erving floetry

Transcription

erving floetry

MARCH 2011
ISSUE 89 • FREE
magazine
The Voice of Alberta’s LGBT Community
Boy George
Oh Boy!
Kung Fu Panties
Alberta’s Top 10
LGBT Figures
Remembering
Beauty
Part 1 of 2
Business Directory
Community Maps
Calgary • Edmonton • Alberta
Events Calendar
Tourist Information
STARTING ON PAGE 17
www.gaycalgary.com
2
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #89, March 2011
www.gaycalgary.com
Table of Contents
MARCH 2011
Photography
Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino,
B&J, Dallas Barnes, Rob Brown
Videography
Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino
Printers
North Hill News/Central Web
Distribution
Calgary: Gallant Distribution
GayCalgary Staff
Edmonton: Clark’s Distribution
Other: Canada Post
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Office Hours: By appointment ONLY
Phone: 403-543-6960
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Fax: 403-703-0685
E-Mail: [email protected]
This Month's Cover
Boy George (Photo courtesy of The Musebox),
Kung Fu Panties (Photo by Trudie Lee), Alberta
Ballet Company Artists Galien Johnson and
Sandrine Cassini in Serenade (Photo by Charles
Hope)
Proud Members of:
Edmonton Rainbow
Business Association
8
Marsha Ambrosius: ‘Hate is Hate’
Publisher’s Column
Now solo, former Floetry singer targets homophobia with first single
10 Getting into Rebecca’s Panties
Kung Fu Panties brings the action movie to life on stage
14 Remembering Beauty
PAGE 8
Mercedes Allen, Chris Azzopardi, Dave Brousseau,
Jason Clevett, Andrew Collins, Rob Diaz-Marino,
Janine Eva Trotta, Jack Fertig, Glen Hanson,
Joan Hilty, Evan Kayne, Stephen Lock, Allan
Neuwirth, Steve Polyak, Carey Rutherford, Romeo
San Vicente, Ed Sikov, Nick Vivian and the LGBT
Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and Alberta.
The “Banana Cat”
Director Jean Grand-Maître pairs a night of ballet to soothe
the Alberta soul
17 Directory and Events
24 Skating Out of The Closet: Is The NHL
Ready?
26 Atheism, Sex and Sexuality
27 Q Scopes
PAGE 10
Writers and Contributors
5
“Indulge, Libra!”
28 Deep Inside Hollywood
Lee Daniels eyes Bradley Cooper
29 Cocktail Chatter
I Get What I Deserve: The Hot Toddy and Heads in the Clouds: The
Aviation
30 Fundraising Photos
34 Road-Tripping Across Spain
Out of Town
PAGE 14
Publisher: Steve Polyak
Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino
Sales: Steve Polyak
Design & Layout:
Rob Diaz-Marino, Steve Polyak
36 Alberta’s Top Ten LGBT Figures
Part One
40 The Quest to Pee III
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association
42 Coming Out Monologues
PAGE 26
Queer students share their experiences
National Lesbian & Gay
Journalists Association
Continued on Next Page 
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Table of Contents
 Continued From Previous Page
42 Letters to the Editor
PAGE 36
43 A Couple of Guys
44 Bitter Girl
45 Jeff Martin
Tea Party singer returns with new album and band
47 Queeries
“Desperately Seeking Sex Online”
48 Classified Ads
PAGE 45
50 Chelsea Boys
51 Oh Boy!
’80s pop icon on getting clean, having a kid and why he’s an “alien”
54 SmartSilk
Hypoallergenic Bedding
55 Queer Eye
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History
Originally 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 Copyright
Opinions expressed in this magazine
are specific to the author, and do not
necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary
staff and contributors.
PAGE 51
Those involved in the making of this
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or the subjects of articles or photographs, are
not necessarily gay, lesbian, bisexual, or
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Editorial
The “Banana Cat”
Publisher’s Column
By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc.
Back in August 2010 I wrote about the ordeal that we
went through with our cat Snoopy and his close call with
life threatening bladder stones. I would love to say that
was the end of the story and that Snoopy lived happily
ever after, but unfortunately our little “snooper trooper”
had to ensure some more problems after that. I didn’t
want to write about these latest developments until we
reached some degree of stability.
After his bladder stones were removed, we had a few happy
months of reprieve where everything seemed like it was back
to normal. He recovered nicely and had just finished growing
back all the fur on his tummy that they needed to shave off
for the operation. However in October I began to notice that
Snoopy was feeling slimmer than usual. I didn’t think anything
of it.
As we were approaching our print deadline for the November
edition, Steve was in the kitchen as Snoopy was getting excited
peering through the window at some birds eating from the
feeder outside. The birds took off, and as he hopped down
from his vantage point he abruptly sat down in a very strange
position, as if he had hurt himself. He got up and walked a
few feet out into the living room before he collapsed onto his
side. Steve picked him up to make sure he was alright and he
seemed to be unconscious, but within seconds made a guttural
growling sound as he woke up again. He seemed fine afterward,
so naively we thought he might have hurt his back leg when he
jumped down, and possibly passed out from the pain.
Nevertheless it was very strange, so we kept a close eye on
him over the next 24 hours. He did seem to be developing
something of a limp to his walk, but it was more than that.
Soon it seemed like his whole body was drooping; though he
was still able to move around, he couldn’t even lift his head to
look up at us – he could only turn it sideways awkwardly. We
decided it was time to bring him to the vet, and so we put out
some treats to distract the other cats who were circling us as
we were trying to hurry things together. Surprisingly, Snoopy
growled at the other two cats so that he could have all of the
treats to himself – he normally wouldn’t touch this brand.
The vet had far worse news for us than a sprained leg.
Snoopy was experiencing kidney failure, and his blood values
showed a severe concentration of sodium, urea and creatine,
with a low red blood cell count and a deficiency in potassium
that explained his muscular problems. At these levels, the vets
only gave him a few days to live. He had lost a great deal of
weight and was down to only 3.2kg. We made the decision
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to leave Snoopy overnight so that they could try to stabilize
him by flushing his system, with the hopes that this would
help prolong his life a little while longer. I don’t know how I
managed to make the drive home, but once there Steve and I
broke down completely. It was crushing.
An ultrasound revealed that Snoopy had two deformed
kidneys that were damaged even further by the kidney stones
lodged inside. We had been informed prior, that the occurrence
of bladder stones also likely meant kidney stones were present,
but are typically inoperable – or at least, not operable locally.
After the first day at the vet Snoopy began to show some
improvement, so we kept him there longer and visited with him
every evening. After 3 days his progress levelled off with his
kidney values still at dangerous levels. So at this point, with no
other reasonable options available to us, we made the decision
to bring him home with us so that he could spend however
much time he had left in the place he was most comfortable.
We even made plans to put up the Christmas tree and celebrate
early for him.
Steve was insistent on doing everything we could to take
the strain off Snoopy’s kidneys, and so we went home with
special soft cat food and equipment to inject fluids, both to help
keep Snoopy well hydrated. I booked 2 days off work so that I
could spend time with Snoopy, but sadly for the first day our
attention was divided because of the imminent press deadline
for the November edition. However, we set up a blanket on my
desk where Snoopy could sit, along with his food and water, so
that I could keep a close eye on him while I was working. Just
having him home was a huge weight off our shoulders.
We interacted with Snoopy a lot as we worked through the
night, pushing him to eat and drink and giving him lots of hugs
and kisses. He seemed just as happy to be home - very perky
and alert, and affectionate to the extreme (even though he still
had to turn his head sideways to look at us). Steve got an idea
and did some research on the internet to confirm that bananas
are not harmful to cats, and so he began mixing some in with
Snoopy’s soft food to try and boost his potassium levels. In one
night, he seemed to be getting stronger, but we didn’t get our
hopes up.
The next day we had to do Snoopy’s subcutaneous (beneath
the skin) fluid injection ourselves for the first time. The vet
had sent us home with an IV bag of special fluids, and the
somewhat large needles used to inject them into the patch
of loose skin between his shoulder blades. We set up in our
bathroom so that the IV bag hung from our shower curtain rail,
Continued 
5
 Editorial Contd.
and I perched on the toilet to hold Snoopy while Steve did the
injection. Almost predictably, I passed out, and Steve ended up
holding both Snoopy and myself in place until the full dosage
of fluids percolated inward. These injections leave Snoopy with
a large “camel hump” of water on his back that, due to gravity,
seems to slowly shift around his body and settle as what we
affectionately referred to as “bitch tits” at the front, prior to his
body absorbing it.
Snoopy continued to get stronger day by day. By the end of
the week he was able to lift his head again. His energy started
coming back to him, which he happily demonstrated for us by
dashing around the house and playing with his toys. After we
ran through his first IV bag and had to return to the vet for
more, we brought him in with us so that they could re-check his
kidney values. The vets were completely shocked at the night
and day difference from his last visit, just in his appearance.
His kidney values had come back down to reasonable levels,
though granted still a little higher than ideal. He had started
gaining weight back, and Steve happily shared our “secret”
about putting banana in his food. As we continued to bring
him in regularly to check on his progress, Snoopy became
something of a legend amongst the ladies who worked at that
clinic. He was already known for his affectionate personality
from his past overnight stays, however they now referred to him
as the “miracle cat” or the “banana cat”.
Today, Snoopy has returned to his previous weight of 5kg and
is back to being super playful, energetic, and affectionate such
that one can’t even tell that he is sick. His kidney problems are
an ongoing condition that we have to maintain, so we continue
to keep him on his special diet (infused with banana) and give
him his injections 2 times a week (thankfully we were able to
reduce the frequency down from every day, because he can
really put up a fight now that he has his strength back).
Having such a close call really put things into perspective.
We truly feel like we’ve been given a second chance. Steve and
I know his time with us is still limited, and so we have some
simple plans to make the most of this. First of all, we spoil
him with attention even more – he absolutely eats it up, and
continues to find new ways of returning his affection for us.
Still being with us for Christmas, of course we got him some
new toys that he has really been enjoying. But finally, when
the weather gets warm again, I have plans to properly fence our
front yard so that he and the other cats can enjoy the outdoors
over the summer (more than just on a balcony), without the
worry of there being nothing between them and the traffic on
17th Avenue. It’s actually something that I promised them
when we moved from our 4th floor rental condo into our own
house, and now I have good reason not to delay any further.
It has been one of those much broader life lessons that is often
difficult to learn, except in hindsight. We’ve learned it due to
this experience and this rare blessing of time. Doing something
simple right now to benefit the happiness of our loved ones is
better, and indeed more appreciable, than anything we can do
for them after they’re gone.
Stop the Presses!
During our monthly press cycle, usually after we submit the
files to our printers, the intense stress levels we go through
drop off to something more manageable for the remainder of
our tasks. When things go smoothly, we post the online edition
and then stop by our printers in a day or two to pick up our
reserves for restocking and bonus distribution.
However, last month did not go so smoothly. When I got the
load of magazines home on Friday and opened up a stack for
our office copies, we immediately noticed that our colour pages
weren’t on the same quality of glossy paper that we are usually
printed on – it seemed like something thinner and much more
matte. As we checked through the other bundles, we found
some where the ink appeared so faded that the black areas on
our cover appeared as a slate gray. We headed right back to the
printers to talk to them about this and check the ones that were
going to our distributors. Unfortunately, as we discovered, the
faded copies were the most prevalent.
The press manager verified that we had been printed on the
wrong paper stock, and agreed that the quality of the ink was
unacceptable. Since this was their mistake, they agreed to eat
the cost of reprinting us, however due to the size of the other
jobs that were running on their presses, this could not be done
until the following Monday.
This was a dilemma, since some of our bar advertisers had
placed ads for things happening the next weekend, and we
wanted to ensure copies were available for the current weekend
to get them proper exposure.
So despite the printers frowning on us taking away copies
of the magazines we were refusing, we dug through until we
found enough of the less-faded copies to put out at our critical
locations. This meant that at least we would be on the shelves
over the weekend, and we explained to these locations what
was going on as we put out the temporary copies.
Over the weekend we decided it would be worthwhile to sneak
in some last minute changes to the magazine, and once we got
the new copies Monday night we replaced what was remaining
on the shelves at our critical locations with these fixed copies.
Continued on Page 46 
Online Last Month
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5 Real Estate Tips for LGBT
Homeowners Who Want a
Faster Sale in 2011
LGBT home sellers should understand
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Heart-On!
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Interview
Marsha Ambrosius, photos by Glynis Selina Arban 
Marsha Ambrosius: ‘Hate is Hate’
Now solo, former Floetry singer targets homophobia with first single
By Chris Azzopardi
Marsha Ambrosius isn’t going to tell you that it gets better. Her
video, “Far Away,” is an all-too-real take on gay bullying and
suicide that’s inspired by her friend’s attempt at taking his own
life. The song is also the lead single from the English singer’s
very personal Late Nights & Early Mornings, her first solo album
after parting ways with R&B duo Floetry.
We caught up with Ambrosius, who opened up about the inspiration
behind the bold video, how people are reacting to it and why it’s
breaking color barriers, too.
GC&E: Why is the issue of gay suicide so close to your heart?
MA: I’d gone through a situation with a friend of mine who was
battling issues with his sexuality, and not being accepted and the
feeling that there’s no other way out than to take your own life. To
try to deal with someone who’s in such a dark place, it was very
disheartening for me – the bestie that’s all smiles, ensuring that the
world will be OK. But when you’re not living that life for them, there’s
nothing you can do. So it was only right that when the song was
chosen for the single that I did a video to go exactly with what I was
feeling emotionally.
GC&E: Did he commit suicide?
MA: No, definitely attempted – and not once, but a few times.
Thankfully, he’s still here, but there have been many stories in the
press as of late of people taking their own lives because of the same
circumstance and I just felt like it was only right to get that story to
the demographic that listens to my music.
GC&E: Do you think you’re reaching people that aren’t aware of
these issues?
MA: Definitely. For me, it was important for those voices that don’t
get the opportunity to speak to be heard loud and clear.
GC&E: Comments on YouTube and on blogs range from Biblical
references condemning homosexuality to ones that saying this video
saved their life. How do you feel about the buzz surrounding the video?
MA: It’s so overwhelming. It was never my intention to cause a stir,
but I wanted to get a reaction and I’m thankful that it’s opened a line
of communication to people who wouldn’t speak to each other at one
point. Whether it was a fight against what’s right or wrong or what’s
love and what’s hate, people are speaking and I’m changing minds.
All I want for people to see with this video is that hate is hate
no matter who you are. When you can’t be accepted for who you
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are in this world, that’s all you have. It’s getting people talking and
disagreeing – or agreeing – so I’m thankful for that. On YouTube, there
will be like 150,000 “likes” and maybe 100 “dislikes,” so, you know,
majority rules. (Laughs) I’ll take that, but for the ones who are still
opposed, I say genuinely grasp onto what is being said and what is
being taught here.
GC&E: Someone tweeted you and called the video “fag shit.” How
do you respond to comments like that?
MA: I’ve said, “If that’s what you took from this video, so be it,”
and just ended it there. I wanted the video to get a reaction, and it is.
GC&E: It’s rare to see black gay men portrayed in such a loving,
open way as they are in the video. Do you think there’s a race divide
when it comes to gay people in the media? Did you consider that when
you cast the video for “Far Away”?
MA: Initially, it wasn’t on my mind. It was just how I portrayed my
scenario as if those were my friends, and I wasn’t thinking of it as
breaking color barriers, too. I think for two openly gay males – black
males at that – to be shown in the light that they were was a very
surreal moment for many.
A point in making the video was to make the mark that they were
happy and in love and open to loving one another in front of whomever,
and to establish their relationship outside of what the world thought;
they thought the world of each other. (Director) Julius (Erving III) did
a fantastic job putting together a video that showed the story in its
true art form.
GC&E: And you didn’t go with the down-low approach, like R.
Kelly did with “Trapped in the Closet,” which seems like a common
portrayal of black gay men.
MA: Right – and I even saw some comments like, “What is this with
gays on the down low?” There’s nothing down low about this. This is
broad daylight in New Jersey, somewhere in the sunshine, looking
into each other’s eyes lovingly. This is an open relationship for two
people that are in love.
GC&E: How did it feel making this album solo versus as part of a
duo?
MA: It’s a weight off my shoulders to not have to make room for
another opinion. This is everything that I feel and I think and I want to
be as an artist. It’s who I am, and I’m just ready to give away my heart.
I’ve always been a solo artist; even in Floetry, we were two solo
artists who came together to be something that worked very well
together creatively. And you know, three albums in, Natalie (Stewart)
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went solo. Same thing with me: I wanted to produce and to write for
many other people, and I think now that I have the opportunity to do
my solo record, I’m ready now for me – and it’s been a journey because
I get to learn what I want to say and what I don’t want to say and
things in music that I’ve never explored before, because I never had to
be 100 percent. I could lean on someone. Now I can only lean on me,
and I have to do all the work. (Laughs)
GC&E: You say that going solo freed you. Do you think you could’ve
been so bold in your approach to the “Far Away” video if you were still
part of Floetry?
MA: I’m not sure. I couldn’t even really answer that. I think it
would’ve been a difficult subject to approach in a group because you
might have two conflicting opinions and there would be too many
ways to show how either of us felt about it, so I’m glad that I got to
execute it from my perspective in a straightforward, black-and-white
approach.
GC&E: Why all the heartbreak on the album?
MA: There’s really not much heartbreak on the album. I guess there
are three songs conceptually that could be heartache records: “Far
Away,” “Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player),” which
was written for a friend who went through a bad break-up, and “The
Break-Up Song.” The rest of them are just about having great sex:
great make-up sex, great break-up sex. (Laughs)
GC&E: Is this based on your own personal experiences?
MA: Oh, most definitely. With the title, Late Nights & Early Mornings,
it’s how I lived life. It was just late nights in the studios, maybe at a
show, waking up the next day to go travel and perform somewhere,
wherever. And it’s a continual cycle. Even in a relationship, as
sensual and seductive as it gets, you want that late,
hot and steamy night with the one that you want to
be with – and then wake up to a nice early-morning
breakfast.
GC&E: What was
breakfast you had?
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the
best
MA: Belgian waffles, whipped cream, powdered sugar, a cup of hot
cocoa, a side of fresh fruit – and him, with his 6-foot-3 chocolate self.
(Laughs)
GC&E: You don’t hold back on “Hope She Cheats on You,” and it’s
written almost like the way a man would write a break-up song.
MA: Exactly – because I think there are certain things that women
want to say but don’t for fear of that neck-rolling, finger-snapping,
attitude-having version of ourselves that no one is seeing anymore. So
I just wanted a fun record where I could stand there, suck my teeth
and be like, “Yeah. What?”
That’s just me. My approach to writing is to never hold back
regardless of the circumstance. I can’t hide behind my music. If you
really want to get to know me, listen to my music.
GC&E: Are you that forward in everyday life?
MA: Oh, I have to be. I’m a Leo. (Laughs)
GC&E: Based on a line from the song (“Hope that she Kim
Kardashian-ed her way up”), I take it you’re not friends with Kim
Kardashian?
MA: I don’t even know her, but she is such a sweetheart. On the
record I’m actually giving her a compliment, and how I got that line
together was, yeah, I may have just known her from a sex tape that
she did with an R&B singer at one point, but she turned that around
and made herself a million-dollar mogul and a marketing machine.
I’m not gonna say that an R&B singer is going to release a sex tape
of him and I tomorrow, but it’s not to say I haven’t sent a sexy text
message that someone could just then say, “Oh, I’ve got Marsha’s
tits!”
GC&E: But there’s no sex tape with a 6-foot-3 chocolate lover?
MA: Who knows!
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early-morning
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9
and seeing what happened,” Northan
explained. “That was the intention of
the 10 minute play, I wanted to do
something with Chantal and Julie
because I love those chicks and think
they kick ass, so let’s do a piece where
we kick ass. It went from there. They
were in it from the beginning so it
was helpful to know I was writing for
those two girls, for specific people in
my mind, which made it a lot easier
because I could imagine their voices.”
Northan chatted with GayCalgary
& Edmonton Magazine on a break
from rehearsals. She admitted she
was surprised when Luhning asked
her to write the script. Though
she created Blind Date, it was an
improvised show, so writing a set
script was a new challenge.
“Ryan came to me in the dressing
room after the festival and said, I think
I want to comission the full length,
and I said, Oh shut up. He took me
for lunch a few days later and said,
I am serious, I am comissioning this.
I thought, Oh God... I have to write
a play! I have written in the past
collaboratively through an improvised
process. Other than assignments in
school, this is the first time I have sat
down at a computer by myself and
gone, what will the next person say?”
Kung Fu Panties (KFP) is a perfect
fit for Ground Zero Theatre/Hit &
Myth Productions, the same company
that brought shows like Urinetown,
My First Time, Speed The Plow and
Evil Dead: The Musical to Calgary.
On a personal level, there is a lot of
history between Northan and those
involved in KFP.
“The first production meeting, I
looked around the table and said,
probably 85% of the people sitting
around the table are my alumni at the
University of Calgary. 15 years later
we are still working together, here we
are. That’s pretty cool. It makes me
feel like a veteran of some artistic war.
We all started in University with hopes
and dreams, and wanting to make
your life in the arts, [not knowing] how
hard it is going to be. 15 years later
to be with Ryan Luhning, who I hung
out with, and some of the production
guys, feels pretty amazing.”
Marketed as a live action movie,
complete with car chases and fight
sequences, the show has a lot of depth
and heart behind the action.
“It starts with the kind of comedy I
like, which is truthful comedy. At the
nugget of the ridiculousness of Kung
Fu Panties is a love story, because I think everything stems from that. There
is a love story, there is a strong friendship that has undergone a betrayal,
and forgiveness and healing comes about. In training at Loose Moose I was
always taught that an evening of theatre, you don’t want soup followed by
soup followed by soup because you are unsatisfied at the end of the night.
There is some soup in this, and cotton candy, but also a main course, a
strong through-line that the comedy and action can sit on top of.”
As one can imagine, it has been a hectic and intense rehearsal process.
“It is the most overwhelming and exciting, inspiring rehearsal process I
have ever been in. We are all bruised but happily bruised. It feels like we are
rehearsing at least three shows at the same time because the fights are very
involved and a huge component of the show. So we spend half of the day
working on fights, the other half working on the script and then thrown in
there occasionally is some choreography because there are dance scenes as
well. There is a lot of giggling and jumping up and down. If we can pull this
off it will be the most fun any of us have ever had in the theatre.”
Getting into Rebecca’s Panties
Kung Fu Panties brings the action movie to life on stage
By Jason Clevett
If only the packed Martha Cohen Theatre realized what
they were witnessing. In January 2010 during the High
Performance Rodeo’s 10 Minute Play Festival, Rebecca
Northan, Julie Orton and Chantal Perron walked onstage
and created history.
The short piece in which three girls, armed with only charm and lingerie,
tried to prevent the assassination of a diplomat. They left the audience both
in awe and in stitches. After the show I told Rebecca how much I loved the
performance and thought it should be a full length piece. I got home and
e-mailed Ground Zero Theatre’s Ryan Luhning and told him the exact same
thing. I wasn’t the only one, and now 15 months later Kung Fu Panties kicks
down the door of The Studio at Vertigo Theatre, March 18th to April 3rd.
“For me part of it is this theory I have that if you do what you love with
the people you love, something is created that draws interest. My buddies
made the film Fubar and it came out of doing something fun for the summer
10
www.gaycalgary.com
This is an impressive statement considering how many of the cast and
crew worked Evil Dead: The Musical, which was also ridiculously fun.
Northan agrees this is the case.
“When we rehearsed [Evil Dead] we were doing a tried and true product.
We could relax a little bit because other people had done it and worked out
the kinks and we could just have fun with it. This is the beginning of the
creation process. If Kung Fu Panties has a longer life, it will change a lot and
it is exciting to be at the front end of it, making stuff up as we go. The script
is changing as we are in rehearsals depending on who is in the room and
the challenges that come up. It is great I am the writer and an improviser
because things come up, like someone is injured and can’t do something
anymore. No problem, I will write in the injury and we will just deal with it.”
Kung Fu Panties is going to be fun. Personally I haven’t been this excited
for a show in awhile. Having seen the 10 minute version, I have expectations
for a spectacular night.
“If we accomplish what we have set out to accomplish, which is huge and
audacious and extremely ambitious, I think it will be the most fun that you
have had in the theatre. I don’t know how else to describe it.”
She jokes, “At the end of the day I hope it is so fun and sexy and
ridiculous that if you are gay you will leave straight, if you are straight you
will leave gay, and if you are bi you will be so happy.”
Kung Fu Panties
Presented by Ground Zero Theatre + Hit & Myth Productions
www.groundzerotheatre.ca
Shows
March 18th - April 3rd
The Studio at Vertigo Theatre
www.gaycalgary.com
11
12
www.gaycalgary.com
www.gaycalgary.com
13
Remembering Beauty
Director Jean Grand-Maître pairs a night of ballet to soothe the Alberta soul
 Photo by Charles Hope
By Janine Eva Trotta
Imagine the privileged life of someone who befriends
Stravinsky and works alongside Matisse. Director,
conductor and great musician George Balanchine lived
exactly those days. Raised in St. Petersburg under the
tutelage of the Russian and European greats, Balanchine
created 400 ballets in his time and was hailed as prolific
in New York.
Serenade was the first of these he choreographed in North
America, in 1934, as homage to his most beloved composer, the
‘noble’ Tchaikovsky.
“That ballet is a masterpiece of the 21st Century,” says Alberta
Ballet Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître. “We’re not sure if there
is a story [in Serenade] or not… It’s funny though, because when
that ballet ends, I have never seen an audience so silent and quiet.”
To sum it up, “there’s something about that ballet that makes the
audience come together.”
That is why Grand-Maître selected Serenade to begin a night
intended to be something “very spiritual.”
“I programmed the evening to be something soothing, pure,
beautiful,” he extols; something in direct contrast to the current
goings on of the world, which is “sometimes what we need.”
Serenade is an abstract ballet, that Grand-Maître describes as
looking “like a Monet painting in motion.”
14
Following this piece, on the evenings of March 24th to 26th in
Calgary, and April 1st and 2nd in Edmonton, will be Grand-Maître’s
own masterpiece: Vigil of Angels.
Originally created and commissioned in 1995 for La Scala opera
house in Milan, one of the three most major opera theatres in
the world, Grand-Maître says of its inception, “It was something
amazing, like a Cinderella coming true.”
The Gatineau, Quebec born director created Vigil over three
months of falling in love with the Italian city and the ballet in his
vision.
“I created this ballet coinciding with the same time many friends
were dying of AIDS, especially in the dance world,” Grand-Maître
says. “It was a peculiar state of mind I was in. I was dealing with
death at a very young age.”
“What we went through at this time, I don’t think we even
stopped to think about it...[Vigil of Angels] was created in homage
to the people going through such terrified times.”
Vigil aims to “look at death in not such a dark way.”
“I imagine death as a little girl taking you by the hand,” GrandMaître says. “This whole ballet is really a look on life and death.”
This will be the fourth remount of the work. La Scala took
Vigil on tour in 2000, but this showing will reflect the latest in its
revisions. “Every remount refines and re-choreographs,” GrandMaître explains. “As I get older, I think it’s getting more and more
peaceful.”
www.gaycalgary.com
 Photo by Ivan KaraBabliev
The director names this ballet as his most personal. “It’s the
ballet that will follow me through my life,” he says. “It’s as though
I wrote a story and every time someone read it, they were looking
deep inside.”
Vigil of Angels is the story of a cellist whose true love dies very
young for reasons unexplained. Her refusal to accept this death
propels her own life eternal, a life dedicated to profound music.
When the angels hear her play they fly down to find her and hear
her story. They restore her youth and see the love she had, and
teach her some Buddhist lessons to appease her troubled self. At
the time of writing, Grand-Maître was also taking in some Buddhist
teachings. “[Vigil is] about how beauty and truth are really the balm
of our lives,” the director says. “Beauty is something so special.”
Grand-Maître’s life was not so far off from his predecessor George
Balanchine. Born in a small town, the future director was not
exposed to dance and ballet until his teens. “When I discovered
ballet and dance that was what I wanted to do.”
Grand-Maître trained in Montreal for six years before becoming
professional at the age of 21. His dance career lasted just short of
a decade before he merged into choreography – the creation of the
dance.
The new choreographer spent ten years creating ballets in
Europe, working in Paris, Milan, Oslo, Stuttgart, Munich and Rome.
“It was a career that took some time to take off, but once it took
off it went very quickly,” he says.
In 2000, Grand-Maître took a sabbatical that saw his return
to Quebec, where studios are offered for six-month durations to
artists, designers, composers, choreographers and the like to
replenish, re-inspire and get new ideas amid fresh surroundings.
Following this move, Grand-Maître saw the position for artistic
director at the Alberta Ballet open, and decided to move on the
opportunity that would take his career to the next level.
Now is the chance for Vigil to showcase on that next level too.
“I’m hoping that every time I do it there’s a little more wisdom
that goes into it,” Grand-Maître says. “Love is probably the solution
to most of our problems, we just don’t want to admit it.”
Vigil of Angels
Calgary: March 24th - 26th
Edmonton: April 1st - 2nd
www.gaycalgary.com
15
Directory & Events
24
DOWNTOWN CALGARY
61
37
43 41
4
55
9
60
2
34
33
16
1
35
59
36
3
5 6
62
N
13
1
2
3
4
5
6
Calgary Outlink---------- Community Groups
Aids Calgary------------- Community Groups
Backlot------------------------ Bars and Clubs
Calgary Eagle Inc.------------ Bars and Clubs
Texas Lounge----------------- Bars and Clubs
Goliath’s-------------------------- Bathhouses
9 FAB---------------------------- Bars and Clubs
13 Westways Guest House---- Accommodations
16 Priape Calgary------------------ Retail Stores
24 Courtney Aarbo----------------------- Services
33 Twisted Element-------------- Bars and Clubs
34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------------- Theatre
35
36
37
41
43
55
FIND OUT!
CALGARY
LGBT Community Directory
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine is the go-to source for
information about Alberta LGBT businesses and community
groups—the most extensive and accurate resource of its kind! This
print supplement contains a subset of active community groups
and venues, with premium business listings of paid advertisers.
✰....... Find our Magazine Here
One Yellow Rabbit-------------------- Theatre
ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects-------- Theatre
Pumphouse Theatre----------------- Theatre
La Fleur-------------------------- Retail Stores
Lisa Heinricks----------Theatre and Fine Arts
Marquee Room--------------- Bars and Clubs
......... Wheelchair Accessible
Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or
organization listed? We welcome you to contact us!
 403-543-6960
 1-888-543-6960
 [email protected]
http://www.gaycalgary.com/CalgaryTravelRss
http://www.gaycalgary.com/EdmontonTravelRss
Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go!
http://www.gaycalgary.com/Directory
Accommodations
13 Westways Guest House--------------------✰

216 - 25th Avenue SW  403-229-1758

1-866-846-7038  [email protected]

www.gaywestways.com
Bars & Clubs
3 Backlot----------------------------------- ✰
 403-265-5211
 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close
209 - 10th Ave SW
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 Paradiso

1413 - 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.
58
59
60
61
62
Theatre Junction--------------------- Theatre
Village Bistro & Lounge----------Restaurant
Club Sapien------------------- Bars and Clubs
Holidays on the Hill------------- Retail Stores
Concept Bar & Lounge------- Bars and Clubs
60 Club Sapien------------------------------ ✰

1140 10th Ave SW
 403-457-4464

http://www.clubsapien.ca
Dance club & restaurant.
60 Concept Bar & Lounge---------------------✰

908 17th Ave SW
 403-228-1006

www.facebook.com/ConceptLounge
Premiere crossover lounge. Entrance on 16th Ave.
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.
Browse our complete directory of over 570 gay-frieindly listings!
www.gaycalgary.com
17
Directory & Events
Calgary Events
Mondays
ASK Meet and Greet----------------  7-9:30pm

Bonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE)
Inside Out Youth Group----------------  7-9pm
See 1 Calgary Outlink
Yoga (A)-----------------------------  6-7:30pm
See Apollo Calgary
Sep27Dec6
Yoga (B)-------------------------  7:45-9:15pm
Sep27Dec6
See Apollo Calgary
Squash--------------------------  8:15-9:45pm
See Apollo Calgary
Oct18
Tuesdays
Calgary Networking Club--------------  5-7pm
 1st Tues
Thursdays
Lesbian Seniors---------------------------- 2pm

Kerby Center, Sunshine Room
 3rd
1133 7th Ave SW
Lesbian Meetup Group-------------  7:30-9pm
 1st
At 1 Calgary Outlink
Fake Mustache Show-----------  7:30-9:45pm
By Miscellaneous Youth Network
 1st
At 60 Club Sapien
Fake Mustache Show------------------  9:30pm
By Miscellaneous Youth Network
 3rd

Quincy’s (609 7th Ave SW)
Alcoholics Anonymous---------------------  8pm

Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance)
1227 Kensington Close NW
Fridays
Boot Camp (A)----------------------  7-8:30pm
Sep7
See Apollo Calgary
Leather Night-------------------------- Evening
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Between Men---------------------------  7-9pm
 2nd, 4th
BBQ Fundraiser-------------------------  5-9pm
By ISCCA at 3 Backlot
Rehearsals--------------------------  7-9:30pm
See Calgary Men’s Chorus
Jun
Rec Volleyball------------------------------ 7pm
See Apollo Calgary
Karaoke------------------------------  8pm-1am
At 5 Texas Lounge
Illusions--------------------------------  7-10pm
 1st
Fetish Slosh----------------------------  Evening
 2nd
At 3 Backlot
Womynspace----------------------------  7-9pm
 2nd

New Directions--------------------------  7-9pm
 3rd
Wednesdays
Communion Service------------------  12:10pm
See Knox United Church
Women’s Healing Circle---------------  1:30pm
See AIDS Calgary
Heading Out-----------------------  8pm-10pm
 4th

Saturdays
Free Pool-------------------------------  All Day
At 4 Calgary Eagle with Prime Timers Calgary
Running------------------------------------  9am
See Apollo Calgary
Badminton--------------------------------- 7pm
See Apollo Calgary
Sep8Dec15
Coffee------------------------------------  10am
See Prime Timers Calgary
Bowling------------------------------------ 7pm
Sep1Mar30
See Apollo Calgary
Curling-------------------------  2:20 & 4:30pm
See Apollo Calgary
Mosaic Youth Group--------------------  7-9pm
 Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW)
6 Goliaths-------------------------------------✰

308 - 17 Ave SW
 403-229-0911

www.goliaths.ca

Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Community Groups
2 AIDS Calgary---------------------------- ✰

110, 1603 10th Avenue SW

403-508-2500

[email protected]

www.aidscalgary.org
18
Wednesday, April 1st
Tuned Out Music Trivia----------------  Evening
At 9 FAB
 1st, 3rd
Monday, April 11th
Sundays
Worship Time----------------------------  10am
See Deer Park United Church
Worship------------------------------  10:30am
See Scarboro United Church
Concept Relaunch-------------------------- 8pm
At 62 Concept Bar & Lounge
State Dinner------------------------------- 5pm
At 9 FAB
Tuesday, April 12th
Imperial Roast---------------------  8pm-12am
At 5 Texas Lounge
Thursday, April 14th
Boot Camp (B)----------------  10:30am-12pm
Sep12
See Apollo Calgary
In-Town Show------------------------------ 9pm
At 60 Club Sapien
Worship Services-------------------------  11am
See Knox United Church
Friday, April 15th
Int/Comp Volleyball-----------  12:15-1:45pm
See Apollo Calgary
Out-of-Town Show------------------------- 9pm
At 33 Twisted Element
Saturday, April 16th
BBQ Social Sundays----------------------- 2pm
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Hospitality-------------------------  11am-3pm

Crown Suite, Westin Hotel
Church Service----------------------------- 4pm
See Rainbow Community Church
Coronation--------------------------------- 4pm

Grand Ballroom, Westin Hotel
Women’s Volleyball----------------  7-8:30pm
See Apollo Calgary
Sunday, April 17th
Sunday Socials----------------------  Afternoon
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Free Pool-------------------------------  All Day
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Thursday, March 17th
Coming Out Monologues----------  7:30pm

Boris Roubakine Theatre
Craigie Hall B, University of Calgary
Friday, March 18th
Coming Out Monologues----------  7:30pm

Boris Roubakine Theatre
Craigie Hall B, University of Calgary
Saturday, March 26th
Femme Fatale 5--------------------  6:30pm
At 60 Club Sapien
ARGRA Dance-------------------------- 8pm
By ARGRA

Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Hall
1320 5th Ave NW
Victory Brunch---------------------------  11am

MacEwan Room, Westin Hotel
Alaska Birdwater Party-------------------- 2pm
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Tough Drag-------------------------------- 9am
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Wednesday, April 20th
Back(lot) to Boyz(town)---------------  TBA
By 3 Backlot

Vinyl (213 - 10th Ave SW)
April 21st - 23rd
Western Cup---------------------------- 8pm
By Apollo Calgary
See their ad in this edition for more info.
Wednesday, April 27th
Taste for Life-------------------------  Dinner
By SHARP Foundation
Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range/Future),  = Sponsored Event
 Calgary Contd.
Bathhouses/Saunas

Alberta Society for Kink

403-398-9968

[email protected]

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/
group.albertasocietyforkink
Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sports

www.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 29

www.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]
• Biking

[email protected]
• Boot Camp

Platoon FX, 1351 Aviation Park NE

[email protected]
• Bowling (Rainbow Riders League)

Let’s Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE)

[email protected]
• Curling

North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW)

[email protected]
Will return in September 2010. Sign up at
myapollo.org to receive updates.
• Golf

[email protected]
www.gaycalgary.com
Directory & Events
 Calgary Contd.
• Lawn Bowling

[email protected]
have the right and ability to make their own choices
regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
• 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.
1 Calgary Outlink-----------------------------✰
B1, 1528 16th Avenue SW

403-234-8973

http://www.calgaryoutlink.com
• 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 Pitch

[email protected]
• Squash
 Mount Royal University Recreation

[email protected]
All skill levels welcome.
• Tennis

[email protected]
• Volleyball (Beach)

[email protected]
• Volleyball (Int/Comp)

West Hillhurst Community Center
1940 6th Avenue NW
• Volleyball (Recreational)

St. Monica’s School (235 - 18 Ave SW)
• Volleyball (Women’s)

YWCA Calgary (320 - 5th Avenue SE)
• Yoga

World Tree Studio (812 Edmonton Trail NE)

Robin: 403-618-9642
$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------------------------------
• 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.
• Calgary Lesbian Ladies Meet up Group
• Between Men and Between Men Online
• Heading Out
• Illusions Calgary
• Inside Out
• New Directions
• Womynspace
Calgary Queer Book Club

Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)
Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre

77 Deerpoint Road SE  403-278-8263

http://www.dpuc.ca
Different Strokes

http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org
Don’t Buy In Project

http://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 Library
Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual
membership is $10.
Gay Friends in Calgary

http://www.gayfriendsincalgary.ca
Organizes and hosts social activities catered to the
LGBT people and friends.
1320 - 5th Avenue NW
Girl Friends

[email protected]

members.shaw.ca/girlfriends
Artists for the Quality of Life

403-890-1261
 www.afqol.com
Girlsgroove

http://www.girlsgroove.ca

Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association
Calgary Gay Fathers

[email protected]

http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca
Peer support group for gay, bisexual and
questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month.
Calgary Men’s Chorus

http://www.calgarymenschorus.org
• Rehearsals

Temple 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
www.gaycalgary.com
Hillhurst United Church


(403) 283-1539

[email protected]

www.hillhurstunited.com
HIV Peer Support Group
Knox United Church
Primetimers Calgary

506 - 4th Street SW
 403-269-8382

http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca

[email protected]

http://www.primetimerscalgary.com
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.
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.
• Worship Services
10:30am in July and August.
Miscellaneous Youth Network

http://www.miscyouth.com
• Fake Mustache

Quincy’s (609 7th Ave SW)

Club Sapien (609 7th Ave SW)
Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. Early show
7:30pm, late show 9pm.
• Mosaic Youth Group

The Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW)
For queer and trans youth and their allies.
Mystique

[email protected]
Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30
and up but all are welcome.
• Coffee Night

Second 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 Committee
 www.pridecalgary.ca

403-797-6564
Pride Rainbow Project

[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.
• Free Pool
4 Calgary Eagle
• Saturday Coffee

Midtown 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 Night

2nd Cup, Kensington
Rainbow Community Church

Hillhurst 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 Bears

[email protected]

http://www.rockymountainbears.com
Safety Under the Rainbow

http://www.safetyrainbow.ca
Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of
same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth
bullying.
Scarboro United Church

134 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 Foundation

403-272-2912

[email protected]

http://www.thesharpfoundation.com
Unity Bowling

Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE)

[email protected]
Urban Sex Radio Show

CJSW 90.9 FM

http://www.cjsw.com
Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans
gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and
around the web.

403-230-5832

[email protected]
ISCCA Social Association

http://www.iscca.ca
Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch.
Charity fundraising group..
19
Directory & Events
DOWNTOWN EDMONTON
1
5
7
11 6 12
3
N
4
14
1 Pride Centre------------- Community Groups
3 HIV Network------------- Community Groups
4 Edmonton STD---------- Community Groups
5 The Junction------------------ Bars and Clubs
6 Buddy’s Nite Club------------ Bars and Clubs
7 Down Under Baths--------------- Bathhouses
8 Prism Bar & Grill------------- Bars and Clubs
11 Steamworks---------------------- Bathhouses
12 Woody’s----------------------- Bars and Clubs
13 PLAY Nightclub--------------- Bars and Clubs
14 FLASH------------------------- Bars and Clubs
 Calgary Contd.
Western Canada Bigmen and Admirers
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

groups.yahoo.com/group/
WesternCanadaBigmenGroup/

[email protected]
Vigor Calgary

403-255-7004
 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.

210 - 7th Ave SW Christmas, Halloween, and much more.
“Yeah...What She Said!” Radio Show

CJSW 90.9 FM

[email protected]
41 La Fleur------------------------------------

103 - 100 7th Avenue SW
 403-266-1707
Restaurants
Florist and Flower Shop.
✰
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.
Halo Steak, Seafood & Wine Bar

Canyon Meadows Plaza
13226 Macleod Trail SE

403-271-4111

www.halorestaurant.com
20
Adult Depot----------------------------- ✰

140, 58th Ave SW  403-258-2777
Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.
61 Holidays on the Hill----------------------- 403-263-3030
Wild Rose United Church

1317-1st Street NW
4 Calgary Eagle Inc.----------------------
Retail Stores
✰
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
Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of
the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner
for Oaths.
 403-246-4134
MFM Communications

403-543-6970

1-877-543-6970

http://www.mfmcommunications.com
Web site hosting and development. Computer
hardware and software.
MPs Catering
24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors)

1138 Kensington Road NW

403-571-5120

http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca

403-607-8215
GLBT legal services.
• Calgary Drop-in Centre

Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE

403-699-8216

Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm
Cruiseline

403-777-9494 trial code 3500

http://www.cruiseline.ca
Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.
DevaDave Salon & Boutique

810 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
SafeWorks
Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing.
• Centre of Hope

Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE

403-410-1180
 Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm
• Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre

1213 - 4th Str SW
 403-955-6014

Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed
• Safeworks Van

403-850-3755

Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am
Theatre & Fine Arts
36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects

403-294-7402  http://www.ATPlive.com
www.gaycalgary.com
Directory & Events
 Calgary Contd.
 Edmonton Contd.
AXIS Contemporary Art------------------- 403-262-3356
 www.axisart.ca

107, 100 - 7 Ave SW

[email protected]
Fairytales
See Calgary - Community Groups.
Altview-Strathcona County LGBTQ Group
Book Worm’s Book Club

Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes
10179 - 108 Street

[email protected]
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
✰
Camp fYrefly
✰
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)------------- ✰
 780-990-0038

10524 101st St

http://www.prismbar.ca
12 Woody’s-------------------------------------✰

11725 Jasper Ave
 780-488-6557
Bathhouses/Saunas
7 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
www.gaycalgary.com
Buck Naked Boys Club

780-471-6993

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.

7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies
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

[email protected]

http://www.theatrejunction.com
Alberta Bears

www.beefbearbash.com
#44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB
www.altview.ca
Jubilations Dinner Theatre

Bow Trail and 37th St. SW

403-249-7799

www.jubilations.ca
37 Pumphouse Theatre------------------

2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW

403-263-0079

http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca
Community Groups
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 Association

3379, 11215 Jasper Ave  780-429-5014

http://www.edmontonrba.org
Primary focus is the provision of networking
opportunities for LGBT owned or operated and LGBTfriendly businesses in the Edmonton region.
Edmonton Illusions Social Club
5 Boots Bar & Grill

780-387-3343

groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions
4 Edmonton STD

11111 Jasper Ave
Edmonton Vocal Minority

780-479-2038
 www.evmchoir.com
3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰
9702 111 Ave NW  www.hivedmonton.com
Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose

http://www.iscwr.ca
OUTreach

University 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.
community. A time to get together, share a meal
and meet people from the community.
• Free School

Main Space – Upstairs

[email protected]
Free School provides workshops on a variety of
topics related to local activism.
• Get Tested for STIs
Free STD testing for anyone interested. For more
information please contact the Pride Centre.
• GLBT Seniors Drop-In

SAGE building, Classroom B
15 Sir Winstone Churchill Square

[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 Pride


[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 Group

Green Room – Upstairs

[email protected]
Support group for people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Youth Movie


[email protected]
Movie chosen by youth (aged 14 – 25), usually
with LGBT themes. Popcorn is served.
• YouthSpace

[email protected]
A safe and supportive space for GLBTQ youth aged
13–25. Video games, computers with internet,
clothing bank, and more.
Team Edmonton

[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.
• PFLAG

Red 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.
•Ballroom Dancing

Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW

Cynthia: 780-469-3281
• Prime Timers
See Edmonton Primetimers.
• Bowling (Northern Titans)

Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall)

[email protected]
$15.00 per person.
• Suit Up and Show Up: AA Big Book Study

Downstairs Couch Area
Discussion and support group for those struggling
with an alcohol addiction or seeking support in
staying sober.
• TTIQ

Green Room – Upstairs

[email protected]
TTIQ is mixed gender open support group addressing
the needs of transsexual and transgendered
individuals.
• Womonspace Board Meeting


[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.
• Blazin’ Bootcamp

Garneau Elementary School
10925 - 87 Ave

[email protected]
• Cross Country Skiing

[email protected]
• Curling with Pride

Granite 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-in

Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue

[email protected]
Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor
1 Pride Centre of Edmonton-------------- ✰

95A Street, 111 Ave
 780-488-3234

[email protected]
• Community Potluck


[email protected]
A potluck open to all members of the LGBTQ
21
Directory & Events
Edmonton Events
Mondays
Boot Camp------------------------------  7-8pm
See Team Edmonton
Men’s HIV Support Group--------------  7-9pm
See Pride Centre of Edmonton
 2nd
Curling---------------------------------  7:15pm
See Team Edmonton
Oct4Mar21
Tuesdays
GLBT Seniors Drop-in------------------  1-4pm
TTIQ-------------------------------------  2-4pm
 2nd
Youthspace------------------------------  3-7pm
Bowling-----------------------------  6:45-9pm
Sept7Mar15
See Team Edmonton
Community Potluck---------------------  7-9pm
 Last
Recreational Volleyball--------  8:30-10:30pm
See Team Edmonton
Oct5
Swimming-----------------------  7:30-8:30pm
May19
See Team Edmonton
Martial Arts---------------------  7:30-8:30pm
See Team Edmonton
Wednesdays
PFLAG---------------------------------  12:10pm
 1st
Youthspace------------------------------  3-7pm
Youth Sports/Recreation------------------ 4pm
See Youth Understanding Youth
Youth Understanding Youth------------  7-9pm
At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Youth Movie Night------------------  6:30-8:30
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Mixed Badminton----------------------  8-10pm
Jan13End of May
See Team Edmonton
Half Time Show------------------------  9-11pm
By ISCWR at 14 FLASH
Thursdays
Saturdays
GLBT Seniors Drop-in------------------  1-4pm
Naturalist Gettogether---------------------- ???
See Buck Naked Boys Club
 2nd
Dukes and Diamonds--------------  9pm-2am
By ISCWR at 12 Woodys
Get Tested for STIs----------------------  3-6pm
 Last
AA Big Book Study--------------------  12-1pm
Youthspace------------------------------  3-7pm
Monthly Meeting-----------------------  2:30pm
 2nd
By Edmonton Primetimers
 Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street
Spring Fling Dance (Tentative)----  9pm-1am
By Womonspace

Bellevue Community Hall
7308 112 Ave NW
GLBT African Group----------------------- 6pm
 2nd
Swimming-------------------------------  7-8pm
May19
See Team Edmonton
Youthspace--------------------------  3-6:30pm
Bowling------------------------------------ 5pm
See Team Edmonton
Sundays
Running------------------------------  10-11am
See Team Edmonton
Book Club------------------------------  7:30pm
See BookWorm’s Book Club
 3rd
Free School----------------------------  11-5pm
See Pride Centre of Edmonton  2nd, 4th
Martial Arts---------------------  7:30-8:30pm
See Team Edmonton
Womonspace Meeting---------  12:30-1:30pm
 1st
Intermediate Volleyball--------  7:30-9:30pm
See Team Edmonton
Yoga---------------------------------  2-3:30pm
See Team Edmonton
Fridays
Men Talking with Pride----------------  7-9pm
Edmonton Illusions--------------------  8:30pm
 2nd
At 5 The Junction
Youthspace--------------------------  3-6:30pm
Ballroom Dancing--------------  7:30-8:30pm
See Team Edmonton
 Edmonton Contd.
• Soccer

[email protected]
• Hockey

[email protected]
• Spin

MacEwan 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.
• Outdoor Pursuits

[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.
• Swimming (Making Waves)

NAIT Pool (11762 - 106 Street)

[email protected]
www.makingwavesswimclub.ca
• Tennis

Kinsmen Sports Centre

Sundays, 12pm-3pm

[email protected]
• Slo Pitch

Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave

[email protected]
Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for
players from the 2008 season.
• Ultimate Frisbee

Sundays
Summer Season starts July 12th

[email protected]
E-mail if interested.
• Snowballs V

January 27-29, 2012

[email protected]
Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend.
• Volleyball, Intermediate

Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road)

[email protected]
22
Friday, March 11th
Thursday, March 17th
Bylaws Meeting---------------------  9pm-2am
By Womonspace

Expressionz Cafe (Redwood Room)
9938 70 Avenue
Leather, Feathers & Fur---------------  9-11pm
By ISCWR at 5 The Junction
Sunday, March 27th
Journey Concert---------------------------- 3pm
By Edmonton Vocal Minority

Unitarian Church of Edmonton
10804 119 Street
Red Deer Events
April 8th - 10th
Taboo Red Deer------------------------  All Day

Westerner Park, Stockmens Pavilion
Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range),  = Sponsored Event
to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is
$5.00 per session.
• Martial Arts

15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance)
780-328-6414

[email protected]

[email protected]
Drop-ins welcome.
Monthly Meetings---------------------- 2:30pm
 Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street)
 2nd
See Edmonton Primetimers
• Volleyball, Recreational

Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave)

[email protected]
• Women’s Lacrosse

Sharon: 780-461-0017

Pam: 780-436-7374
Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are
welcome. Call for info.
• Yoga

Lion's Breath Yoga Studio (10350-124 Street)

[email protected]
Womonspace

780-482-1794

[email protected]

www.womonspace.ca
Women’s social group, but all welcome at events.
Youth Understanding Youth

780-248-1971
 www.yuyedm.ca
A support and social group for queer youth 12-25.
• Sports and Recreation

Brendan: 780-488-3234

[email protected]
Restaurants
5 The Junction-------------------------------

10242 106th St
 780-756-5667
12 Woody’s-------------------------------------✰
 780-488-6557

11725 Jasper Ave
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 Church

10209 - 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 OUTing

Second Sunday every month, 7pm
An LGBT-focused alternative worship.
www.gaycalgary.com
 Edmonton Contd.
• Film Night

Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates.
• Book Club

Monthly, contact us for exact dates.
Theatre & Fine Arts
Exposure Festival

http://www.exposurefestival.ca
Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival.
The Roxy Theatre

10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB

780-453-2440

www.theatrenetwork.ca
BANFF/CANMORE
Community Groups
Mountain Pride

BOX 4892, BANFF, AB, T1L 1G1

Brian, 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
GALAP

10113 - 103 Ave, T8V 1C2

780-512-1990
ALBERTA
Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA)

University of Lethbridge  [email protected]
GBLTTQQ club on campus.
Community Groups
• Movie Night

Room C610, University of Lethbridge
Gay Youth Alliance Group

Betty, 403-381-5260  [email protected]

Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm
Lethbridge HIV Connection

1206 - 6 Ave S
PFLAG Canada

1-888-530-6777

[email protected]

www.pflagcanada.ca
Pride Lethbridge

[email protected]
RED DEER
Community Groups
Affirm
Central Alberta AIDS Network Society

4611-50 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
YouthSafe

http://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.

Sunnybrook 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!
CANADA
Community Groups
Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group

http://www.albertatrans.org
Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition

P..O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9

(306) 955-5135

1-800-955-5129

http://www.rainbowhealth.ca
Egale Canada

8 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
OUTtv

http://www.outtv.ca
GLBT Television Station.
A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of
where they may be on the continuum.
Gay and Lesbian Association of the Peace.
• Wednesday Coffee Nights
LETHBRIDGE
Community Groups
GALA/LA

403-308-2893

http://www.galalethbridge.ca
Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area.
• Monthly Dances

Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S)
Bring your membership card and photo ID.
• Monthly Potluck Dinners

McKillop 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 Line

403-308-2893

Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm
Leave a message any other time.
• Friday Mixer

The Mix (green water tower)
103 Mayor Magrath Dr S

Every Friday at 10pm
www.gaycalgary.com
23
Politics
Skating Out of The Closet: Is The NHL Ready?
Political Column
By Stephen Lock
The issue of gay, and lesbian, athletes comes up in
the media every so often. To date, no athlete who is
currently active in his or he, respective sport has come
out, although several who have since retired have done
so.
The issue has been kicking around for decades. The first
major athlete to come out was champion tennis player Bill
Tilden in 1920. Tilden was a three-time winner at Wimbledon,
won seven US championships, and lead US teams to seven
Davis Cup victories during his time. His homosexuality was an
“open secret” throughout his career.
In recent times, an NFL running back by the name of David
Kopay made international headlines by becoming the first
professional team sports athlete to come out, and that was
back in 1975. He played for several teams including the San
Francisco 49ers (1964-67), Detroit Lions (1968), Washington
Redskins (1969-1970), New Orleans Saints (1971), and the
Green Bay Packers (1972). Following his coming out, Kopay,
who had retired from playing and was seeking to coach
football, found it difficult to find a job as a coach.
The first gay man to come out while still actively playing
for a professional team sport was British soccer player Justin
Fashanu in 1988. He committed suicide ten years later at the
age of 36, following allegations he had sexually assaulted a
teenaged boy in the US.
In Canada, we have Brian Orser who was outed by an exboyfriend in a palimony suit, Mark Tewksbury an Olympic
gold medalist in swimming who came out after he retired, and
Toller Cranston who made no secret of his gayness but never
actually declared it either.
But it is perhaps in the world of professional team sports
that the issue creates the most anxiety and controversy.
While it is “known” there are gay players within the NHL, for
instance - law of averages alone would suggest that - none have
dared come out. And those who have “come out” after being
molested by coach Graham James, namely Sheldon Kennedy
and Theo Fleury, are both avowedly heterosexual with no
suggestion whatsoever of being homosexual. The support
within the ranks of professional hockey for both Kennedy and
Fleury is notable, but even at that, it took them years before
they were able to come forward publicly. Imagine what a gay
player must be going through and, if a player did come out,
would he be supported by his peers or vilified? Nobody knows.
However, there are some indications such support may
be there. Sean Avery, the controversial and trash-talking
24
forward for the New York Rangers, (notorious for his “sloppy
seconds” comment regarding ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert
dating Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf) declared in
February he would absolutely support a player who came out.
“If there’s a kid in Canada or wherever who is playing and
really loves the game and wants to keep playing but he’s
worried about coming out, I’d tell him to pick up the phone
and call (NHLPA Executive Director) Donald Fehr and tell him
to book me a plane ticket. I’ll stand beside him in the dressing
room while he tells his teammates he is gay. Maybe if Sean
Avery is there, they would have less of a problem with it.”
Avery is not what one might call a sensitive sort of guy.
He’s tough. He’s got a mouth and a half on him. He’s driven,
competitive and even a little pushy. If a total jock like Avery
simply doesn’t have a problem playing with a gay teammate
maybe there’s hope yet.
Of course, when it comes to professional team sports the
concern (if we can call it that) about having an openly gay
person on the team is the same as the concerns we heard about
having openly gay military personnel. How comfortable will
the straight athletes be, parading around the dressing room
naked or showering together, when there’s a guy everyone
knows is into guys in the room? The general consensus seems
to be: not too comfortable. Gosh...what if he comes on to one
of them or something? Pure hooey.
The thing is, there probably is already at least one guy in
the room who is into other guys and if he hasn’t hit on his
teammates by now, he’s not going to...and even if he does, (hot
porn fantasies aside) so what? A polite, ”no thanks, dude” is
enough...or words to that effect.
Chris Stevenson, a sports columnist for the Sun Media
chain of which the Calgary Sun newspaper is a part, wrote in
his February 4th column about Brendan Burke, the 20-year
old student manager of the University of Miami at Ohio hockey
team who publicly came out. Burke’s father is President and
General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke,
and his brother is Patrick Burke, a scout for the Philadelphia
Flyers. His family and his team supported him in his decision.
A few months after coming out, however, Brendan Burke
died in a car crash in Indiana.
Stevenson poses the questions a year after Brendan Burke’s
death, are we any closer to seeing the first openly gay player
in the NHL, and is the NHL ready for it? He writes that Mark
Tewksbury, who had some major issues about coming out
himself and spent years being protected by friends and family
before finally deciding to self-declare, is quoted as saying there
www.gaycalgary.com
will have to be a major cultural shift within hockey before a
gay player would be comfortable enough to come out.
“I used to think it would take a brave player, but now I
think it will take a brave, open-minded general manager,” he
quotes Tewksbury as saying. “Brian Burke is the archetype
of the macho hockey (executive). If he’s open-minded - if
he’s willing - then there’s a glimmer of hope there can be a
systemic change.”
And that is the crux of the issue. It will take a systemic
change, a major cultural shift within the sport, before an
openly gay athlete would be accepted. The sport is, like all
such enterprises, a conservative environment. Players are
concerned about public perception of their prowess and
any suggestion they or the sport they’re in, no matter how
remote or how distanced it may be from them themselves,
are somehow “less than” masculine is going to elicit a strong
reaction. Of course, those of us who are familiar with the
culture of being gay, who are gay, totally understand sexual
orientation has nothing to do with the degree of masculinity
one possesses. The perception that gay equals effeminate is
still a pervasive one in heterosexual culture, and one I have
never been able to understand.
Not only are some players going to react but, since this is a
multi-million dollar business, hockey executives are going to
voraciously attempt to protect their bottom line. Investors are
going to be really nervous about public reaction. Company
executives are going to be anxious about their product being
endorsed by an openly gay player. The fan in the seats may
not care...or be a constant source of heckling.
If the sport has an openly gay player I can guarantee you
there will be parents across Canada who will speak out about
the “damage” it has done to having their little boys playing
league hockey. Somehow, for some of them, having a gay player
will negatively impact the game, somehow render it suspect,
even unwholesome. What effect will having little Johnny’s
favourite player being a - gasp! - homosexual, have on him?
All this is a consideration for any player contemplating coming
out, whether fair or not.
Totally ridiculous, of course, but such are the realities
of dealing with a dominant culture with no understanding,
insight, or even interest in our realities.
However, Patrick Burke says he has seen signs of positive
change since his brother came out.
“In the last year, both publicly and privately, I think we have
seen a great deal of progress. For people who haven’t really
been exposed to [someone who is gay], hopefully it did kind of
open up some eyes.”
Not only has Sean Avery come out (so to speak) in support
of a potentially openly gay player but, Ottawa Senators’ team
captain, Daniel Alfredsson, has been quoted as saying: “If
[a player was] gay, it would probably be really hard to have
to hide it all the time. There will always be people opposed
to it, I suppose, but I have a feeling that, overall, it would be
accepted...I wouldn’t personally have an issue or feel anything
[negative] toward someone who is gay.”
Statements such as those made by Alfredsson and Avery
are, indeed, encouraging. Perhaps there is a small change
starting to happen within the ranks of the NHL, and maybe
from there it will spread to other professional team sports. We
won’t know until a player takes that step across the threshold
of his closet and comes out, prepared to take the flack and
constant analyzing that every sports writer and commentator
is going to give for weeks; about the effect coming out will
have, might have, on his career, on his team, on the sport, on
the bottom line, ad infinitum.
www.gaycalgary.com
25
Editorial
Atheism, Sex and Sexuality
By Evan Kayne
This month, the Center for Inquiry will bring in a speaker who is
both atheist and queer. What she has to say is just as important
to the LGBTQ community as it is to the atheist community.
Greta Christina was recently ranked by an independent analyst
as one of the Top Ten most popular atheist bloggers. As a regular
atheist correspondent for AlterNet, the online political magazine,
she has been writing about atheism and skepticism since 2005.
Her writing has appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, and
anthologies, including Ms., Skeptical Inquirer, the Chicago SunTimes, and the anthology Everything You Know About God Is Wrong.
As well, Greta has written for years on topics including sexuality
and sex-positivity, LGBTQ issues, politics, culture, and whatever
crosses her mind. On March 12th, that will be atheism and how it
can impact sex and sexuality.
This is important as most of us with a religious background
contend with traditional religion’s sexual morality, which tends
to be based on a set of taboos about what kinds of sex God does
and doesn’t want people to have, rather than being based on solid
ethical principles. While the sex-positive community offers a more
thoughtful view of sexual morality, it often still frames sexuality as
positive by seeing it as a spiritual experience.
However, according to Greta it still shouldn’t be. Instead, as she
told me, “our sexuality and our sexual ethics need to be reality
based.” It’s similar to, but an expansion on sex columnist Dan
Savage’s concept that sexuality between two (or more) consenting
partners need be “good, giving, and game”. It speaks towards our
core ethical values and how it impacts our sex life.
Core human ethical values have been recently researched by
anthropologists, neuropsychologists, and psychologists. As Greta
told me, from this data we need to consider, “what are the ethical
values that seem to be wired into us as a social species from
hundreds of millions of years of evolution.” Throughout the world
and throughout history, humans have developed recurring ethical
principles such as preventing harm, being fair and just, and being
honest, for example.
While different people and different cultures prioritize some
values over others, over all these values are applicable to all areas of
our lives: politics, money, family life, friendships, employment, and
the laws we create to govern our society.
Therefore, it makes sense we apply them to our sexuality too.
“When we’re looking at sexual ethics we need to look at what are
our ethics in all areas of life and how can we apply them to sex,”
Greta stressed. This includes things like: are we being willing and
open to try new things, are we adding to pleasure and satisfaction
in the world or are we detracting from it? Are we being fair with our
partner? Perhaps most importantly, is there clear consent? “Consent
is a huge area of sexual ethics and it’s one I talk about.”
Besides discussing atheist sexual ethics, Greta will discuss
how we can achieve sexual transcendence without a belief in
the supernatural. “I think that’s something that’s going to be of
interest to a lot of Queers because Queer religion tends not to be
very traditional.” By not traditional she means spiritual new age
mysticism; what she wants to do is offer us a secular alternative
which doesn’t deal in these quasi-religious symbols, all while seeing
sex as still magnificent and transcendent.
I asked her if she thought the LGBTQ community, because of their
open-mindedness, was a bit more sexually ethical – a notion Greta
dismissed. “What I do think...queer people are less likely to make
their sexual decisions by default.”
Our community, she asserts, has had to “reinvent the wheel”;
we’ve had to make up our own expectations of what it means to be
a man or a woman, what it means to be a lover and a partner. In
contrast, heterosexual folk have a set of expectations handed to them
from day one detailing how a man should act, how a woman should
act, and how the two interact. With same-sex couples, there is a
level of communication required to understand the other partner’s
position; consequently, our community tends to have a higher rate
of sexual satisfaction.
This is not to say there aren’t expectations in the LGBTQ
community. For example, Greta and I vented our frustrations with
the expectations of past sexual partners – i.e. are you butch/femme;
26
are you a top/bottom. Neither of us fit into, nor like, these labels and
it’s irritating to assume we are one or the other.
Yet Greta does think in the heterosexual world – especially among
the more cosmopolitan set – they are starting to break away from
the expectations of what it is to be a straight male, or a straight
female. She suspects it’s because of the mainstreaming of the queer
community – as more straight people are making LGBTQ friends,
our ideas are rubbing off on them. “The questioning of gender roles,
the questioning of relationship status, questioning of what sexual
relationships have to look like,” are starting to make it into our
culture as a whole.
In Greta’s experience, the heterosexual world is also starting
to equal and surpass our community, not only in breaking away
from set sexual expectations, but in their growing affirmation of
atheism. “My experience as a Queer Atheist has been that the atheist
movement has been very accepting of me as a Queer person...and
not just accepting, very welcoming...unfortunately it hasn’t worked
the other way around.”
Greta finds the LGBTQ community tends to be uncomfortable
with outspoken atheists. While our community has been shifting
in the direction of progressive spirituality (especially progressive
Christianity, progressive New Age religions etc.), it’s still leaving
LGBTQ atheists out in the cold.
What’s worrying is a lot of the newer atheists are drawn from
the younger generations. As someone who’s talked to young Queer
atheists at speaking engagements, Greta has discovered both her
and LGBTQ youth are getting the same message: atheists love the
Queer atheists but the Queers want the atheist Queers to shut up.
And this is alienating the youth. “I think it’s driving them away from
the Queer movement.”
Greta herself feels alienated by the Queer community, especially
when she goes to conferences for the LGBTQ community and there
is all this God-talk. She doesn’t want to silence these people, rather,
she’d like to find a way for believers in the LGBTQ community to
express their beliefs without making it the default standard for
being Queer. In America, the mainstream is still staunchly religious,
so as the American LBGTQ community becomes mainstream it
is likewise adopting religion. Greta suspects some factions of the
LGBTQ community have pushed religion to the forefront to be more
appealing to the average American.
As well, Greta has experienced Queers themselves passing on
inaccurate (if not bigoted) information about atheists. As Greta
recounted some of the misconceptions LGBTQ people had about
atheists, I had a feeling of deja vu, thinking wait a minute...isn’t this
the kind of tactic the Christian right pull on the LGBTQ community?
Often, as Greta told me, this comes from the same place – fear and
www.gaycalgary.com
ignorance: “...they haven’t bothered to sit down for five minutes and
talk with an Atheist.”
Sometimes these misconceptions can get downright insulting.
Greta has even heard the accusation within the LGBT community
that, without the guidance of a higher power, atheists have no moral
directive.
“That’s so frustrating to hear that from people who are on our
side. Especially because the atheist movement is so gay positive.”
She doesn’t mean just welcoming – lots of heterosexual atheist
activists are passionate about LGBTQ issues. She knows straight
atheists who were blogging about Prop 8 before she was. “They are a
very powerful ally for the LGBT movement, and it’s very frustrating
to see the LGBT movement treat us (atheists) as an embarrassment.”
Strategically, Greta is worried about this attitude because as
atheism grows and makes inroads – especially among the younger
generations – the LGBTQ movement may shoot itself in the foot by
alienating them.
Furthermore, to those who think that without God, humans would
have no morals, Greta says, “Is that the only reason you don’t kill
or steal, is because you’re afraid you’ll go to hell? If I could prove to
you with absolute certainty God didn’t exist, would you suddenly kill
me?” One would hope the answer to be no, as beyond religious belief,
most people still have ethics and a sense of compassion. Yet the
assumption is still, without the fear of punishment, we’d be terrible
people – and Greta argues this is simply not true. “If religion is such
a defence against unethical behaviour, why are so many religious
people behaving so badly?” Not that Greta thinks religious people
behave worse than Atheists, but they don’t necessarily behave better.
Granted, some of the resistance that the atheist movement faces
may be specific to the United States. When preparing this article,
I read news stories detailing how one soldier in Iraq was harassed
because he admitted he was an atheist - this included ominous
warnings that he just might catch some “friendly fire” one day
because of his non-belief in a higher power. The atmosphere in the
States is highly political, and for someone to state he or she is an
atheist seems almost as bad as (or to some people, worse than) a
declaration of one’s homosexuality.
Canada tends to be a bit more open and respectful of others’
opinions. If an atheist in Canada experienced the same bigoted
reactions they would get south of the border, there would be a minor
media outrage. Atheism is one more idea to challenge the status quo
and call upon our society to rethink and improve.
As members of the LGBTQ community we need to remember we
challenge the status quo on a daily basis...and that’s not a bad thing.
Additionally, because of the wide variety of people in our community,
we usually try to practise inclusion. Queer Atheists, much like most
of our LGBTQ religious friends, act and behave just as good and
just as bad as the people in the general populace. For the religious
among us to assume everyone believes in a god is no different than
the straight community assuming everyone is straight. No matter
your spiritual beliefs, atheists deserve the same as anyone else –
respect and equality.
Greta Christina will be speaking at the University of Calgary the
afternoon of Saturday, March 12th – see the end of this article for
details.
Q Scopes
“Indulge, Libra!”
Spring fever hits early with Venus sextile Jupiter tempting us to
new friends, fun, and flirtation. Then she aspects Mars, eager
to realize the dreams inspired by Jupiter. Venus and Mars will
aspect Saturn, bringing everything back down to earth. Get
grounded with fresh new perspectives and you’re ahead of the
game!

ARIES (March 20–April 19): Too many social temptations
make it harder to get things done, but you could organize your
friends in a productive way, especially in a charitable service.
That could introduce you to your next mate, or cement an
existing partnership.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20): Your initiative and innovations
are getting good notice. Opportunities and responsibilities are
about to grow. Share the credit along with the work and you’ll
get lots of support from behind the scenes.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Friendly encouragement is
welcome, but remember that’s what friends are for. When you
parlay their faith into actual constructive efforts you’ll run into
new obstacles. Accept those creative challenges and justify the
regard of your admirers.


CANCER (June 21–July 22): Your public reputation and
career advances will enhance your opportunities for private fun
and games. That could feed a cycle of benefits on both sides,
but all that could be a distraction from necessary work at home.

LEO (July 23–August 22): Being very accommodating
to your partner, especially in bed, will help you reach new
understandings in your relationship. You may then hit a wall,
but that was always there. It will give you a better understanding
of how to negotiate limits.

VIRGO (August 23–September 22): Getting too clever at
work can confuse your colleagues. Listen at least twice as much
as you talk. Taking the lead, you’ll just go in circles. Stick to what
everyone knows you’re good at and trust others on your team.

LIBRA (September 23–October 22): Indulge those playful
urges, even your wicked streak. Just remember your partner is
with you against the rest of the world. If single, any prospective
partner will be all the more eager to be on your side.

SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): Creativity, and
perhaps even a dash of perversity, is the key to getting through
any task, no matter how onerous. If you can hold on to that
attitude you can clear away a lot of household drudgery.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 20): Your efforts to
be brilliant and playful could prove more confusing than amusing
to the folks at home. Your friends kind of get it, but the act still
needs a bit more work. It’s OK; they all still love you.

Greta Christina
http://gretachristina.typepad.com/
CAPRICORN (December 21–January 19): To get ahead
more effectively you have to appreciate where you came from.
Siblings, even if they seem angry or confused, have important
lessons for you. Make a gratitude list.
Speaking Engagement
Sat, Mar 12th – 3:30pm
Earth Science Building, Room 162
University of Calgary (2500 University Drive NW)
AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): Try a new look based
on your most underappreciated asset, physical or otherwise. That
will start some fun discussions and then some arguments, but
that’s the point! You’re used to stretching other people’s brains,
now push your own to new limits.
Tickets
$10 General Admission, $5 Students
Free for friends of the Centre for Inquiry and U of C Freethinkers
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1233179473/autohome
www.gaycalgary.com

PISCES (February 19–March 19): Worries? Doubts? Not
sure where you’re going? Never forget to meditate! Getting into
frenzy and going off half-cocked carries a huge price. Calm that
overheated brain and answers to your problems will come into
focus

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
27
Gossip
Tilda’s Thai debut?
 Bradley Cooper, Photo by New Line Cinema
Deep Inside Hollywood
Lee Daniels eyes Bradley Cooper
By Romeo San Vicente
What movie will Lee Daniels (Precious) make next? It seems
like he has a new potential project every few weeks. Will it
be Selma like we keep hearing? The Butler? That remake of
Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria? Well, the answer is maybe “none of
the above” if The Paperboy happens. Based on Pete Dexter’s
1995 novel, it’s a crime thriller about two brothers pulled into
the investigation of a rural sheriff’s murder and it’s set to star
I Am Number Four’s hot young thing Alex Pettyfer. Word is that
Daniels is already reading actors for roles and has made offers
to both Bradley Cooper to play Pettyfer’s older brother and to
Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara. Of course, what Precious fans
want to know is if there’s a part for Gabourey Sidibe in all this,
because given the fleeting nature of deals and shelved projects,
literally anything can still happen at this point. So stay tuned
for further speculation.
That tiny sound you just
barely heard was the collective
swoon and sigh of art film
fans who very much want the
following project to hurry up and
become real: hyper-acclaimed
gay Thai filmmaker Apichatpong
Weerasethakul, whose latest
film Uncle Boonmee Who Can
Recall His Past Lives won the
Palme d’Or at Cannes and is
currently in a handful of U.S.
arthouse cinemas, is working
on his next film, Mekong Hotel.
And it looks like it might star
Queen of Everything Cool, Tilda
Swinton. What’s it about? The
director says it will “address the
relationship between man and
water, the catastrophic flooding
which is blamed on Chinese
dams and diseases spread by
industrial-scale pig farming.” Of
course, if that’s the case then
expect those themes to be dealt
with obliquely; Weerasethakul is
infamous for plotlines that feel
baffling right down to the closing
credits. But who cares, really,
because if Swinton winds up
taking part it’ll get the visionary
director seen by even more sets
of confused eyes. And in the
movie business that’s how you
win.
Lesbian directors are all right
Everything’s coming up deals for two lesbian directors. One of them
is hot off an Oscar-nominated success story. The other one brushed up
against Academy Award acclaim a few years ago. And both of them have
high profile projects lined up. Lisa Cholodenko, whose The Kids Are All
Right is the movie to beat in the Best Actress race, is taking on the film
adaptation of Tom Perrotta’s novel The Abstinence Teacher. In the same
vein as Perrotta’s earlier stories, Election and Little Children, it will mine
anxiety in suburbia when a New Jersey sex education teacher has to
battle local conservative forces that would seek to silence her curriculum.
Meanwhile, tough-minded Boys Don’t Cry filmmaker Kimberly Peirce has
set up The Knife at Universal, a true crime drama about an L.A. gang
member-turned-FBI-informant whose life is in constant danger. No casts
or start dates for either of these projects, but details are sure to come
soon enough.
Romeo San Vicente thinks abstinence is hilarious. He can be reached care
of this publication.
Griffin’s Gleeful Tea Party
It wouldn’t be a proper week of entertainment news if the
Glee PR machine didn’t have some kind of announcement. And
this week’s flash is the addition of a new right-wing character
to the cast. A Tea Party-loving, homeschooling, Sarah Palin
type. Played by Kathy Griffin. Now, contrast that casting
announcement with creator Ryan Murphy’s stated intention
to make this character part of the show’s inclusive vibe. Does
anyone think it’s possible to have it both ways? Will it ride the
outside edge of insulting, like the way Ashley Fink’s character
Lauren Zizes gets to be powerful and the butt of fat jokes? Will
the show simply abandon the character and her story lines
when the next sensational musical guest star comes along? Can
politically outspoken Kathy Griffin play a sympathetic rightwinger without smirking? And, more to the point, how long
before Sarah Palin takes to the Internet with a video explaining
how offended she is?
28
www.gaycalgary.com
Lifestyle
Cocktail Chatter
I Get What I Deserve: The Hot Toddy and Heads in the Clouds: The Aviation
by Ed Sikov
“I’b biserable,” I shnuffled from my sickroom-sweaty side of the bed. Dan
didn’t answer. “I’b biserable!” I shouted, then broke into a coughing fit of
such violent proportions that, well, I’ll spare you the details – not that I don’t
want to describe my mucus with the vividness and color one associates with
a great travelogue or restaurant review, but it would be edited out anyway on
grounds of revulsion. Dan came rushing in from the living room. I was wiping
something yellowy-chartreuse from my upper lip. “You’re a mess, honey,” he
said, quoting Dietrich in Touch of Evil.
“Da-a-an?” I cooed.
“I know that tone,” he said warily. “What do you want now?”
“A hod doddy.”
“A what?”
“A hod doddy!” I said before expelling more green stuff from my lungs.
“Oh, a hot toddy. I have no idea how to make one. You’re the cocktails
guy.”
I wasn’t fond of this aspect of Dan’s personality – the willful ignorance
of domestic tasks. Three Harvard degrees, a job that demands brilliance,
research grants so plentiful that they remind me of The Producers (50 percent
of his time gets charged to this grant, 30 percent to that one, 40 percent
to another, a little 20 percent grant to top it off….). And he can’t sew on a
button, locate a colander, or bake be a dabbed hod doddy!
“Neber mide,” I said. I wrapped myself in a heavy hooded robe that made
me look like a Trappist, shuffled into the kitchen, rooted through the liquor
cabinet, and promptly knocked over the bottle of herb-infused Absolut I’d
made in the fall. “Shid!” I cried after the glass shattered on the merciless
tiles. What was left of my Scarborough Fairs spread quickly across the floor.
Dan, contrite at forcing me to make my own drink, kindly offered to clean up
the mess. When I returned to the kitchen, the only remnant of my delightful
autumn tincture was the faint aroma of rosemary.
“Dis id de way de world will end – not wid a whimper but wid a hideous
and defeadig crash,” I said sadly and snottily. I found the bourbon and
gripped it like a barbell dangling over my head.
“You have a Ph.D. and you don’t know what mutatis mutandis means?”
He was appalled.
“Fuck you,” I explained.
We’ve been doing this for years. We’re all academics or ex-academics.
Dan has three degrees – B.A., MBA, and Ph.D. – all from Harvard. I have
a Ph.D. from Columbia; Ted has one from Princeton and teaches at NYU;
his partner, Eric, has an M.F.A. from Columbia and taught at Wellesley
but now writes screenplays that actually get made into movies. You may
have caught the farcical Brainiacs on cable; Eric wrote it. This dinner
party demonstrated where he got his material.
We were flying on Aviations. I was in avast liquor emporium on the
Upper East Side last week – I rarely go up there, since I’m deathly
allergic to cashmere sweaters and simple strands of pearls – and saw
Creme de Violette on the shelf with a little printed recipe for the Aviation.
Maraschino, was nearby. I bought both.
By Maraschino, I don’t mean the syrup in which innocent cherries are
drowned in artificially flavored, carcinogenically colored sugar water so
children can have their first drug rushes. I mean the clear cherry liqueur,
which Italians make from Marasca cherries and their crushed pits. Et la
Creme de Violette? Yes, it’s really made from violets and thus wins the
title of The Gayest Liqueur Ever, there being no Creme de Pansy.
I played around with the recipes I found online at the marvelous blog
www.sippetysup.com, where I learned that the drink has the reputation
of being a 1930s cocktail, but it actually dates from 1916, when only
a few people ever saw an airplane, let alone flew in one. In those days,
flying into the sky in a technological wonder seemed miraculous. The
Aviation celebrates that magic. It has by far the loveliest color of any
cocktail I’ve ever seen – watercolor-pale lavender. And it’s extraordinarily
luscious. Now that air travel is like taking the bus, except that the bus is
on time, the aeroplanes’s early thrill is long gone. Unless, of course, you
make yourself and your smarty-pants friends Aviations, in which case
you’ll all quickly be even higher than your IQs.
The Aviation (a variation on the classic)
You can make a hot toddy out of practically any liquor, but the darker
ones – whiskey, bourbon, scotch, brandy – are the classics. You can also
use hot tea as a base. But I like cocktails to be cocktails and tea and coffee
to be just tea and coffee. (There will be no Irish Coffee column, for instance,
because it’s repugnant.) And I only drink hot toddies when I’m sick. The
combination of those good old-fashioned cold fighters, honey and lemon,
with a scientifically proven germ killer, bourbon, works best for me when I’m
hacking up thick, slippery blobs of sputum that look like somebody made
Jello out of thin, rotten pea soup and…. oh, right. Forget it.
Note: Martini glasses are much larger now than they were
in the early 20th century. This recipe fills one 2011 glass or
two old-style glasses.
Half-cup of Beefeater gin
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Maraschino
1-and-a-half teaspoon Creme de Violette
Half-teaspoon “really” simple syrup – mix equal parts sugar
and water in a jar and shake until the sugar dissolves
The hot toddy
Boil 1/4 to 1/3 cups of water. Into a mug or heatproof
glass, pour enough honey to coat the bottom. Add 1 or 2
teaspoons of lemon juice, and give it a stir. Pour in the amount
of bourbon you think will kill enough germs to make the
drink seem healthy. (Most recipes call for two tablespoons,
but that’s like taking an antibiotic for which the bacteria is
thoroughly resistant.) Pour in the boiling water, stir, and
enjoy the drink’s curative effects.
Chill the martini glass(es).
Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and chill in the
freezer for five or 10 minutes.
Take glass(es) and shaker out, add a few ice cubes to the
shaker, and shake as though your life depended on it. Strain
into the frosty glass(es) and hope that a few shards of ice rise
to the top.
Heads in the Clouds: The Aviation
“So, mutatis mutandis, the LGBT community…” Ted was lecturing
about marriage equality from his podium on our living room couch.
“What?” I blurted. Cocktail “hour” was pushing 90 minutes. I should
have served the lamb stew and couscous already, but I couldn’t get out
of the chair.
Ed Sikov is the author of Dark Victory: The Life of Bette Davis and other
books about films and filmmakers.
“The gay community must shift its praxis from the dystopic to the….”
“No, before that. You said ‘mucous mucandies.’ What the hell does
that mean?”
www.gaycalgary.com
29
Photography
Photography
ISCWR Oscar Party at Woody’s, Edmonton (photos by B&J)
30
ISCCA Barkley’s Birthday Show at Fab, Calgary
www.gaycalgary.com
Photography
Photography
Pride Calgary Silent Auction at Art Central, Calgary
www.gaycalgary.com
Uptown Oscar Du 2011 at the Uptown, Calgary
31
Photography
Wish Upon A Queen at Twisted Element - Calgary
32
Queen of Hearts the Junction - Edmonton (photos by B&J)
www.gaycalgary.com
Photography
Straight to Diva at the Calgary Eagle, Calgary
Take Back the Night Art Exhibit at the Marque Room, Calgary
Divas to Disney at the Texas Lounge, Calgary
www.gaycalgary.com
33
Road-Tripping Across Spain
Out of Town
 Granada’s legendary Alhambra fortress clings to a hillside in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Photo by Andrew Collins
by Andrew Collins
As a road-tripping destination for GLBT travelers, there may
not be a better place to go in Europe than Spain. It’s relatively
economical and easy to drive through this increasingly
progressive country, that legalized gay marriage in 2005. It is
dotted with cities and resorts popular with gay vacationers,
and drives between key destinations often reveal stunning
views of the Mediterranean, high desert mesas and snowcapped
mountaintops.
I rented a car with a friend last summer and embarked on a twoweek road-trip covering the eastern two-thirds of the country - I missed
the regions near the Portuguese border and north along the Atlantic
(including Bilbao, which I’m eager to visit). But with just 14 days, my
friend and I knew we had to exercise. We still managed to visit about
a dozen towns and cities, some for the afternoon and others for two or
three nights. All told, we drove roughly the distance between San Diego
and Vancouver. It was a great adventure - my first serious extended
driving trip in Europe.
Here’s a quick recap of our trip, which commenced in Barcelona in the
northeast and ended in Malaga along the Costa del Sol, along with tips
about planning a similar trip yourself to Spain or elsewhere in Europe.
We started in Barcelona, and I recommend beginning - and possibly
ending - any European road trip with larger cities in which you plan
to spend a few nights. Obviously, big cities have more international
direct flights to choose from. They’re also usually easy to get to explore
without a car. In fact, as they tend to generate plenty of traffic and have
expensive parking, they’re better visited without a car. We spent our
first three days in Barcelona without wheels (this included a day trip to
the gay resort town of Sitges, which is extremely easy to reach by train),
saving money and hassle.
From Barcelona our route across Spain looked a bit like a backwards
“Z” - southwest to Madrid with a stop in Zaragoza (the heart of Aragonese
Spain), then southeast to Valencia detouring for the afternoon to Cuenca,
a stunning ancient city renowned for its 15th-century “hanging houses,”
one of which now contains a respected contemporary art museum.
Here you can see a big advantage to driving - it allowed us to make
impromptu detours to a variety of places we’d never have considered
visiting had we been traveling by plane or even by train or bus. Without
having to adhere to timetables or figure out public transportation
logistics, we were able to make the most of our time, and even choose
some wonderfully scenic routes. It helps that I love both driving and
34
navigating (for this I relied solely on GPS and Google Maps on my Verizon
smart phone, which has global roaming - unlimited data plans cost
about $2 a day).
From Valencia we turned down the Costa Blanca to Alicante (spending
that night in nearby Elche), then followed the sea through the only
forgettable part of our trip - the bland, condo-infested resort of Torrevieja.
But we soon cut inland and up through the spectacular Sierra Nevada
mountains to reach Moorish grandeur of Granada, where we spent the
better part of the following day exploring the fabled Alhambra Palace.
We then continued west through Spain’s Andalusian countryside to
the romantic city of Sevilla, and after two nights there cut southeast
over the mountains to the Costa del Sol - stopping for a few hours in the
picturesque cliff-top village of Ronda - before continuing to another of
Spain’s top gay vacation spots, Torremolinos. We spent two final nights
in Malaga, a somewhat underrated coastal city of about 570,000 with a
lively Old City rife with sidewalk cafes, shops, and a smattering of gay
establishments.
Leading destination
Spain has become southern Europe’s leading destination for GLBT
vacationers, especially travelers from the United Kingdom, Germany,
Scandinavia, and other northern European nations. Barcelona and
Madrid are tops among the big cities for gay travel, with Seville equally
popular, though less for its gay scene and more for its celebration of
Andalusian culture and cuisine. Valencia and Malaga possess more
modest gay scenes but are also well-worth visiting. Granada has a
limited but fun gay scene for a city its size (240,000), and Alicante was
probably the biggest surprise for me. This seaside resort city on the
Costa Blanca supports an extremely vibrant gay following (especially
with British visitors) and contains more GLBT nightlife options than
much larger cities like Valencia or Seville.
Among resort communities, tiny Sitges and Torremolinos have gay
bars, resorts, and vacation rentals galore, as do two other communities
that you must reach by plane or boat: Gran Canaria, which is the second
most populous of the Canary Islands, a 2.5-hour flight from Madrid, and
the famed party haven of Ibiza, just an hour by plane from Barcelona.
As with Barcelona, a car is arguably more bother than benefit in big
cities like Madrid, Seville and Valencia. If you’re visiting these cities for
more than two or three days, it’s worth ditching your rental car at the
airport, and renting a new one when you leave. In our case, we stuck
the rental car in a garage when we arrived, and picked it up again upon
departing.
www.gaycalgary.com
Travel
The 25 to 30 euros per night we spent on parking was still a better
deal to us than constantly returning and renting new cars, which would
have required taxi rides and wasting time getting to and from rental
agencies. Also, it’s cheaper to rent weekly than daily, so having the car
for a full 11 days worked out more economically than had we rented
different cars for two or three days at a time. Finally, having the one car
with us the entire trip allowed us to leave some of our belongings in the
trunk.
It’s worth noting that car theft is a significant issue in Spain, but
you’re unlikely to be affected by it if you exercise prudence - park in
secure garages, store nothing in a part of the car that’s visible through
the window, and keep no valuables in the car. We left only non-valuable
belongings in our car when unattended, and we stored them in a
concealed trunk.
Over the 11 days, we paid $380 (including all taxes and a roughly
$70 surcharge for returning the car in a different city) for a mid-size
car, which I booked on Expedia from Dollar Rent A Car a few weeks in
advance. We saved money renting a manual-transmission car, not only
because rates for these are far lower in Europe than for automatics,
but because they get better gas mileage. It cost about $50 to fill the
tank. We did run into some steeply priced toll highways (about $30 from
Barcelona to Zaragoza, for example - they all take Visa and Mastercard),
but many other major highways in Spain were toll-free.
We also paid extra for international auto insurance, which is a must.
Most U.S. policies don’t cover international car rentals, and credit card
companies typically don’t either, but it’s important that you first contact
these companies before you decide to rent a car to find out what sort
of coverage you might already have. I purchased comprehensive auto
insurance through Expedia for a very reasonable $11 per day.
network of high-speed, limited-access highways, gas stations are
prolific, and even in smaller town roads are usually in good shape. And
you’re comfortable behind the wheel driving in new places, it’s a great
destination for road-tripping.
If driving is less your cup of tea, but you’d still like to tour multiple
cities in Spain, consider flying among a few key destinations - such as
Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Malaga - and using buses or trains for
side trips. Another option is to buy a Spain Eurail Pass (http://www.
eurail.com), and rely on solely on trains to get around.
A final thought: we visited in July because it best suited out schedule,
but summer is typically the most expensive time to fly to Spain from the
U.S., and the weather can be stiflingly hot. In interior cities like Madrid
and Seville, we routinely encountered daytime highs above 100 degrees,
but with low humidity. Along the coast, daytime highs hovered around
the 80s, but higher humidity made it feel hotter. Travel around Spain in
fall or spring, and you’ll likely enjoy milder weather, fewer crowds and
better rates on flights, hotels and car rentals. Winter is a decent value in
cities, but it’s high season in coastal resort areas.
For more on visiting Spain, check out the official national tourism
website (http://www.spain.info) along with the very helpful site on gay
travel in Spain, http://www.gayiberia.com.
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.
Including rental rates, insurance, gas, parking, and tolls, we spent a
comparable amount to what we would have for a similar road-trip in the
United States
Again, road-tripping in foreign countries - especially those known for
aggressive drivers, poor roads, or intense traffic - isn’t for everybody.
Spain is a relatively easy country to drive in. There’s an extensive
www.gaycalgary.com
35
Community
Alberta’s Top Ten LGBT Figures
Part One
By Janine Eva Trotta
In our recent Reader Survey we asked Albertans whom
they felt stood out as impactful community leaders, either
through personal endeavour, the efforts they exemplified
at work, in their respective roles in organizations,
committees or as volunteers.
From coronations to municipal candidacies, these community icons
spanned the gamut of encouraging community accomplishments.
The ten victors, listed in no particular rank, were selected on the basis
of what their respectful fans had to say about them.
In this March issue we list five
of the ten, with the remainder to
grace next issue’s pages.
Jason Wheeler – Owner of
FAB Bar
Jason Wheeler does well
to
exemplify
community
pride. After saying he was
“very flattered and humbled”
regarding his nomination, he
reinforced the value of achieving
a closer-knit, empowered LGBT
community.
“You have no community
without the U and I. Support
one another and don’t let our
differences
overpower
our
similarities,” Wheeler states.
four years.
Wheeler was originally born
in the United Kingdom, but
moved to Canada with his family
at the age of two. Later in life he
would return to dwell there for
“Mom and dad just wanted a better life,” he says, of the decision
to immigrate to Canada. Jason attended a Catholic school in Spruce
Grove, Alberta, not because he was Catholic but because he “needed the
discipline”. His family lived all over the country before landing back in
Calgary in 2001. At that time his employer, the airline Canada 3000, had
just gone bankrupt and his sister had moved back three months prior.
“I’m an Alberta boy at heart.”
In 2004 he began working at what is now known as the FAB Bar
(formerly Money Pennies Eatery and Bar), and in 2007 became its proud
new owner.
“One of the reasons I decided to start my own business is because
whenever I worked for someone else I always ended up being the boss,
so I thought, why not work for myself,” he recalls. “I bought an existing
business instead of starting from scratch.”
The old Money Pennies was the perfect location from which a person
with Jason’s community spirit could continue to branch out.
“I’m one of the gay men that loves lesbians,” he explains. “That’s why
I liked Money Pennies and kept it.”
Jason opted to plant his roots in Calgary for the closeness he feels
among LGBT society here.
“Calgary has such a strong community and it’s not broken up as it is
in other cities,” he says. “I think our community needs to stay together
instead of dividing themselves.”
The FAB Bar aims to illustrate that objective through a plethora of
fundraisers. As Jason interviewed, the venue was getting ready to host
a fundraiser evening for the ISCCA, a common event at FAB, and gearing
up for a fundraiser for the Weekend to Cure Breast Cancer happening
this spring.
“The [fundraising] teams come to us with ideas,” Jason tells us of the
latter initiative. In the past this has included car washes, shooter sales
and the selling of pink ribbons. “We’re encouraging unique ideas.”
In addition to running FAB with sister and co-owner Lizaine Wheeler,
the family-man also owns a catering company called Cater!nc with
his mom and dad, feeding corporate events and sometimes weddings.
Within Cater!Inc the Wheelers have also done fundraisers for the Heart
and Stroke Foundation, United Way and other staff initiatives.
“I’m very close to my family. …I have a nephew named after me, and I
was in the delivery room when he was born. That was first and last time
I saw a vagina,” he laughs.
Currently Jason resides with his little dog Oscar Myer Wheeler, his
“pretty insufferable, best buddy in the whole wide world.”
Jason’s volunteering days began working with the AIDS Network in
Edmonton, previous to his HIV diagnosis, which came 15 years ago.
“It wasn’t after my diagnosis that I became more involved [with
volunteering]. It was when I had my first serious illness as a result of
it, and realized I was so fortunate to have such close family; that all my
basic needs were taken care of, and that others are not so fortunate,”
he says. “So I like to do a lot of fundraising towards AIDS and HIV and
those involved.”
Jason currently works with AIDS Calgary and the annual AIDS Walk
for Life, breast cancer fundraisers and awareness, and sponsors door
prize every week at the Sunday Unity Bowling League, a gay bowling
league in which Wheeler also participates. He and fellow survey winner
Dion Belanger organize a World AIDS Day fundraiser and show at FAB
every year.
“Based on 10 per cent of the population being gay in Calgary, if every
[GLBT] member donated a dollar that would total $100,000,” Wheeler
asserts. His drive is again clear: he wants a community where youth
are supported and always have somewhere safe and welcoming to go to.
“If your family turns your back on you, there’s another family waiting.”
Allan Oen – Owner of Texas Lounge/Goliaths
Allan Oen (with his partner Wolfgang) has done great things in the
local community.
Allan grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and dwelled in Saskatoon
for a few years before moving to Calgary in 1995. Despite the novelty
wearing off from Calgary’s initial draw, Oen developed lasting friendships
and decided to stay.
In July of 1999, Allan began working at Goliaths Saunatel part-time,
oscillating shifts between the bar and bathhouse, before becoming
bar manager. Roughly five years ago, Allan was approached with the
opportunity to buy the venue. Together with partner Andrew Brassard,
Oen is the current owner of the Texas Lounge and Goliaths.
36
www.gaycalgary.com
“I started out at the very
bottom
so
I
understand
what staff are going through
sometimes,” Oen says of his
humble beginnings.
Today the Texas Lounge teems
with events and fundraisers
geared toward helping many
different groups within the
community.
“I’m willing to help out any
organization that comes and
asks me,” Oen affirms. This has
included the Children’s Wish
Foundation, Beswick House
through the SHARP (Society
Housing AIDS/HIV Restricted
Persons)
Foundation,
and
this year a St. Patrick’s Day
fundraiser on March 17, hosted
by Electronica and benefitting
the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
“I’m a very big supporter of
the ISSCA, having been a past empress, as well,” Allan expounds. His
involvement with the Imperial and Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch
(ISSCA) started six or seven years ago in the role of princess for the then
Empress.
“I took a year off after that because it’s a lot of travelling. You’re going
to a lot of cities representing Calgary,” he explains. “But I decided a
couple years later to run as Empress, and ran with my real-life partner
Wolfgang.” Both were voted in, making the first Emperor and Empress
combination who were also life partners.
Together the enthroned couple toured more than their requirement of
four coronations, attending Court events and fundraisers across Canada
and the United States.
Years later Allan was also named the ISCCA Entertainer of the Year.
Currently the ISCCA sells shooters every Sunday raise funds for their
charities, and every Sunday the bar screens a movie and orders pizza for
the ISCCA to sell by the slice.
“I’m always kind of helping out in some kind of capacity,” he says,
noting that in the not so distant future he could see himself running for
Empress with Wolfgang as Emperor, again.
“Being Emperor/Empress together, I found, it brought us closer in a
lot of ways,” Allan admits. “If you can make it through being Emperor/
Empress together, on top of all the other stresses of a relationship, you
can make it through everything I think.”
Last December Allan and Wolfgang celebrated 11 years together.
“We have the same vision and the same goals. Whether we could beat
our other [fundraising] record, I don’t know. We would have to do our
best.”
In addition, Allan envisions helping to launch a LGBT retirement
centre “at some point down the road.”
“It’s so sad that some people enter the age of retirement and have to
go back into the closet, so to speak, and can’t be themselves anymore.”
Allan is consistently generating ideas of more things to do in the
community, and greatly appreciates the acknowledgement for doing so.
“I just want to thank all of the readers for thinking of me as an
influential person. It scares me a bit! But I appreciate people looking up
to me in that way. Hopefully I can live up to it.”
Terri Stevens – Drag Performer
Terri Stevens was quite surprised to hear that his nominations won
him a spot in Alberta’s top 10 LGBT figures. But as one looks back at the
30 years, and counting, of artistry and involvement he has offered the
LGBT community nationwide, there is no surprise that his nominators
set forth to acknowledge this work.
“It’s a fulltime volunteer position, that is. You really have to work hard
and try to represent the community as best as you can; both when you’re
out and about and when you’re in your own city.”
This includes shooter bars, coat checks, and drag shows for which
Allan (occasionally alongside Wolfgang) hit the stage under the spicy
pseudonym Dynamite.
“You just do the best you can, stay away from the politics and just try
to have a good time and remember why you’re doing it. …You’re doing it
for the community and doing it for good; that’s the right reason.”
Allan recalls a moment during his reign as Empress when this became
vividly clear.
“On Mothers’ Day we went to the Beswick House and planted flowers
for the people living there at the time. Seeing the people you’re actually
helping, helps you to keep it in perspective.”
Over the year Allan had met and seen many amazing people and
places, and it all culminated at the end of his reign.
“When we stepped down together it was a very emotional day… To be
there with all of your friends… my mom came to see me step down and
see what we were able to give to charities within the city.”
That afternoon the couple found out that their efforts had raised the
sum of $42,000 – a new record in the 30 years that the ISCCA has been
running.
“We had broken the record for the most to be given away,” Allan says.
Every year, ISSCA funds reach out to the community initiatives of choice
for the Emperor and Empress, which have included Beswick House AIDS
hospice, HIV support groups, the Salvation Army, Agapé hospice for
terminal illness, and the Children’s Wish Foundation.
“I had a motto: It didn’t matter whether you gave a penny, five dollars,
ten dollars, or 20, it all adds up in the long run. Whatever you can afford
to give is worthwhile.”
All costumes, wigs and travel expenses were covered by Allan and
Wolfgang personally, and for several events the Texas Lounge donated
their space.
“Anytime I ever got tipped for a performance I always gave the money
back to charity, and Wolfgang did the same… I always made sure
everything went to charity like it was supposed to.”
www.gaycalgary.com
37
Terri was Alberta-born but
raised in the Okanagan, BC. When
he was 15 he made his debut as a
drag artist on stages in Vancouver
and Victoria.
“Everyone thinks drag just
involves putting on a wig and
singing a song,” he says. “I’ve had
lots of fun times in the past 30
years, but I think it’s more about
the involvement with the people in
the crowds, interaction with the
audiences, making them forget
their own issues or drama for that
brief period of time you’re on the
stage, or whatever the case may
be.”
Stevens cites himself a triple
threat: he can sing, he can dance,
and he can do his own makeup,
hair and make his own costumes.
The artista sat amid 20 metres of
black chiffon during our interview,
of which he was intending to craft his next costume.
Terri dismays at the existing stereotypes surrounding drag artists.
“It’s not easy being a queen,” he croons. “There’s a big difference between
mentorship and dictatorship.”
Terri encourages crowd-focus and a drug-free zone. “Drugs equal
drama,” he warns. “No drugs, no drama.”
Stevens notes that one of the fundamentals toward professionalism
on stage is to put the audience’s experience above the current goings on
in your own personal sphere.
“[Drag is about] the fulfillment of knowing that you entertained
someone, knowing that you’re making someone laugh, making someone
cry; the fact that people will go oh my god that was fabulous!”
In addition to performing Canada-wide, Terri has supported PWA
(People With Aids) and the Imperial Court of Canada in every city he has
lived in, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Niagra
Falls.
“I’ve done everything,” he says. “If somebody asks, you show up, and
you donate your tips back… It’s good to do your pro bono work.”
Terri’s performances have generated funds for groups such as AIDS
Calgary, and toward cancer awareness.
“Like many others before me, I’m just one more stepping stone helping
to pave the way for future drag artists.”
Over the last two years Terri has been working at the Twisted Element
and hosting the Twisted Burlesque Follies every Sunday at 11:30pm.
“Get a bunch of people together and see the show,” he advises. Terri
says his particular forte is celebrity impersonation.
“When I do Cher I look like Cher; and it freaks people out,” he says
of his favourite star to manifest. Reba McIntyre is also on his bill, and
occasionally the artist will hammer out a mean impression of stars such
as Dame Edna or Joan Rivers, the diva that inadvertently launched his
performance career.
“I put on a dress one day and someone said I looked like Joan Rivers,
so I did it.”
His performance skills took him to Toronto, where he worked with
drag troupes La Cage (one of the longest standing dinner theatre drag
shows in Canada) and the Great Imposters, but eventually a yearning to
come home drew him back to Calgary.
38
Now Terri runs a “small, little arm of the Great Imposters and another
group called Ladies of La Cage, available for private shows and corporate
functions,” he touts.
This month and next Terri and his troupe will tour to Saskatchewan
for performances.
“Wherever the agent books me, that’s where I go.”
Terri’s nominees extol his unsung praise for decades of benefit shows,
Canada Imperial Court performances for charity, and other fundraising
revues.
“Thank you for the nominations, it was highly unexpected,” he says.
“It just goes to show that if you change things in your life, your life
changes for you.”
Brendan Van Alstine –
Politician and Activist
A
born
and
raised
Edmontonian, Brendan Van
Alstine has been active in
the LGBT community for a
near decade. Brendan began
volunteering at the Pride Centre
of Edmonton in 2003, taking a
position there in 2006, before
being hired on as a mental
health worker in inner city
Edmonton.
In his spare time - which
surprisingly he can find Brendan both volunteers and
runs for political office. Van
Alstine has helped out at the
Queer Youth Camp-Out, open to
all LGBTQ and allied youth aged
14 to 25. This event started
over a weekend in the summer
of 2008 and, with rave reviews
from participatory campers, continues to take place annually. The
summer weekend at an allied campground south of Edmonton features
swimming, crafts, games, sexuality workshops, sports and a talent night.
In addition, Brendan has been a helpful hand for numerous years
with the Queer Allied Network, a group supporting action for LGBT
equality in Alberta, and Youth Understanding Youth, a group providing
a safe and supportive place for youth to gather, contribute and express
what’s on their mind.
“The best way to promote a positive environment is to make sure
everyone is treated equally with dignity and respect,” Van Alstine states.
In 2007 Brendan helped found the Transit Riders’ Union of Edmonton,
an independent, autonomous group that lobbies for better transit in
the municipality. Projects are ongoing, and call on all transit takers to
participate.
Brendan has also played an active role in the revitalization efforts
of the Alberta Ave/118th Ave neighbourhood where he resides. This
includes volunteering at the Carrot Community Arts Coffee House as well
as various festivals that take place on the avenue, including Kaleido, a
community arts festival, and the Deep Freeze Byzantine Winter Festival,
which “ushers in the Olde New Year in style” with outdoor sports, indoor
fare, music and art.
Brendan says though this nomination was not something he was
expecting (having already won in 2009’s reader survey), “it’s a nice
feeling that people recognize the work I’ve done.”
Most recently, Van Alstine ran for Edmonton City Council in Ward 7,
placing third out of five candidates, and is planning to run again in the
2013 election.
www.gaycalgary.com
“Wiser use of police resources must be part of the equation for making
our neighbourhoods safer,” Brendan blogged in the week leading to last
October’s municipal vote. “Some of the simplest solutions are often the
best: refreshing infrastructure to make our streets more walkable and
encouraging a vibrant local business community.”
This forward-thinking attitude is exactly what inspired his nomination.
Supporters of this budding politician praise Brendan for his work toward
establishing a community that is safe and welcoming to youth and
new residents, and encourages healthy, environmentally-friendly and
sustainable, rewarding activities that take place outside of the bar scene.
Brendan has marked himself as a community leader who thinks
outside the box and spreads optimism and mindfulness in all of his
undertakings.
“It’s not too late to make the world a better place,“ he says. “…one
person can change the world.”
Mike Gray – Owner of Club
Sapien
“Oh I’m flattered! What
an honour. What do you say
to that? That’s the greatest
compliment you can get paid,”
says the humble Mike Gray
upon hearing of his nomination.
A native Calgarian, born and
raised, Mike is the co-owner
of Club Sapien despite having
never thought he would own any
venture of this sort.
“Any charity that has a gay-focus, or that someone in the community
is passionate about, we’re happy to provide the space,” Mike says. In the
past this has included the SHARP Foundation, the Kid’s Help Phone,
Apollo and AIDS Calgary.
Come to the Club with a plan and, Mike says, “we’re certainly going
to support it.”
Sapien is also sponsoring the Apollo Western Cup, approaching this
Easter long weekend.
“We’re doing our best to provide [Apollo] somewhat of a home base
while they are here, somewhere to celebrate the victories and to console
themselves in defeats over the sporting events coming up.”
Furthermore, the staff at Sapien have put together a dodge ball team
to compete this year. “I don’t know who’s going to work,” Mike kids. “We
may have to draw straws.”
“Mainly we’re just looking to make sure that when all the guests are
coming from across the country to play in the Western Cup, that they
walk away with a great feeling of what Calgary has to offer.”
Mike lives under the adage, “It is our community and it’s up to us to
make it work.” He goes on to say, ”The more people that get out and get
involved, the better the community will be.”
Information about upcoming events and nights at Sapien can be
found on Facebook or the Sapien website in the Extras section. This
area of their site also features tips from their staff on how to handle your
first club experience, or advice on how to remedy unpleasant ones.
“There are lots of great events and venues even if you’re not involved
in the bar scene,” Mike says. “Give it a try. Get out in your community.
Get out and get involved.”
“Strangely enough I have a
Bachelor of Commerce with a
specialty in Entrepreneurship,
but I had no intention at the
time to open my own business,”
Mike explains. “I thought that
was the most ridiculous idea
ever. Who knew?”
Instead,
the
studied
entrepreneur went from his undergrad days at the University of Victoria
back home to a career at Famous Players, which he loved.
“That’s where some inspiration came from,” he says of the years he
spent watching and helping people that were going out to have a genuine
good, fun time.
In July 29, 2010, Mike opened Club Sapien, a place for the LGBT
community and their allied friends to do just that: to go out and have a
genuine good time.
“I always loved the entertainment industry,” Mike says. “Club Sapien
was just sort of that ultimate in providing that kind of fun in our
community. It was a great opportunity.”
With his business partner, Mike looked at the social opportunities
available to Calgary’s straight counterpart, and tried to establish what
was missing in the LGBT community.
“They aren’t sort of pigeon-holed into one type of bar, or one type of
feel that they’re limited to,” he explains. “After work you want to go out
to a place where you feel safe and comfortable. That’s how we modeled
Sapien.”
Mike endeavored to create a place that functions as a gay environment,
in a relaxed space where one feels at ease bringing anyone with them.
“Not a place where you have to warn friends before you take them
in,” Mike says. “Somewhere you can go to and feel community, and feel
proud of who we are in our everyday lives.”
However, Club Sapien aims to veer away from the ‘traditional’ gay
establishment and give the community more evenings to chill.
“We didn’t think there was that opportunity for everyone,” Mike says.
“Twenty year s ago there wasn’t really mingling between the gay and
straight culture. Now there is, hopefully, somewhere they can see us on
our home turf and feel comfortable.”
Club Sapien is an upscale pub, offering good value food somewhere
contentedly between greasy grub and steak and lobster - and a venue
for fundraising.
www.gaycalgary.com
39
Trans Identity
The Quest to Pee III
By Mercedes Allen
On February 9th, 2011, Bill C-389, An Act to Amend the
Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code (gender
identity and gender expression), passed third reading in
Parliament, and moved on to the Senate, where it faces
even more daunting challenges.
If you heard anything about the bill at all in the mainstream
media, it was either from Charles McVety raising fears that
legal protections for trans people would result in trans
women using the ladies’ restroom and being a threat to his
daughter (a claim which would go almost unchallenged),
or the occasional maverick editorial supporting trans
rights, but without any trans perspectives at all on what
human rights inclusion would mean for them. This was
not for lack of people willing to speak publicly on the issue,
since a network of trans activists across the country had
approached the major media outlets indicating a willingness
to speak.
Potty fear has been a tactic from the far right that started
being used in earnest in the US around 2008 to oppose
any form of human rights inclusion for trans people, and
also used to oppose any gains made by the lesbian and
gay community at large – sometimes even if trans people
weren’t included in the legislation at all. And of course, it
was a ruse. In almost all cases, it had always been legal
for transsexual women to use the ladies restroom, and in
all cases, this had happened for decades without incident.
Despite being a fallacy, the religious right found the
potty meme to be a quick, exploitive way to win support
through fear. But in the long run, the washroom argument
almost never succeeded. Even in the national discussion
in Canada, where the media allowed McVety to turn a bill
which said absolutely nothing about -- nor changed what is
legal in -- washrooms into “the bathroom bill,” C-389 still
passed, albeit narrowly.
In 2008, right-wing groups responded to a proposed rights
bill in Montgomery County, Maryland by characterizing it
as “the bathroom bill.” The groups that had pioneered the
modern use of potty panic realized that the evidence was
against them, so they staged a fake locker room invasion in
a Gaithersburg, Maryland health club. [1] Of course, they
took it upon themselves to embellish a little by having the
invader do tough drag, something certain to play on the
“ick” factor of people everywhere and ensure that everyone
saw the invader as a man in a dress:
40
Around 1 p.m. Monday, a man wearing a dress walked into
the women’s locker room surprising Mary Ann Ondray who
was drying her hair. “I could see his muscles, I could see his
large hands. He was wearing a blue ruffled skirt that came
down to above the knee.”
The ploy was so obvious that the public expected that the
event was faked, and Citizens for a Responsible Government
spokesperson Theresa Rickman eventually admitted it
during an interview by an allied organization. [2] Rickman
had even been in the lobby of the gym when the incident took
place, in order to direct media. Even though the only thing
exposed was CRG’s intent to deceive, Focus on the Family,
Family Research Council and other anti-gay organizations
have still used the “Maryland spa” incident on occasion over
the years since, as evidence of wrongdoings that will ensue
if we extend human rights to trans people – it’s the only
thing they can find to point to. In the US, the ratio of transinclusive ordinances to actual problems is 130+ [3] (dating
as far back as 1975) to 0.
The far right continues to use the potty meme because it
gains some quick support, and as long as they can divert
people from examining further, it seems to them to be lasting
support. It was somewhat successful in Canada during
the public discussion, because left and center –leaning
people didn’t bother to challenge it, and so it was allowed to
dominate the conversation. And yet it only works because
the media allows folks like McVety (or even encourages
them, since sensationalism sells, and it becomes lucrative
to provide the platform) to conflate all trans people with a
Jerry Springer-style image of rough drag, conflate all trans
people (male-identified or female-identified) with men, and
conflate all men with sexual predators.
Sometimes, when called on the ruse, opponents of trans
rights will say, “I’m not saying trans people are molesters,
but someone might pretend to be trans in order to access
a washroom.” Beyond the obvious problem with opposing
human rights for an entire group of people in order to avert
theoretical occurrences not related to them, this argument
also assumes that a washroom predator would be more
likely to risk attracting attention to themselves throughout
their travels in public by crossdressing, in order to access a
washroom they’d have better luck accessing by slipping in
when no one is looking.
In the US south, decades earlier, there was reluctance
to desegregate washrooms because of “delicate sensibilities”
and beliefs in the inferiority and impurity of entire groups of
people. In the advent of HIV, there were ignorant comments
www.gaycalgary.com
about gay men in washrooms, borne by fears (that had not
yet been dispelled by science) that AIDS could be contracted
from a toilet seat. And every time, there was hysteria. Every
time, it was unfounded. Every time, our society ultimately
moved toward progress, inclusion and accommodation,
anyway. And every time, we looked back and realized that
the potty panic was just plain offensive.
Of course, the religious right’s concern never really was
about washrooms. While Bill C-389 began its slow trek to
passage in Canada, the city of Missoula, Montana passed
an ordinance that extended human rights to LGBT people.
Opponents emulated the CRG use of potty fear by creating
notmybathroom.com (modeled after CRG’s notmyshower.
com) and painting that ordinance as “the bathroom bill.”
The ploy failed to work, and the ordinance was passed (and
potty chaos failed to ensue). So last month, opponents
dropped all pretences of concerns for propriety when they
lobbied the Montana Legislature to put forward a bill that
would prevent communities from passing human rights
ordinances that differed from the State’s law – thus erasing
LGBT protections in Missoula. Now, of course, the issue is
masked as “reigning in rogue government” and “maintaining
intergovernmental consistency.” We, however, recognize it
as the blatant will to discriminate.
One of the Conservative government’s stated reasons for
opposing Bill C-389 was that it was “unnecessary.”
But it is necessary. It’s necessary exactly because this
irrational fear persists. It’s necessary exactly because
trans people still get conflated with sex predators and child
predators, or labeled as “sick,” “perverse,” and “freaks.” It’s
necessary exactly because people become so clouded with
assumptions and myths that they argue for our deliberate
exclusion from human rights under the pretext that granting
them would be “dangerous” or “scary.” It’s necessary exactly
because this bias is so entrenched that people think nothing
about broadcasting it openly as though fact. It’s necessary
exactly because it is so pervasive that discrimination
becomes not only likely but inevitable.
Because Bill C-389 is a human rights bill. Inclusion in
the hate crimes clauses of the Criminal Code of Canada
means that violence against trans people cannot be simply
dismissed in the courts as inconsequential or the victim’s
just deserts, and hate crimes data can start to be collected.
Inclusion in the Canada Human Rights Act calls for equal
treatment in terms of employment, housing and access to
services. While the Canada Human Rights Act only governs
those things governed federally, it bolsters the case for
human rights inclusion through the various provinces, and
pushes for them to write inclusion in.
Bill C-389 is a human rights bill. Affirmation in the form
of C-389 is necessary exactly because the use of irrational
assumptions to hijack human rights for trans people
persists.
TransRights.ca has a sample letter and contact info so
that you can contact Senators to voice your support for Bill
C-389, and to stress the importance of it proceeding through
the Senate in a timely manner. At the time of writing, it is
still a bill without a sponsor in the Senate.
References:
1)www.gaycalgary.com/u205
www.gaycalgary.com
41
Community
Coming Out Monologues
Queer students share their experiences
By Carey Rutherford
Lacey Mullett is the Programming Assistant for the
QCentre’s Coming Out Monologues and she is quite
happy with the growth that she has seen with the event
since last year’s origins.
“It’ll be two acts, with eight different 2-5 minute
monologues in each act, and at some point in the evening
there will be a drag show of some kind,” she explains. “And
it’s two nights, now, instead of one. We’ll also use it as a
form for the U of C’s It Gets Better videos, which we filmed
in the fall.”
During the event, there will be monologues presented
by those who’ve personally hurdled and overcome the
experience, while some are presenting others’ life moments.
But the stories are all taken from real-life ruminations;
people making the steps to accept their gender and sexual
orientation wholly into their identity.
“It was actually the University of California at Riverside
that started the (Coming Out Monologues) projects, and they
collected a bunch of student stories and monologues, and
it snowballed from there. I believe Texas A&M does them as
well, and we got some scripts from there.”
The program guide of the original Coming Out Monologues,
April 2007, stated, “What you will be seeing tonight is the
first in what we hope will become a UCR tradition. Inspired
by Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, UCR’s The Coming
Out Monologues is a community-based theatre project
celebrating the diversity of experience and identity as
a culmination to the Day of Silence. … The Coming Out
Monologues would represent the act of breaking the silence
after sundown.”
Lacey notes: “They’re original scripts submitted by the
students that had that experience. They (UCR) post them on
the website for other universities to borrow and have other
people perform them.
“Last year one of the staff members of the Office of Student
Experience learned about (the UC Riverside project) and
decided that we should put something like that on. It turned
out really well, so we’re taking it on for a second year.”
Due to scheduling issues with the theatre on the U of
C campus, Calgary’s Coming Out Monologues won’t be so
closely aligned with the ending of The Day of Silence or
Calgary’s Pride Week activities, but that won’t diminish the
impact of the evening and it’s emotions.
It can be described as a live version of the It Gets Better
series of videos, which also has a local contribution as
mentioned prior: “The U of C decided to bring together a
bunch of the queer community from the University and
make some videos and post them to the website, as well as
our own YouTube channel, just to show that the U of C is
part of the fight, if you will.”
“The fun thing about the Monologues is they’re so diverse:
some are about (the coming out) trauma being a really
horrible experience, while others are, I came out to my Mom,
and she didn’t seem surprised, and I was sort of disappointed.
Show me some emotion please, Mom! And there’s one about
coming out kink. …It’s good to open people’s minds about
all of the things that people struggle with coming out, and
that includes coming out straight.”
And afterwards?
“We donate the money to Calgary Outlink, which is one of
many LGBTQ identified organizations in the city. They hold
groups and social groups for people across the spectrum.
It’s a safe space for queer-identified individuals throughout
42
the community, and currently our biggest group is our
youth group, so it really identifies well with the University
demographic.”
Not every one of us has a vagina, but many of us have a
coming out experience that we can identify with. That’s why
the Coming Out Monologues promises to be an evening that
everyone can enjoy.
The Coming Out Monologues
Thu Mar 17, 7:30pm
Fri Mar 18, 7:30pm
Boris Roubakine Theatre (University of Calgary, Craigie Hall B)
Tickets: $10; purchase at U of C Ticket Centre, or at door.
Letters to the Editor
Dear GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine,
I cannot tell you how excited I am as a transgendered
person that the Opposition parties got together and voted to
enshrine “transgender” (in a House of Commons vote) as a
separate, protected rights category in the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms. Hopefully Stephen Harper’s Senate will see the light
and also pass this valuable legislation.
Graciously,
Walter Dean Blake
Dear GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine,
JASPER PRIDE - what an incredible weekend! Kudos to all
those who made this weekend such a terrific success! I would
like to say “thank you” to the sponsors: Mountain Park Lodges,
Marmot Basin, Barefoot Wines, GayCalgary & Edmonton
Magazine, and so many more. Thank you to the volunteers...
too many to list and you know who you are! And thank you to
all who attended -well over a hundred and thirty I’m told. With
absolutely awesome snow conditions and fabulous Alberta
sunshine, it made for one crazy weekend party. Great events,
great people! Jasper showed once again how welcome our
community is, and I can hardly wait until Pride 2012!
Dr John E Gentles
www.gaycalgary.com
www.gaycalgary.com
43
44
www.gaycalgary.com
Interview
Jeff Martin
Tea Party singer returns with new album and band
By Jason Clevett
It’s bitterly cold in Calgary, and Jeff Martin is a long
way away from his current home in Perth, Australia.
Comforted by a blazing fire and a Caesar in a downtown
hotel restaurant, he brims with excitement in discussing
his new band Jeff Martin 777 and their new album The
Ground Cries Out.
In town on a cross-Canada media tour before band-mates Malcolm
Clark (drums) and Jay Cortex (bass/keyboards/everything else) join him
for a concert tour, Martin opened up about the new band, his former
band the Tea Party, and more.
“They are amazing musicians, very respected in Australia. I met
Malcolm ten years ago backstage at a Tea Party concert. He was always
a big fan and we became friends. I met Jay a little bit after the break
up of the Tea Party. It is one of those things that was destined to come
together, it was just a matter of time. It is a real joy because it is a
confidence and familiarity that I haven’t felt since The Tea Party. We
made this new record over the course of six months. There were a lot
of breaks because we each had commitments but, we put [the album
together in] an incredible studio in Perth and this is the result. It was a
labour of love, I took my time doing it and making sure that I created a
sound for this new band and brought their personalities to the forefront.
I am very proud to show off the new band in Canada. If I was going to
come back here with a power trio it better be a damn good power trio!”
Martin returns to Calgary for the first time in three years. His previous
visits have been solo shows, as well as a show immediately after the Tea
Party breakup which featured a five-piece band in support of his album
Exile In The Kingdom. Exile was a notably different sound from Martin’s
Tea Party songs. The Ground Cries Out sees him return to an evolved
version of the style he first gained fame for on early albums Splendor
Solis and The Edges of Twilight.
“I have a lot of pride in being an artist. If I am going to put a new
recording out I have to feel that it is better than what I have done in the
past, that I am moving forward. I feel that way with this record. I am
very proud of what I have achieve in the past with those big musical
statements like Sister Awake and Temptation and all that - it is iconic,
its lovely. I feel these 11 songs on this record stand up to anything I
have done in the past. With Exile I tried a five piece band and I felt more
constricted, it was almost suffocating. There are too many walls. In a
three-piece, especially if the musicianship is up there every song will
have its signpost, but how we get there, who knows. When you see the
band play, the next night is totally different with a lot of jamming going
on. That is what I found so appealing once again.”
The music Martin has created, both with The Tea Party and on his
own, is incredibly versatile. Having been blended with full orchestras to
being stripped down to a guitar and solo voice, the music resonates no
matter what the form.
“As a producer and composer I can make the grand sonic landscapes
but the true test of a great song is that you can take all those beautiful
colours and textures away and bring it down to a voice and acoustic
guitar. If you can, it is still a great song. That is in the back of my mind.
When I produce a song like The Ground Cries Out or The Cobra, I am
going big, but am I going too big? Am I still able to bring it down to that
and get the same intention across with simplicity? That is one thing I
am still learning as a producer. I feel that I am getting wiser at doing it.”
The tour brings Jeff Martin 777 to Alberta for three shows – The
Republik Nightclub on March 10th in Calgary, Airdrie’s Bert Church
Theatre on March 11th and Festival Place in Sherwood Park, March
12th. Having played arenas and massive festivals, Martin is excited to
bring the band to smaller venues and be up close and personal.
“There is a very distinct possibility that this band could get to the
level the Tea Party was at, but I don’t want to get there to soon. I haven’t
had a chance with a three-piece to play intimate venues like this for
such a long time I remember how good it was to do it. I want to give
to the fans that intimacy before it gets out of hand. Even with the Tea
Party, I believe we had the ability. Even though we would get a few
thousand people, we made it feel intimate somehow, some way. This is
very special to be able to come back to Canada and tour this and it is an
introduction for Canadian fans to Malcolm and Jay, and I want them to
be close and really understand the musicianship of what is going on. I
just want to make it grow organically. I would like to see this band come
back to Canada another two times over the next two years. We have a
www.gaycalgary.com
 Photo by Kate Nutt
lot of commitments and enthusiastic interest in Europe and Australia so
there is a lot of touring to do. This record has legs - there are so many
great songs on this record that we have the fortunate [dilemma] of what
single do you choose? My goal for this record and band is for people to
experience the same amount of joy and happiness out of it that we did
making it. If that can be accomplished, I am a happy camper. ”
Martin has long possessed an intense connection with fans. He often
leads the audience in singing songs like Save Me. It is demonstrated by
the look of bliss that crosses his face as his lyrics are sung back to him
by the audience.
“It is a connection, symbiosis, the chord. When I first started off there
were all these accusations about being like Jim Morrison. If you think
about The Doors, Morrison couldn’t have been more detached from an
audience - he didn’t care really and tried to piss them off. When I was
a young man I was very insecure and quiet and people mistook that for
arrogance. Fair enough. As you get more confidence and the insecurities
slip away I realized that there is this beautiful connection, people are
here for a reason and want to be a part of it. I started letting people in
and the more I did that, the more rewarding the whole existence of being
a performer onstage became. It is to the point now if I don’t get that
connection it is disappointing. It seldom ever happens that way. It is the
most important thing for me.”
Tea Party fans can expect songs from that extensive catalog, included
in the set as well.
“The Tea Party - those songs are my life. It can’t be ignored, the music
is beautiful. I look back at it as a fan. All of those things that I put myself
through and where I went to make that music, I would be disrespecting
myself if I didn’t play that music still. It is not going to sound the same.
It is a fresh, different approach because it is different personalities
interpreting, but the song remains the same.”
Another long-standing tradition for Martin is that of including covers
in the live show. While Daniel Lanois’ The Messenger and The Rolling
Stones Paint It Black were recorded, songs like Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt,
U2’s One, and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah are just a few of the songs
that have popped up.
“First and foremost its fun - rock n’ roll has to be fun. That would
be the cornerstone now of what I am getting out of things. Also it gives
people an insight into my psyche and where my inspiration comes from.
On this tour, the band does a wicked version of Love Will Tear Us Apart.
Joy Division and Ian Curtis was a massive influence on me when I was
13 years old. He made me want to write lyrics and explore the dark side
of the psyche. That will be a song that is heard once in awhile. There are
a few up my sleeve that you haven’t heard yet.”
There seems to be a strong connection between Australia and Canada,
and many of their artists find success in the opposite country. Martin
shared his thoughts on why that is.
“I think it is a case of a pride in identity. Canadians get a lot of flack
for being in the shadow of Americans but, if you are actually here, there
is a national pride and a vibrant music scene. It isn’t as cookie cutter
here. There are the dangers of the Idol shows but that is the pop world,
I don’t think of that as music. That is about fame, living the dream and
all that stuff.”
“The Arcade Fire winning the Grammy for Album of the Year? How
cool is that?! That gives someone hope about the music industry that
Continued 
45
 From Previous Page
they would recognize such a
talented bad. That is so far
removed from your Jay-Z’s,
Eminem, Lady Gaga. I don’t
want to hear that stuff anymore
I want to hear something with
substance.
The
Australian
music culture is the same,
they have a lot of pride and
back their own. Because there
are such similarities (between
Australia and Canada), they
mirror each other and in many
ways have such a correlation
and love going to each other’s
countries. The Tea Party was
the first Canadian rock band to
really be embraced in Australia
and opened a lot of doors for
other Canadian bands. I was
hanging out with The Trews in
Perth on my birthday and they
were treated so well. Canadian
bands don’t want to leave when
they go over there because it
is paradise. The women are
beautiful, the animals will kill
you.”
His
former
bandmate,
drummer Jeff Burrows (now
a member of Crash Karma)
announced
that
his
son
Nicholas and his band The
Indecent had signed a record
deal.
“I knew Jeff’s boys well, and Jeff was such a positive influence on
them but never pushed them. They came to all the concerts and lived
and breathed it, watching their Dad who is one of the greatest drummers
in Canadian rock. I think it was more of a natural thing for Jeff’s kids
to go into it. With my son Jango unfortunately the nature of my life and
continuing to tour and record it is very much a gypsy life so I don’t see
him as much as I would want to. He is very proud of me and thinks the
world of his Dad as a rockstar but, it isn’t something he has lived and
breathed like Jeff’s kids. I will encourage him if he has the interest, he
has the genes for it. It is really up to him. He is still very young, he is six
and I started playing guitar when I was seven or eight. Jango is following
all the same trends and interests I had, like a fascination with electric
trains and Speedracer. When I was seven my uncle showed me my first
guitar chords and I took it from there - that was it for me. Maybe that will
happen with him, maybe not.”
If Martin’s music is diverse, so are his fans. The crowd at Tea Party
concerts included a wide assortment of ages, races, and sexualities.
Martin is proud of how much his music has appealed to so many people.
“It is a testament to the music and the audience. The attraction would
always be that The Tea Party’s music, my music, the new band’s music,
what lies underneath it all is integrity. It means something. It is sexy
music and gays, lesbians, teens, 40 year-olds - there is a certain mindset
that transcends that. People like sexy music. If you want to think about
it with the chakras, when you think early Stones, Led Zepplin, you could
feel the sexual chakra in the music. I have to hear that in what I am
doing and if I don’t hear that, I am not putting it on the record.”
Jeff Martin 777
The Ground Cries Out now available.
www.Jeffmartin777.com
 Editorial - From Page 6
Judging by the lack of comment from the community at large,
I don’t think very many people actually noticed – which is good,
because it means we succeeded in smoothing over this bump in
the road for our readers and advertisers. But I volunteer this
information here anyway, to make sure it is known we weren’t
aiming to sweep it under the carpet for the sake of maintaining
a front of perfection.
In our 7 years dealing with our printers, we have been very
happy with the job that they do. We can easily forgive a rare
hiccough like this when they are willing to work with us to
correct the problem, to the satisfaction of our own customers.
Mistakes happen, both here and down the line, and we just
have to deal with them. We do so out in the open, for the sake
of remaining transparent to our readers and advertisers.
So in the end, despite having to deal with some unexpected
adversity we got our February edition out in good time and with
no apparent ill effect. Mistakes will always happen, but it’s the
manner of responsibility in how we mitigate them that truly
matters.
Drag Time
For this column last month, at risk of sounding harsh, I
wrote about the tedium of “Drag Time” and its erosive effect on
the success and enjoyment of the community in social venues.
If this resonated with you, you are definitely not alone. In our
travels, numerous people commended us for addressing this
issue. We’ve already seen some event organizers take it to heart
and push to start things on time. It doesn’t always happen, but
the effort is appreciated.
February 2011
It doesn’t feel to me like a lot happened in the way of events
last month, and yet I’m told we have quite a number of photos
to publish.
One event that does stick out in my mind was Straight to
Diva, deigned to be the final edition of the annual fundraising
tradition. The two straight participants, who I mentioned last
month to be Stepfather and Stepson, were joined by a contender
from within the LGBT community (Straight-acting to Diva in his
case). The competitors performed to a busy bar, to the disbelief
of their wives, husband, and friends. In the end, the Stepfather
won out, and the final fundraising total was just shy of $3000,
with possible additions still pending. This went to Calgary’s
HIV Peer Support group, and AIDS Calgary’s HEAT program.
The SHARP Foundation also celebrated a milestone last
month – their 20th anniversary! The SHARP Foundation, which
operates a number of local AIDS hospices, continues to be at the
forefront of what they do. To mark this great achievement, they
hosted an appreciation party for those who have contributed
their time and effort to help their organization. They also took
this opportunity to launch a snazzy new logo.
For those who miss the absence of the Calgary Networking
Club, Club Sapien arranged a get-together for LGBT
professionals last month with the hopes that someone among
them will step forward to continue organizing future events
independently. It had a fantastic turnout despite the nasty cold
and icy roads, and was a great opportunity to meet and mingle
with other business professionals. If this interests you, keep an
eye out for future events.
Lastly, congratulations to Woodys, who celebrates their 9th
anniversary this coming month.
On Tour
March 10 – Republik – Calgary
March 11 – Bert Church Theatre – Airdrie
March 12 – Festival Place – Sherwood Park
46
www.gaycalgary.com
Advice
Queeries
By Steven Petrow
Q: I need a bit of advice on my sex life. I’m 24 and my main
goal at the moment is to have fun and sleep around. I’m not bad
looking but I’m no model. Here’s the problem: Ever since I came
out eight years ago, I feel like an oddball on the scene as I don’t
know how to approach guys with the intention of it leading to sex.
My friends say I look very sweet and innocent and they think it
can put guys off. I am on Gaydar and other sex websites that are
only about hooking up, but I struggle about what to write and
most of the messages I send go unanswered, or worse, I get a “no.”
I’d really like to hear what you’ve got to say.
A: Man, I really feel for you, especially since you’re reminding me
of what dating and hookups were like for me when I first started
playing around. Before I give you any advice, let me just say two
things. First off, it’s great that you know what you’re looking for –
in this case, sex. Less risk of wasting other people’s time, let alone
your own. Second, if some guys aren’t turned on to you because
you’re “sweet and innocent,” believe me they are going to be many
more who just love those qualities in you.
To get to the nitty gritty, I think there are some other things
you’re likely overlooking. Hooking up online is all about first
impressions and that’s why you need to pay such close attention
to your screen name, profile, and photos that you post (and you
must post pix). When it comes to a screen name, be explicit:
BangUBud, SexyStoner, and Jeff11X7 put it on the line. For you,
I might suggest: NastynNice – or some other handle that suggests
there’s more to you than meets the eye. Then, you also need
to be clear in your profile about what you want. Here are some
highly specific ones I found online: “I’m most attracted to younger,
masculine bottoms.” “Definitely not a vanilla type of guy” or “Poz
seeks same.”
One of the great advantages of hooking up online is the ability
to put out there what you want – and, often, get it.
Next: Your photos. Sometimes I visit sex pickup sites and I see a
handsome guy but he looks like he just came from work. You need
to show some skin! Or he’s a perfect ectomorph and has unwisely
chosen BigMuscle.com as his hookup site. Choose a site that’s
going to work for who you are and who you’re seeking. Last point:
You need to be explicit in your photos although it’s your choice
whether that extends to full-frontal nudity; remember what you
put up online stays online – potentially forever.
Finally: Bear in mind that many – if not most – guys don’t get
responses back. Don’t take it to heart; it’s simply the way of the
Internet.
Before you sit down and talk with them, I suggest doing some
research into your grandparents’ likely beliefs on this subject
so that you can be prepared. Certainly, not all religious folk
are homophobic, especially when it comes to a family member.
But if that’s what you’re facing, take aim against that muchquoted Leviticus argument against homosexuality: “Thou shalt
not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination,”
which is frequently translated by Christian fundamentalists to:
“Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous
sin.” A good reply to this argument is to point out that Leviticus
also says that shaving and eating pork are abominations – and
supports the idea of owning slaves.
Whichever way the discussion goes, I would definitely be
careful to avoid getting into an argument. Fights generally
produce more fire than light. Do your best to remain patient
and respectful, speak from your heart, and be prepared to
walk away if necessary. And definitely don’t expect to actually
change your grandparents’ views on bisexuality - at least not
right away.
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]
“Grandma, I’m bi”
Q: I’m a bi woman, and my current boyfriend knows it –
and it’s not a big deal to him. My grandparents however, don’t
know yet and I want to tell them. They’re very loving but deeply
religious. However, they deserve to know the truth since they
took ten years raising me when they didn’t have to. How do I
tell them that I like men and women equally without worrying
about how they’ll react to the news?
A: I think it’s great that you want to share your truth with
your grandparents (even though being in a relationship with
an opposite-sex partner means you’re don’t have to) and that
you’re so considerate of their feelings. Most of the time, respect
begets respect (if not acceptance). Of course, coming out to
one’s family as bi – or gay or transgender for that matter – is
often a big step and telling your religious relatives could put
your knickers in a twist (it would make me want to reach for
an Ativan.)
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Oh Boy!
’80s pop icon on getting clean, having a kid and why he’s an “alien”
By Chris Azzopardi
A lot has been written about Boy George in the last 10 years, but not much of it’s
pointed to what made the icon a pop phenomenon. Drugs, jail and an escort runin are what kept the not-so-boyish star in the headlines, completely overshadowing
his influence on music. That’s changing, however, with his first album in a decade,
Ordinary Alien, and an upcoming Culture Club reunion in 2012.
But the 49-year-old doesn’t ignore his past, and in our interview he chatted about having an “underlying
desire to be sane,” how the LGBT community is to blame for its image and why he won’t be the next gay
celebrity to adopt a baby.
GC&E: How are you, Boy George?
BG: Lovely, thank you.
GC&E: Does the title Ordinary Alien have anything to do with being gay?
BG: Maybe. It’s based on the fact that there’s so much written about me that’s either untrue, partly untrue
or not quite true. (Laughs) In a way, what I’m saying is I know that I’m odd – and yet there’s a part of me that’s
kind of quite ordinary. It’s important to have both. When it comes to practical things in life, being a bit ordinary
is very useful.
GC&E: Otherwise, you’re an alien?
BG: I’m definitely the alien. But I’m the kind of alien you can bring home to meet your mother.
GC&E: Gay men everywhere are taking note right now.
BG: Are aliens popular in the gay community? (Laughs)
GC&E: How does it feel knowing you paved the way for other queer performers?
BG: Everything is part of a kind of “daisy chain.” When I was growing up, there were a lot of characters on
TV who were obviously gay and camp and playing with the boundaries, and I think all of those people shaped
who I am. So, I think everything comes from somewhere.
Even though David Bowie wasn’t necessarily gay, I think that he had a huge influence on me as a kid. When
you’re a kid you don’t really have many reference points. There are more now, but not back then in the ’70s
when I came out to my family. I was 15, so the process of coming out to the people that I love started a long
time before it became something I had to do publicly, and people still have very wrong ideas of what it is to be
a gay man or a gay woman.
GC&E: How so?
BG: People just think of you as a sexual being; they don’t realize that you have pets and bills and jobs and
families. They just don’t understand that. And I think we as gay people don’t really do much to help ourselves
in that department. If you look at any gay magazine, it’s all nipple rings and butts. So I think people don’t
understand; they just look at everything you do as a kind of sexual thing and they don’t see beyond that, and
that’s a shame.
GC&E: Why do you think we’re looked at as sexual deviants?
www.gaycalgary.com
51
BG: For a lot of us, the first time we have any sense of who we are
is when we have sex with another man or another woman. That’s when
we’re defined, and so it’s no wonder that there’s a kind of strong physical
element tied to gay culture.
It’s sad in a way, because even if you’re a straight kid and you don’t
have demonstrative parents and you don’t have a good family life, at
least you have lots of social references. So you have an idea of how things
work. But when you’re gay, who tells you? There’s this attitude that if
you talk about it you encourage it, so even if a parent knows their kid is
gay they just don’t really talk about it; they just hope it goes away, and
of course it rarely does.
GC&E: You’re a living example that it doesn’t just go away.
BG: Absolutely! But you know, I’m very lucky. I’ve always had the
support of my family. My dad is dead now, but my dad was amazing when
I came out. I was really surprised by his reaction. I thought I was going
to be killed, and my dad was great. So families can be so surprising, and
people can be equally ignorant but they can be also amazing.
GC&E: You were pushing all sorts of boundaries with style and gender
in the ’80s. Do you think newer artists are pushing far enough for social
change with their art?
BG: Anybody who brightens the horizon has my support. It’s difficult
for someone like Lady Gaga because she’s a woman and she’s straight,
I think. I don’t know her well enough, but I think it’s wonderful that
she’s supportive of gay people and that’s to be applauded. Sometimes I
read about different people, like Justin Bieber, and think, “Oh my god.”
(Laughs) So I think people like Gaga are a blessing and they must be
applauded for their support – because it’s not always the case.
GC&E: Both Gaga and Adam have referenced you as one of their idols.
If you were them, would you look up to yourself?
BG: That’s a very difficult question. (Laughs) I think now I would,
because at this point in my life I feel very positive and optimistic and I
think I want to inspire people. That’s where I am right now, and that’s
what I wanted to do when I started. There’s been distractions along the
way, but I feel right now that I have a responsibility in a way to kind of
be inspiring and, yes, maybe I would look up to myself now. Not always,
but I think now is probably a good time. (Laughs)
GC&E: When wouldn’t you have looked up to yourself?
BG: (Laughs) They’ve all been pretty well-documented. I don’t think I
need to point them out. But on my current record, a lot of people have
said that the record’s really optimistic and quite joyful and has a certain
kind of serenity, and I think that’s always been part of me. I’ve always
had a strong sense of optimism. Yes, I’ve been terribly self-destructive
at points in my life, but there’s always been this underlying desire to be
sane. At the moment I’d say that’s winning out, and that’s a good thing.
GC&E: How do you feel now that you’ve kicked your drug addiction?
BG: The difference in me as a person, it’s phenomenal, and that’s
reflected in the way people treat me and the way I communicate. People
used to withdraw from me when I was an addict.
GC&E: What are some of your healthier addictions?
BG: I eat pretty well. I’m pretty healthy. I exercise a lot now. I’ve given
up the smoking, which is really the last vice. Things are really positive
at the moment, and that’s such a relief, really. I go to NA, and it’s had a
very, very powerful effect on me. It’s renewed my faith in humanity, and
I think having a spiritual program is really useful.
I pray every night and every morning, and even if I’m only speaking
to myself, I think it’s a really healthy thing – to just have that moment
in your day where you just say something positive about yourself and
about the world.
GC&E: All these gay men – Ricky Martin, Clay Aiken, Neil Patrick
Harris and now Elton John – are raising kids. Do you feel the urge to
have a boy George?
BG: I don’t personally feel the urge, but I think if it’s something you
really desire then that’s fine. I think it’s totally acceptable. My mother’s
generation really raised their kids on their own. My father was like a lot
of men: He was never around, and he really left the child-rearing to my
mother.
It’s a life-changing thing, and I was really amazed, because I’m friends
with Elton, and I didn’t know at all that he was doing that. (Laughs) But
it’s something he’s always wanted.
GC&E: So you’re not interested?
52
www.gaycalgary.com
BG: I’m not maternal, no. I have two dogs, and one of them is very
needy. (Laughs) It’s not something you take lightly. I know that Elton
will have a lot of help, but still, it’s a big emotional investment. And I’m
not one of those people who think gay people shouldn’t have kids. I also
think you don’t make a child gay by raising it. My parents were straight,
my brothers are all straight, we all drank the same water, ate the same
food. People need to realize that’s not how it works. (Laughs)
GC&E: Tell me about the Culture Club reunion.
BG: We’re going to do a big showcase in October to announce what
we’re doing and hopefully around that time we’ll start recording or
writing, and in 2012 we’re going to celebrate our 30th anniversary and
do a huge tour and hopefully come to America... if they’ll let me in. At the
moment I’m banned, so I’m hoping. I’ve got people working on that right
now. It’s really important that we play America; it’s going to be amazing.
GC&E: It’s been a long time since you have.
BG: Speak to Obama for me. Have a word. I mean, he’s guesting on my
album (on “Yes We Can”), so I’m sure he’ll be cool. (Laughs)
GC&E: What inspired the 30th anniversary reunion?
BG: We did something about 13 years ago, which was quite random
but it was a lot of fun at the time. But we get along better now. We’re
all a bit more grown up and quite focused. And a lot of it is me. If I’m in
a good space it really affects everybody around me. I have a really good
relationship with the guys in the band now. I’m really good friends with
Jon (Moss) now. There was a long time when everything about him used
to drive me crazy, as it does with ex-partners. It’s all about growing up.
difficult and I hope that with age they become easier. I mean, I’m not in
a relationship right now.
GC&E: You’re not interested in one either, are you?
BG: No, I’m not really looking. I’ve never really been someone who
needs a partner. If somebody amazing comes along and blows me away,
then great, I’m open to it. But I’m not going to put up with anything.
I’m not one of those people who needs to be involved; I need to be
with someone that I –particularly at this stage in my life – kind of really
respect and someone that’s not really overly concerned with what I do
and someone who can really cope with the baggage that comes with
being me, even though a lot of it is kind of imagined.
People who don’t know me read a lot of crap about me and they
base their kind of idea of me on what they’ve read, and sometimes that
can be a good thing – because people are always saying to me, “You’re
nothing like I thought you’d be.” I don’t know what people expect, but I
guess that’s one of the ills of being in the public eye and having so many
contradictory things written about yourself.
GC&E: You’ve said you’re finally growing up, and I’m wondering if it’s
enough to warrant a name change – Boy George to Man George?
BG: (Laughs) I don’t think I’ll ever escape that moniker, and I’m not
the up-my-own-ass-I’m-gonna-change-my-name-in-a-bid-to-be-takenseriously type. Boy George is a stage name and it suits me, and I think
it’s just gonna stick. (Laughs) Let’s not complicate things
by changing my name.
GC&E: Your relationship with Jon caused a lot of tension in the
group. Speaking from experience, do you have any advice for inter-office
romances?
BG: (Laughs) Oh my god! Well, no, I don’t actually. I don’t think I’m
qualified to give relationship advice to anyone. Advice is very easy to give,
but it’s not so easy to put into practice. A lot of my friends come to me
and cry on my shoulder and I’m very good at telling them what they’re
doing wrong, but then when you try to apply it to yourself, it’s a lot
harder. I think relationships – whether they’re gay or straight – are very
www.gaycalgary.com
53
Product Review
SmartSilk
Hypoallergenic Bedding
By Rob Diaz-Marino
Apparently I should be more careful about “who” I bring
to bed with me. I found out that every time you climb
under the covers of the average bed, you’re getting in
with millions of dust mytes, dead skin particles and
hair that have shed naturally from your body - and that
of your pets - nights prior; if you’re unlucky enough,
perhaps you even have bedbugs lurking about. Worse,
when you wrap yourself in your sheets or bury your face
in your pillow (for whatever reason), you’re breathing all
of this stuff in!
In my household we have 3 cats that curl up with us every
night, and we’re pretty furry creatures ourselves. So perhaps
it’s no wonder that I have often woken up feeling congested, or
with my eyes and sinuses irritated – like summertime allergies
in the dead of winter.
Several months ago we received a set of bed sheets from
SmartSilk to try for ourselves. SmartSilk boasts many benefits
to their products, especially for asthmatics who are particularly
sensitive – both to the allergens normally found in beds, and
even the material that some bedding is made out of.
How does it protect you from the aforementioned under-cover
nasties?
SmartSilk outlines that their sheets act as a barrier against
dust mites and pet dander, as well as repelling bedbugs. Other
mentioned benefits of the special material include: mold and
mildew resistance, moisture wicking properties that potentially
reduce night sweats, odour resistance, and fire retardance to
boot. And for such a unique material, you might be surprised
to know that it is machine washable and dryable.
We tried it out for ourselves. The SmartSilk mattress pad,
pillow protectors, and duvet went under our own fitted sheet,
pillow cases, and duvet cover. The SmartSilk duvet is pretty
thin for our cold Canadian winters, so we needed to put a few
more blankets on top – however the duvet remained between us
and the rest of the non-SmartSilk blankets.
My first night sleeping with these sheets wasn’t as satisfactory
as I had hoped. The weight and flexibility of the duvet took
some getting used to, and I found that the pillow protectors
cause something of a rustling noise whenever I rolled over.
54
Nevertheless, I quickly got used to this and for the past two
months I have been waking up in the morning without the
irritated eyes or the stuffy nose. In fact, I honestly plan to
continue using the SmartSilk bedding, even after this review is
done and published.
The only drawback for others who want to get their hands
on this product, may be that the price is a little steep for some.
For our Queen sized bed, the mattress pad would go for $275,
the pillow protectors for $40, and the duvet for $350. The full
bedding set (including pillows) goes for just under $650.
So SmartSilk provides a quality product that solves or reduces
a number of health problems that can exist with conventional
bedding. If you have the money to spend, and are concerned or
affected by some of these health issues, then I’m certain these
sheets are well worth the investment.
SmartSilk Bedding
www.smartsilk.com
www.gaycalgary.com
Photography
Team Edmonton Mixer, Edmonton
Oscar Party at the Backlot, Calgary
Winter Wonderland at the Junction, Edmonton
www.gaycalgary.com
55
Photography
Jasper Pride - Photos courtesy Rob Brown Photography of Jasper
(www.lightchaser.ca) and Dallas Barnes
56
www.gaycalgary.com
Photography
Sharp Foundation 20th Anniversary, Calgary
www.gaycalgary.com
MRU Gender Bender at Liberty Lounge, Calgary
57
Photography
MiscYouth at Quincy’s - Calgary
MiscYouth at Club Sapein - Calgary
Bustloose Gay Pub Crawl at the Backlot, Club Sapien and Twisted Element - Calgary
58
www.gaycalgary.com
Photography
Drag Show at Holiday on the Hill - Calgary
GBM Live at the Junction - Edmonton
Three Queens and a King at Club Sapien - Calgary
www.gaycalgary.com
59
Photography
Calgary Eagle Anniversary
60
www.gaycalgary.com
www.gaycalgary.com
61
62
www.gaycalgary.com
www.gaycalgary.com
63

erving floetry

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