
chocolate
Green & Black’s organic and
fair trade chocolates always
make great stocking stuffers;
new this year are sea salt
and burnt toffee flavours. $4.
Bulk Barn stores. bulkbarn.ca
experience timeless weddings
All inclusive wedding packages from just $99 per guest
at Ottawa’s leading four diamond restaurant, golf, spa and wedding destination
Weddings from 10 to 350 guests Indoor and outdoor venues Four diamond dining from buffet, reception style and plated meals
Modern and stylish Stunning photo opportunities Preferred room rates for your guests Full service Au Natural Spa
The Marshes championship golf course Indoor and outdoor pools Expert event managers
Inquire today at 613-271-3582 or [email protected]
Five Twenty Five Legget Drive | Ottawa Ontario K2K 2W2 | brookstreet.com
AT
DAILYXTRA.COM
26MORE
DEC 12,
2013–JAN
15, 2014 XTRA!
/ Brookstreet
@ BrookstreetOtt
XTRA!
DEC 11,GAY
2014–JAN
14, 2015
15
OTTAWA’S
& LESBIAN
NEWS
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
GAIA WOODEN DILDO
Lovingly handcrafted in Ottawa by Rickard Andersson of Silvarus,
these maple dildos are beautiful as well as pleasurable.
$130 etsy.com/shop/silvarus
CATAN:
ANCIENT
EGYPT
HANDMADE LEATHER BRACELETS
Crafted by Denny Diamond, these elaborate pieces are a bracelet
fetishist’s dream. Each contains silver, copper and Swarovski crystal.
$85–110 After Stonewall, 370 Bank St
shopfad.com
The classic game
with a twist: build
Egyptian-style villages,
cities and temples. Three
to four players; three levels
of play.
$75 The Comic Book
Shoppe, 228 Bank St
thecomicbookshoppe.com
SCISSORING (9X12 PRINT )
Toronto artist Yigi Chang has this and many other
unique and shamelessly sexy prints available.
$20 etsy.com/shop/yigichang
A classic gem with a luxe
ambiance, Giovanni’s is also justly
renowned for it’s thoughtful
and extensive wine list and wide
selection of fine spirits.
WE WELCOME PARTIES OF UP TO 60 PEOPLE.
Valet Service 7 Days a Week.
www.giovannis-restaurant.com • 362 Preston St. • Reservations: 613-234-3156
[email protected]
www.focusproperties.ca
1530 Merivale Road,
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 3J7
Direct. 613.858.8210
Office. 613.254.6580
Fax. 613.254.6581
16 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
OutintheCity
Tony Adams, Cory
Thibert and Madeleine
Boyes-Manseau vet
submissions for Jerk It.
PAT BOLDUC
ADVENTURES
IN WANKING
Jerking, diddling, flicking, rubbing, grabbing, jacking, jilling, pettingwhackingsmackingtickling. Okay, some of those
are made up, but there’s no disputing the
impressive number of ways that people
masturbate. May Can Theatre hopes to
represent a range of experiences and
techniques at its upcoming Jerk It event.
May Can will collect anonymous
masturbation stories up until Friday,
Feb 6. A selection of the stories will be
read aloud a week later at Jerk It.
When they held a similar event in
March 2014, they were surprised by
the stories they got. “They weren’t all
sexy and embarrassing. Some were sad,
touching or involved self-discovery,”
says Madeleine Boyes-Manseau, resident artist at May Can. “And that’s great.
The main goal is to gather stories that
are compelling and show as large a
cross-section of experiences as we can.”
To that end, they hope some of the submissions will come from queer people.
Nobody will know who the authors
are; instead, the stories will be read
by designated readers. “It’s better that
way. Sometimes people don’t want to
tell their story if others will know they
wrote it,” Boyes-Manseau says.
For added insight and hilarity, some
stories will be read by people whose
gender doesn’t match that of the author. “Last time, I submitted one of
my stories and a guy read it,” she says.
“Having a strong male voice reading the
story of my first time masturbating was
interesting. He was unsure how to read
it, and that highlighted how fumbly and
naive I was.” — Jeremy Willard
Jerk It runs Thurs, Feb 12–Sat, Feb
21 at Arts Court Studio, 2 Daly Ave.
artscourt.ca
Check out photos from Idle Hands, Chinatown Craft Walk
and Bizarre Love Triangle Art Show. Xposed 20
Eat me!
You might think of nature as pristine
and chaste. You imagine strolling across
grass of the perfect length (mown daily
by Mother Nature to facilitate walking), while scores of doves flit through
the rustling leaves overhead. A creek
flows merrily nearby, and as you near
the sapphire-blue water a fish leaps up,
gives a jaunty fin wave and winks at you.
Robert Friday doesn’t think of nature that way. Nature is filthy. It’s dirty.
And it’s all about sex. At least that’s the
tack he took when he created his latest painting, a contribution to Venus
Envy’s second annual Filthy Dirty Art
Show. He had to find a way to make his
work — he specializes in depictions of
nature — fit with the show’s theme.
The painting is filthy and dirty in
a few senses: it depicts some of the
cruder aspects of nature — the soil and
the way creatures eat one another —
and a kinky, quasi-sexual scene.
“So, it’s an anteater,” he says. “And its
tongue enters the ant hole, and there’s
this submissive ant, and it’s sort of like
‘Eat me!’”
The piece is less open to interpretation than his other work. “I’m an aboriginal person, and this is my version
of aboriginal art,” he says. “My work is
nature-based but sort of abstract and
Robert Friday prepares for the
Filthy Dirty Art Show.
psychedelic; you might see something
somebody else doesn’t.” It’s also his first
painting with an overtly sexual element.
He chose the anteater in part because it was easy to make the animal’s
gender ambiguous. “It’s not clearly
male, female or anything in between;
it sort of transcends gender,” he says.
“It’s more inclusive, and [inclusivity]
is a big part of Venus Envy’s mandate.”
“I’m interested to see how other
artists contributing to the show address the theme. There may be a lot
of hardcore sexual pieces, which is
great,” he says. “I just thought it’d be
a whimsical, fun thing to do for the
show, having this anteater taking on
this ant.” — Jeremy Willard
Filthy Dirty Art Show opens Sat, Jan
3, and runs until Sat, Jan 31, at Venus
Envy, 226 Bank St. venusenvy.ca
Nice gifts, naughty elves
Santa’s workshop has two sides: the nice side and
the naughty side. On the nice side, the elves are toiling
away to ensure that all the good little girls and boys
get some toys for Christmas.
With the assistance of the Centretown Pub
staff, the Ottawa Knights are holding their
39th annual toy drive. The leather organization encourages folks to bring
unwrapped and unopened
toys. Cash donations are
also welcome.
All toys and funds collected
will go to the Children’s Aid Society of Lanark County.
And then there’s the naughty
side — the side that we don’t
often hear about and that Mrs
Claus avoids. It’s where the
naughty elves go to be punished by Santa.
And they love it.
PHOTOS BY DAVID HAWE
Another group of kinksters, National Capital
Leather Pride (NCLP), is looking out for their
own pleasure. After helping with the very
successful Ruff ’n’ Tumble food drive in late November, NCLP is ready to unwind with a naughty
elf-themed party.
NCLP founder Michael Tattersall hopes to see
some sexy elves scampering about. “If people want
to make their Christmas outfits more naughty, that’s
perfect,” he says. “You don’t have to dress up to participate, but it certainly helps with the party atmosphere.”
Visitors to this side of the workshop can expect some
tantalizing impromptu displays. “There’ll be people there
with floggers and people there with rope, and if we get
people with Saran Wrap, that’s even better,” Tattersall says.
“It helps brighten up your life a little bit in December.”
— Jeremy Willard
Toys for Tots is Sat, Dec 13, 9:30pm. The Naughty Elf
Party is Sat, Dec 20, 9:30pm–2am. Both events are at
Centretown Pub, 340 Somerset St W. facebook.com/
centretownpub
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 17
WHAT'S ON
Friday Fixxx
One of the most popular ladies’
nights around, featuring DJ Isabelle
Bechamp. Pre-Fixxx drag king show,
9–11pm; dancing from 10pm on.
Every Friday, 9pm–2am. The Lookout
Bar & Bistro, 41 York St. No cover
before 9pm. thelookoutbar.com
Gainsbourg Légionnaire
FOR MORE LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM
ART & LITERATURE
The Hard Cover Book Club
Men are invited to gather and
discuss The Paternity Test, by
Michael Lowenthal, Thurs, Dec
18, 7pm; and Two Boys Kissing, by
David Levithan, Thurs, Jan 15, 7pm.
Gay Zone, Centretown Community
Health Centre, 420 Cooper St. Free.
gayzonegaie.ca
Filthy Dirty Art Show
What’s filthy-dirty to you? Several
artists give their interpretation of
this potentially quite sexy theme.
Includes work by Sagine Cavé, Ima
Ortega and Robert Friday. Sat, Jan 3,
8–10pm. Venus Envy, 226 Bank St.
Free. venusenvy.ca
Naughty Bits Book Club
Book lovers discuss More Than
Two: A Practical Guide to Ethical
Polyamory. Thurs, Jan 22, 7:30–9pm.
Venus Envy, 226 Bank St. Free.
venusenvy.ca
HEALTH & ISSUES
Anonymous Drop-In
HIV Testing
The anonymous rapid test provides
results on the same visit. Every day,
1–4pm. Centretown Community
Health Centre, 420 Cooper St. Free.
centretownchc.org
The Living Room
HIV-positive people and their
loved ones are welcome to access
many resources, including a food
bank, laundry facilities, internet,
counselling and workshops.
Contact The Living Room for an
appointment. AIDS Committee of
Ottawa, 7th floor, 251 Bank St. Free.
aco-cso.ca
Spectrum
This Youth Services Bureau program
offers queer and questioning
Centretown Pub, 340 Somerset
St W. No cover. facebook.com/
centretownpub
PLAYS & MUSICALS
Pomme and ’Restes
Shipwrecked!
youth aged 12 to 25 a safe space
to socialize, discuss sexuality
and related topics, participate in
workshops, receive counselling and
more. Every Tuesday, 7–9pm. YSB,
147 Besserer St. Free. ysb.ca
Queer folks of every stamp enjoy
good company and charmingly
rustic surroundings at this queer
pub night. Takes place the second
Saturday of each month. Sat, Dec
13, 8pm. Gainsbourg, 9 Aubry St,
Gatineau. No cover. facebook.com/
gainsbourglegionnaire
Two red-nosed clowns — a boy
clown who wants to be Anne
of Green Gables and another
who always needs saving — find
themselves marooned on an island.
Runs until Sun, Dec 14, various
showtimes. Irving Greenberg
Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington St
W. $19.47–40.71. fools.ca
HIV Positive ...
Now What?
Sassy Saturday
Night Drag
Les Misérables
A discussion group for people coping
with HIV. Wed, Dec 17, 6–8pm. AIDS
Committee of Ottawa, 251 Bank St.
Free. aco-cso.ca
Queer People of Colour
DJ Lissa Monet
— Babylon, Sat,
Dec 20
QPOC of all genders, abilities, ages
and orientations meet and talk
in a supportive, open and nonjudgmental environment. Takes
place the last Tuesday of each
month. Tues, Jan 27, 7–9pm. PTS,
331 Cooper St. Free. ptsottawa.org
Capital King: Big
Holiday Party
The drag-king troupe celebrates its
last weekly show at The Lookout.
Beginning in January they will move
from weekly to monthly shows.
Fri, Dec 19, 9:30pm. The Lookout
Bar, 41 York St. $3. facebook.com/
canadascapitalkings
LEISURE
& PLEASURE
Naughty Elf Party
Lesbian and Bisexual
Women Speed Dating
After the rigours of the Ruff ’n’
Tumble food drive, National Capital
Leather Pride lets loose with a sexy,
naughty elf-themed party. Sat, Dec
20, 9:30pm–2am. Centretown Pub,
340 Somerset St W. $5. facebook.
com/centretownpub
Approximately a dozen single
women enjoy a series of mini-dates.
Sat, Dec 13, 7:30–9:30pm. Kinki, 41
York St. $40. singleandeligible.com
Toys for Tots
The Ottawa Knights’ 39th annual
toy drive benefits the Children’s Aid
Society of Lanark County. People
are encouraged to bring cash or
unwrapped and unopened gifts. Sat,
Dec 13, 9:30pm. Centretown Pub,
340 Somerset St W. Free. facebook.
com/centretownpub
PTS Holiday Potluck
The community comes together
through the sharing and eating of
food. RSVP required. Thurs, Dec
18, 7pm. PTS, 331 Cooper St. Free.
ptsottawa.org
Seniors’ Bowling
Queer seniors 50 and older and
their friends are invited out to bowl
The stage is festooned with feather
boas, glitter and drama, with two
shows nightly and a lineup of drag
queens, followed by dancing to
music by DJ Kitty Funkalicious.
Every Saturday, 10pm–2:30am.
The Lookout Bar, 41 York St.
No cover. thelookoutbar.com
Oh My Jam
a few frames. For more info, contact
[email protected]. Takes place
the second and fourth Monday of
each month. Mon, Dec 22, and Mon,
Jan 12, 6:30pm. West Park Bowling,
1205 Wellington St W. $3 per game;
free shoe rental. ospn-rfao.ca
MUSIC
Quite a Queer
Qhristmas
Three choirs — Tone Cluster, the
Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus and In
Harmony Women’s Chorus — team
up for a non-traditional Christmas
concert. Sat, Dec 13, 7:30pm.
Centretown United Church, 507
Bank St. $10–20. tonecluster.org
NIGHTLIFE
Thursdays Are a Drag
Zelda Marshall hosts a night of
performances by drag queens, drag
kings and burlesque dancers. DJ
Bill spins progressive house. Every
Thursday, 10:30pm. Swizzles, 246B
Queen St. No cover. swizzles.ca
DJs Lissa Monet and Debonair spin
hip hop, R&B, dancehall and reggae
for a crowd of sexy queers. Sat, Dec
20, 10:30pm–2:30am. Babylon
Nightclub, 317 Bank St. $7 before
11:30pm. thequeermafia.com
Centretown Pub New
Year’s Eve Party
Revellers ring in the new year with
party favours and champagne
at midnight. Wed, Dec 31, 8pm.
Ain’t Seen Noth’n Yet’s production
of the timeless musical about exconvict Jean Valjean’s quest for
redemption. Includes such wellloved songs as “Bring Him Home”
and “I Dreamed a Dream.” Runs
Thurs, Jan 29–Sun, Feb 1, various
showtimes. Centrepoint Theatre,
101 Centrepointe Dr. $48.25–66.25.
centrepointetheatre.ca
SEX & BURLESQUE
Jerk It
As part of the Undercurrents
Festival, May Can Theatre invites
people to submit anonymous
masturbation stories to be read at
an event in February. For more info,
visit artscourt.ca/events/jerk-it-2.
Strip Cheese III:
Return of the Cheese
Koston Kreme, Lana Lovecakes,
Gracie Klutz and others present a
burlesque homage to rock anthems,
power ballads and love songs.
Sat, Dec 13, 7:30–11pm. Maxwell’s
Bistro, 340 Elgin St. $15.
maxwellsbistro.com
Almost New Year’s
Evening of Sin
There are few better ways to
welcome a new year than with a
nice round ass or breast waving
in your face. Tues, Dec 30, 9pm.
Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray St.
Details to be announced on
facebook.com/aneveningofsin.
Submit your event listing to [email protected].
Deadline for the Jan 15 issue is Tues, Jan 6.
Contemporary Cuisine.
A heritage stone
building rich with
atmosphere.
Reservations welcome.
18 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
XTRA AND ELEVATION PICTURES
BRING YOU A CHANCE TO WIN
A PAIR OF TICKETS TO
THE IMITATION
GAME
ON THURSDAY, DEC 25.
To enter, send your name and phone number to contests@dailyxtra.
com, with “Contest: The Imitation Game” in the subject line, before
Thursday, Dec. 18. Some restrictions apply.
Only winners will be contacted.
OTTAWA’S
GAY& LESBIAN
NEWS
The name
just about
says it all
ottawamensyoga.ca
THE BEST OF
GAY & LESBIAN
OTTAWA — ON
YOUR DESKTOP
AND ON YOUR
MOBILE DEVICE!
Check out the digital
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 19
XPOSED
1
3
BY ZARA
ANSAR
Lip Sync Battle
At a fundraiser held at Babylon Nightclub Nov 13, costumed competitors were judged on their lip-synching
abilities and overall performances. China Doll did double
duty as both judge and performer to help raise money for
the Ontario Lung Association. 1 Lip-synchers Luca Fiore,
left, and Eva Borojevic, centre, are presented with the
group category award by China Doll.
Idle Hands
At the Idle Hands sale on Nov 23, independent businesses,
artists and crafters sold art, clothing, décor, edibles and
more. The event was organized by Antique Skate Shop to
raise funds for the McNabb outdoor skate park.
2 Davis Khounnoraj, left, and Adam Mallory, from
Crown Flora in Toronto, show off their dinosaur planters.
3 Neve Stewart displays her knitted goods.
Closet Collective
The Closet Collective was held Nov 21 as a fundraiser
for the Ottawa School of Art, Dress for Success and St
Joe’s Women’s Centre. A number of fashionable bloggers,
entrepreneurs, stylists and socialites were each presented
with a bag ahead of time to fill with donated clothing.
4 Organizers Claudia Gutierrez and Carolyn Lacasse
with the many clothes and accessories that were donated
for the event.
2
6
4
Chinatown Craft Walk
Raw Sugar Café and Shanghai Restaurant organized
the Dec 9 Chinatown Craft Walk. Some of Ottawa’s
most talented crafters offered their handmade goods for
sale on the short stroll between the two businesses.
5 Justy Lisa Dennis and her owl creation. 6 China Doll,
dressed as Santa’s mistress. 7 Katie Hurdon and
her jewellery.
Bizarre Love Triangle Art Show
Bizarre Love Triangle was the theme for Cyclelogik’s
seventh annual holiday art show on Dec 5. Hundreds
of Ottawa-area artists participated in the event, with
Essence Catering providing delectable treats and DJ
Greg Reain spinning the tunes. 8 Andrea Stokes and
Andrea Emery get cozy in a triangle. 9 Melissa Blackman
and Delphine Sullivan are very serious.
5
7
8
20 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
9
Massage –
Certified/
Registered
Urban Escape
Massage Therapy
613-799-2900
urbanescape
massagetherapy.com
THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN OTTAWA
Adoption
The Children’s Aid
Society of Ottawa
613-747-7800
casott.on.ca
AIDS/HIV
Resources
AIDS Committee
of Ottawa
Computer
Consultants
Housing
Kasuwade
Friendly Tech
613-695-8181
johnkingteam.com
613-804-4200
friendlytech.ca
Contracting
& Renovations
Merkley Supply Ltd
John King Team
Jewellery
& Jewellers
Davidson’s
Jewellers
613-728-2693
merkleysupply.com
613-234-4136
davidsons
jewellers.com
Counselling
Lawyers
Gilmour
Psychological
Services
Anderson Lawyers
Powersports
Canada
613-224-7899
powersports
canada.com
613-230-4709
ottawapsychologists.com
Clothing – Men’s
Estate Planning
Stroked Ego
Mann &
Partners, LLP
613-238-5014
aco-cso.ca
Alternative
Transportation
613-667-3008
strokedego.ca
Community
Groups &
Services
AIDS Committee
of Ottawa
613-722-1500
mannlawyers.com
Nelligan O’Brien
Payne LLP
613-238-8080
nelligan.ca
Legal Services
Anderson Lawyers
thenewoaktree.com
Centretown
Community
Health Centre
Centretown
Community
Health Centre
613-747-7800
casott.on.ca
613-722-1500
mannlawyers.com
The New Oak Tree
Health &
Personal Care
Society of Ottawa
Mann &
Partners, LLP
Furniture
613-238-5014
aco-cso.ca
613-233-4443
centretownchc.org
613-261-9024
andersonlawyers.ca
613-233-4443
centretownchc.org
Home
Improvement
& Repairs
613-261-9024
andersonlawyers.ca
Mann &
Partners, LLP
613-722-1500
mannlawyers.com
Nelligan O’Brien
Payne LLP
613-238-8080
nelligan.ca
Mortgages
Mortgage Alliance
613-612-8400
mortgagealliance.com
Psychologists
Gilmour
Psychological
Services
613-230-4709
ottawapsychologists.com
Publications
Pink Triangle Press
1-800-268-9872
pinktrianglepress.com
Xtra Ottawa
Ottawa-Carleton
Mortgage Inc
416-925-6665
dailyxtra.com
613-563-3447
mortgages
madeeasy.com
Real Estate
Motorcycles
& Scooters
613-254-6580
focusproperties.ca
Powersports Canada
Focus Properties/
Michael Gennis
613-224-7899
powersports
canada.com
John King Team
Optical
Services
Recreational
Vehicles
Eyemaxx
Optical Studio
Powersports Canada
613-216-6076
eyemaxx.ca
Pharmacies
Shoppers Drug Mart,
Bank and Gladstone
613-238-9041
shoppersdrugmart.ca
Politicians
Office of Mayor
Jim Watson
613-695-8181
johnkingteam.com
• Prescription and General Diets
• Drop off Appointments
• Special Interest in Dermatology
• Medicine and Surgery
• Dentistry and X-ray
• Vaccination
• Cat Boarding
Dr. Emily Black
Dr. Karen Sime
Dr. Miriam Boileau
Dr. Tamara Richards
613-224-7899
powersports
canada.com
Restaurants
& Cafés
Giovanni’s Ristorante
613-234-3156
giovannisrestaurant.com
Spa Services
Nordik Spa-Nature
613-580-2424
ottawa.ca
819-827-1111
lenordik.com
Prenuptial
Agreements
Websites
Mann &
Partners, LLP
1-800-268-9872
dailyxtra.com
613-722-1500
mannlawyers.com
Squirt.org
Dailyxtra.com
squirt.org
To advertise, call 613-301-9910
or email [email protected].
Merkley Supply Ltd
#news
#arts
#travel
#events
DEC 2014–JUN
E 2015
613-728-2693
merkleysupply.com
The best of gay &
lesbian Ottawa — on
your desktop and your
mobile device!
Check out the interactive
digital edition of Xtra Living at
THE BEST
OF
GAY & LES
BIAN
OTTAWA
Feeling th
e
love at Bru
ce
House
Everything gay, every day.
Hot winter
festivals
& events
Buying
& reselling
houses
DAILY
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 21
OTT
OTTAW
AWA’S
A’S
GAY
GAY&&LES
LESBIA
BIANN
NEW
NEWSS
01_XLO2014
-2_Cover-Br
dailyxtra.com
uceHouse.ind
d 1
2014-11-28
6:32 PM
Online at
THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN OTTAWA
Brookstreet Hotel
613-271-1800
brookstreet.com
Adoption
Society of Ottawa
613-747-7800
casott.on.ca
AIDS/HIV
Resources
AIDS Committee
of Ottawa
613-238-5014
aco-cso.ca
Ian Carter – Bayne
Sellar Boxall
613-236-0535
bsbcriminallaw.com
Alternative
Transportation
Powersports Canada
613-224-7899
powersportscanada.com
Bakeries
Bread by Us
613-890-1423
Churches
The Church of St
John the Evangelist
613-232-4500
stjohnsottawa.ca
Community
Groups & Services
AIDS Committee
of Ottawa
613-238-5014
aco-cso.ca
Capital Pride
capitalpride.ca
Gilmour Psychological
Services
613-230-4709
ottawa-psychologists.com
Linda Young Insurance
Brokers Inc
613-825-1110
lindayounginsurance.com
Jerry SG Ritt,
MA OACCPP,
Psychotherapist
613-233-9669
Manotick Insurance
Brokers Ltd
613-692-3528
manotickinsurance
brokers.com
Entertainment
Camp Explora
819-423-5522
campexplora.ca
Estate Planning
Mann & Partners, LLP
613-722-1500
mannlawyers.com
Furniture
The New Oak Tree
thenewoaktree.com
Health &
Personal Care
Centretown
Community
Health Centre
613-233-4443
centretownchc.org
Home
Improvement
& Repairs
Merkley Supply Ltd
613-728-2693
merkleysupply.com
Counselling
Antoine Quenneville,
MA, C Psych Assoc
613-230-6179 x401
themensproject.ca
Lawyers
Sellar Boxall
613-236-0535
bsbcriminallaw.com
613-722-1500
mannlawyers.com
Nelligan O’Brien
Payne LLP
613-238-8080
nelligan.ca
Legal Services
613-722-1500
mannlawyers.com
Housing
Nelligan O'Brien
Payne LLP
613-238-8080
nelligan.ca
Andrex Holdings
613-238-1835
andrexholdings.com
John Shea Insurance
Brokers Ltd
613-596-9697
Merkley Supply Ltd
613-728-2693
merkleysupply.com
Davidson's Jewellers
613-234-4136
davidsonsjewellers.com
Brookstreet Hotel
613-271-1800
brookstreet.com
Society of Ottawa
613-747-7800
casott.on.ca
Contracting &
Renovations
Jewellery
& Jewellers
Hotels
John King Team
613-695-8181
johnkingteam.com
Kasuwade
Friendly Tech
613-804-4200
FriendlyTech.ca
Squirt.org
squirt.org
Sellar Boxall
613-236-0535
bsbcriminallaw.com
Centretown
Community
Health Centre
613-233-4443
centretownchc.org
Computer
Consultants
Internet
Mortgages
Mortgage Alliance
613-612-8400
Insurance
Motorcycles
& Scooters
Recreational
Vehicles
Powersports Canada
613-224-7899
Powersports Canada
613-224-7899
Optical Services
Restaurants
& Cafés
Eyemaxx
Optical Studio
613-216-6076
eyemaxx.ca
Pet Sitting
& Boarding
Place for Paws
613-446-2280
Pharmacies
Shoppers Drug Mart,
Bank and Gladstone
613-238-9041
shoppersdrugmart.ca
Physiotherapy
Vijay Sharma
Physiotherapy
613-238-8885
vijaysharma
physiotherapy.ca
Politicians
Office of Mayor
Jim Watson
613-580-2424
ottawa.ca
Paul Dewar, MP
613-964-8682
pauldewar.ca
Prenuptial
Agreements
613-722-1500
mannlawyers.com
Pride Event
Organizations
Capital Pride
capitalpride.ca
Psychologists
Gilmour Psychological
Services
613-230-4709
ottawa-psychologists.com
Publications
Xtra Ottawa
416-925-6665
dailyxtra.com
Real Estate
John King Team
613-695-8181
johnkingteam.com
The best of
gay & lesbian
Ottawa — on your
desktop and your
mobile device!
Check out the
interactive digital
DEC 2014–
JUNE 2015
Accommodations
To advertise, call 613-301-9910
or email [email protected].
Absinthe Café
613-761-1138
absinthecafe.ca
Courtyard Restaurant
613-241-1516
courtyardrestaurant.com
Giovanni’s Ristorante
613-234-3156
giovannis-restaurant.com
Mamma Grazzi’s
613-241-8656
mammagrazzis.com
Perspectives
Restaurant at
Brookstreet
613-271-1800
brookstreet.com/dining
Spa Services
Dr. Emily Black
Dr. Karen Sime
Dr. Miriam Boileau
Dr. Tamara Richards
Nordik Spa-Nature
819-827-1111
lenordik.com
Warren Chase Urban
Retreat for Men
613-241-0818
warrenchaseretreat.com
Theatre
Orpheus Musical
Theatre Society
613-729-4318
orpheus-theatre.ca
Travel
The Spa Day Retreat
thespajamaica.com
thespaottawa.ca
Upholstery
Kessels Upholstering
613-224-2150
kesselsupholstering.com
Websites
Dailyxtra.com
416-925-6665
dailyxtra.com
Squirt.org
squirt.org
Weddings
#news
#arts
#travel
#events
Brookstreet Hotel
613-271-3582
brookstreet.com/
weddings
THE BEST
OF
GAY & LES
BIAN
OTTAWA
Everything gay, every day.
Feeling th
e
love at Bru
ce
House
DAILY
Hot winter
festivals
& events
Buying
& reselling
houses
dailyxtra.com
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 21
OTT
OTTAWA
AWA’S
’S
GAY
GAY&&LES
LESBIAN
BIAN
NEW
NEWSS
01_XLO2014-2_
• Prescription and General Diets
• Drop off Appointments
• Special Interest in Dermatology
• Medicine and Surgery
• Dentistry and X-ray
• Vaccination
• Cat Boarding
Cover-BruceHo
use.indd 1
2014-11-28
6:32 PM
A world of gay adventure
Travel
Snap up a stateroom on
an LGBT cruise and sail off
into the sunset
Cruising
through
winter
AEFA MULHOLLAND
It’s that time of year again when those of us in
chillier lands eagerly eye outbound flights and
temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s
the perfect time to snap up a stateroom onboard
one of the enticing LGBT cruises about to sail off
into the sunset. This winter has some wonderful
escapes on offer for lesbians and gay men, from a
luxurious Amazonian riverboat adventure set for
deepest Peru to the marvellous mayhem of two
itineraries that coincide with the greatest LGBT
carnival of them all, Sydney Mardi Gras.
Panama Canal to
Costa Rica Cruise
Olivia’s Panama Canal to Costa Rica
Cruise, on the five-star, 148-passenger,
four-masted MS Wind Spirit, offers
ample opportunities for adventure in
Panama and Costa Rica as it sails from
Colón, Panama, through three locks of
the Panama Canal, to the UNESCOvenerated coral reef destination Coiba
Island (the largest island in Central
America). Continuing on, ports of call
include the stunning Costa Rican beaches of Golfito and Bahia Drake — with its
crags, crocodiles and tapirs — and the
rainforest town of Quepos, before it’s
time to disembark in Puerto Caldera,
Costa Rica. Onboard entertainment is
22 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
taken care of by comedian Sandra Valls
and singer/comedian Lisa Koch.
Jan 24–31, 2015
Olivia, olivia.com
Clientele: Mostly lesbian
Price: From $4,199 (all prices in US
dollars) for ocean-view cabins
Silhouette
Caribbean Cruise
Escape winter in the most luxurious way
possible aboard the 2,800-passenger
Celebrity Silhouette as she sails from
Fort Lauderdale for the warm waters of
the Caribbean. Among a host of amenities, the Silhouette boasts an incredible spa, an outdoor barbecue grill and
wooden decks. Tea-dances, parties and
Above and right, frolicking onboard
and onshore during an Olivia cruise.
OLIVIA.COM
events confetti the social calendar for
this seven-day sailing to Labadee, Haiti;
Philipsburg, St Maarten; and San Juan,
Puerto Rico.
Feb 1–8, 2015
Atlantis Events, atlantisevents.com
Clientele: Mostly gay men
Price: From $1,349
RSVP 30th Anniversary
Caribbean Cruise
The 3,500-passenger Regal Princess is
the birthday-party boat for RSVP’s big
3-0 cruise. The youthful Princess took
to the waters only in May 2014, so it’s a
shiny, new ship with such spectacular
features as a glass-bottom sea walk
(extending 8.5 metres off the side of
the ship); a vast, ornate atrium; and an
enticing Bellini bar. This cruise sails
from Fort Lauderdale and visits the
private Princess Cays, Cozumel and
George Town in Grand Cayman, before
returning to Florida.
Feb 8–15, 2015
RSVP Vacations, rsvpvacations.com
Price: From $1,059
Australia and New
Zealand Cruise Odyssey
Trot onboard Holland America’s
1380-passenger MS Amsterdam for a
week of Australian summer fun with
none other than Olivia Newton-John.
The crew of fine, funny women includes
Lisa Koch, Vickie Shaw and Karen Williams. Departing Sydney, the cruise
explores Tasmania, Fiordland National
Park, Dunedin and Christchurch, before
docking in Auckland.
Feb 13–24, 2015
Olivia, olivia.com
party boat has left Miami’s docks for
four fantastic gay days on the ocean
to celebrate Miami Pride. The boat in
question is the activity-packed Majesty
of the Seas. With parties, cocktail parties, beach barbecues and a Key West
stop en route to the Bahamas, it’s an
understandably popular departure, so
book early if you’re keen to take part.
April 13–17, 2015
Source Events, sourceevents.com
Price: From $429
Amazon Discovery
Top, the view of the sunset from a
cruise ship is always incredible. Above,
a dinner of freshly caught lobster. Left,
an Atlantis Events cruiser enjoys some
quiet time.
JEFFREY LUSCOMBE
Feb 24–March 8, 2015
Price: From $1,599
Singapore to Hong
Kong Cruise
Clientele: Mostly lesbian
Price: From $2,099
All-Gay French
Caribbean Cruise
Explore the French Caribbean on the
72-metre SV Mandalay, built in 1923
and remodelled in 2012, as she sails
from St Martin to Anguilla, Nevis, St
Barts and Tintamarre and back to St
Martin. Visit the famed Saltine nude
beach and shop on St Barts; experience
the quaint bistros and beaches of the
Dutch and French sides of St Martin;
sip daiquiris on Anguilla; snorkel, cycle
or scuba on lush Nevis; and picnic on
deserted Tintamarre.
Feb 15–21, 2015
Source Events, sourceevents.com
Price: From $1,849
Auckland to Sydney
Mardi Gras Cruise
Holland America’s floating pamper
palace, the 11-deck Oosterdam, will see
1,900 passengers board in Auckland.
The vast vessel then charts a course for
Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and
Dunedin before crossing the Tasman
Sea for Melbourne and the final stop,
Sydney, where a smorgasbord of Mardi
Gras celebrations awaits, complete with
a trio of LGBT mega-icons: George Michael, Kylie Minogue and Boy George.
Celebrity Millennium will be the floating address for 2,138 passengers for
the 11 days of Atlantis Events’ Asian
journey from Singapore to Hong Kong.
Teak decks, a solarium with a thalassotherapy pool and a gloriously indulgent
Persian-garden spa add to the luxurious nature of this cruise. After leaving
Singapore, this trip of a lifetime goes
on to explore the stunning lagoons of
Koh Samui, the cultural contrasts of
Bangkok, the French colonial sights of
Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang’s golden
sands, UNESCO-acclaimed Hue and the
1,600 islands of breathtaking Halong
Bay. The final port of call is glittering
Hong Kong.
March 29–April 9, 2015
Price: From $1,599
Miami Pride Cruise 2015
This is the sixth year in a row that this
One of three Amazon riverboat adventures on offer from Brand G this year,
but the only sailing not sold out at press
time, this all-gay rainforest odyssey
explores the world’s most biodiverse
region from the comfort of the fivestar, 32-passenger, colonial-era Delfin
II. Daily shore excursions offer insight
into the culture, wildlife and history
of this fascinating region. There are
more than 1,000 species of bird in the
Peruvian Amazon alone, plus countless
mammals to encounter. Once the riverboat portion of this adventure ends,
travellers continue on to the Sacred
Valley, near the Incan capital Cusco,
and to 15th-century Machu Picchu via
a scenic train trip.
April 20–30, 2015
Brand G, brandgvacations.com
Price: From $3,995
If these all-LGBT dates don’t rock your
boat, there are many other “affinity
group” options: organized gay groups
on mainstream cruises. You’ll find a link
to an extensive list of them in this story
on dailyxtra.com.
More on dailyxtra.com
Is taking a cruise vacation
right for you?
Tips and tricks for
high-seas cruising
‘Straight’ cruising the gay way
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 23
A world of gay adventure
Travel
Get your downward dog on
A yoga retreat
will leave you
stretched and
unstressed
includes meditation, massage, delicious
home-cooked food and use of a heated
pool, Jacuzzi, gym and sauna. Run by
the charming Mark, Tom and Nancy,
the relaxing, romantic Finca has an
enthusiastic roster of devoted return
guests who come back year after year
to this hidden gem.
AEFA MULHOLLAND
Frog Meadow, Vermont
Frog Meadow bills itself as a “country
bed and breakfast and massage oasis for
men” and runs a summer men’s gathering each July. Yoga, pilates and guided
massage-exchange sessions all star,
along with workshops and excursions to
the gay men’s beach at Rock River and
local distilleries and artisans’ studios.
Other optional activities include soaks
in the wood-fired hot tub and saunters
along the leafy trail network that surrounds the 25-hectare property.
If daily drudgery and the tasks of the day
are downward dogging your progress
toward enlightenment, limber joints
and a stress-free life, consider escaping to one of these LGBT yoga retreats
around the world.
Blue Osa, Costa Rica
Set on Playa Tamales on the idyllic Osa
Peninsula, the gay-owned and -run
Blue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa has the
glittering ocean in front and a swath
of atmospheric rainforest at its back.
Those attending the weeklong retreats
can swim in the ocean each morning and
surf between sessions.
Blue Osa also offers monthlong immersion yoga-teacher training. The next
such offering is June 19 through July 18,
2015. The next gay men’s yoga program
takes participants on a Tantra yoga
journey and runs May 23 to 29, 2015.
Kripalu Center for Yoga
and Health, Stockbridge,
Massachusetts
Sacred Sexualities, a retreat for lesbian,
bisexual and transgender women, takes
place from March 6 to 8, 2015, led by the
Reverend Irene Monroe, a lesbian feminist theologian who has been featured in
Oprah Magazine. The retreat centre is
perched on a hilltop that overlooks Lake
Mahkeenac and the woods below. The
centre is a vast 15,000-square-metre
facility on 120 acres. More than 750
programs are on the calendar each year.
Kalani, Pahoa, Hawaii
Situated close to the dramatic lava flows
of the Big Island, the LGBT-owned and
-operated Kalani offers an extensive list
of yoga retreats, many for the LGBT
community. It’s a very appealing way to
escape winter. Gay men can pick from
a calendar that includes men’s yoga
retreats, a men’s hula retreat, a men’s
yoga and massage retreat, and a men’s
tropical holiday. The New Year’s Naked
Men’s Yoga Retreat runs Dec 27, 2014
to Jan 2, 2015, overlapping with Thrive
New Year’s Retreat for Gay/Bi Men (Dec
29, 2014 to Jan 3, 2015).
Hawaii Blue Hands Yoga and Massage Retreat takes place from March 31
to April 5, 2015. Kalani offers lesbianspecific retreats during the year, as well
as popular women’s retreats, such as the
Pulse of the Radiant Feminine Heart and
the Kalani Experience. Trans guests are
welcome to participate in the year’s array of workshops and retreats, including
men’s and women’s retreats. Other Kalani workshops focus on hula, Hawaiian
24 DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 XTRA!
Over the Rainbow,
Wales, UK
Finca la Maroma, in Southern Spain’s Andalucia region, overlooks valleys of almond and olive trees.
culture, massage and performing arts.
Harbin Hot Springs,
Middletown, California
More and more gay men (and a few
gay women) are making for Middletown, just north of the Napa Valley,
in Northern California, for the slew
of workshops and retreats put on at
Harbin Hot Springs. Popular with Bay
Area naturists, Harbin has amazing
massage and yoga offerings, plus beau-
tiful trails and an enticing selection of
those eponymous hot springs. Yoga and
meditation classes take place almost
on the hour from 7am until 7pm daily,
with added bonuses such as Reiki, belly
dancing and weekend movies. Harbin is
set on 2,000 hectares, and guests can
choose to camp or to stay in tent cabins,
dorms, private rooms or cottages.
Finca La Maroma, Spain
In lovely Andalucia in southern Spain,
FINCALAMAROMA.COM
gay men’s guest house Finca La Maroma
looks out over valleys of almond and olive trees just a few kilometres from the
coast. It offers occasional yoga retreats,
such as Exploring the Heart (held from
May 3 to 8, 2015) and Rhythm and Flow
(held from May 10 to 15, 2015), both
naked men’s retreats. These book up
quickly, so reserve your places early.
Guests can add a “chill-out weekend”
before or after at a discounted room
rate. In addition to yoga, the program
Over the Rainbow is a gorgeous restored Georgian mansion on seven
hectares of woodland on Cardigan
Bay, close to Pembrokeshire Coast
National Park and the craggy and dramatic western coast of Wales. Castles,
dolphin-spotting opportunities and
quaint towns crammed with tearooms
and antique shops abound in the immediate vicinity. This vegetarian, lesbian
guesthouse is the site of several lesbian
yoga retreats during the year, run by
Jenny, one of the founders of the UK’s
Inner Yoga.
Read this story on
dailyxtra.com for live links to
many of the retreats mentioned.
XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 25
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XTRA! DEC 11, 2014–JAN 14, 2015 27

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