boutique corner decorative jolees photo

Transcription

May 2009
ISSUE 67
The Only Magazine Dedicated
to Alberta’s GLBT+ Community
FREE
Laramie Project
Remembering Matthew Shepard
Trans Healthcare
Nightmare
19 Cents Too Steep to Save Lives?
Fairy Tales 11
Film Guide
Community Directory • Map and Events • Tourism Info >> Starting on Page 17
GLBT Resource • Calgary • Edmonton • Alberta
www.gaycalgary.com
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #67, May 2009
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
8
Suzanne Whang
Multi-tasking Entertainer visits The Comic Strip
10 Pimpin Ain’t Easy
An interview with Gay Pimp Jonny McGovern
13Chelsea Boys
Photography
14Out of Town
Videography
17 Directory and Events
Printers
23The Delisting of Hope
Distribution
24Creep of the Week
Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, and
contributors Karen Hofmann.
Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino
North Hill News/Central Web
Calgary:.........................Gallant Distribution
. .....................................GayCalgary Staff
Edmonton:......................Clark’s Distribution
Other:........................................Canada Post
Legal Council
Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors
Sales & General Inquiries
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine
#403, 215 14th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB, Canada T2R 0M2
Taos, New Mexico
National Organization for Marriage
25 Q Scopes
“You need down time, Gemini!”
26 Leather Pride Weekend
Priape and Calgary Eagle Bring Major Fetish Event to Calgary
Office Hours:.............. By appointment ONLY
27 Laramie Project
Phone:................................. (403) 543-6960
Toll Free:............................ 1-888-543-6960
Fax:..................................... (403) 703-0685
E-Mail:[email protected]
28 Deep Inside Hollywood
This Month's Cover
Szejn Della Rocca, James Demers, Seema
Doad, Barry Gagliardi, Mallary Gallant,
Kevin Johnson, Megan Leigh, Christina
Parker, Bobbie Perron, Abbey Shaw. Photo
taken by Rob Diaz-Marino.
PAGE 5
Mercedes Allen, Chris Azzopardi, Camper
British, Dave Brousseau, Jason Clevett,
Andrew Collins, James S.M. Demers, Rob
Diaz-Marino, Jack Fertig, Glen Hanson,
Joan Hilty, Evan Kayne, Stephen Lock,
Allan Neuwirth, Steve Polyak, Romeo San
Vicente, D’Anne Witkowski, and the GLBT
Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and
Alberta.
Publisher’s Column
PAGE 8
Writers and Contributors
5Adventures in Drag
Misc Youth Network and AIDS Calgary Remember Matthew Shepard
Lucy Lawless to Imprison Spartacus
PAGE 10
Publisher:................................. Steve Polyak
Editor:................................ Rob Diaz-Marino
Graphic Design:................. Rob Diaz-Marino
Sales:........................................ Steve Polyak
29Cocktail Chatter
Building a Better Bloody Mary and Hangover Helper
30Entre Nous
Continued on Next Page 
32Trans Healthcare Nightmare
www.gaycalgary.com
PAGE 26
Matchmaker or Money Maker?
Continued on Next Page 
Table of Contents
 Continued From Previous Page
Proud members of:
34Corner Gassed
A Slice of Small Town Life at Jubilations
35A Couple of Guys
PAGE 28
36 Bitter Girl
40Almost a Person
41 Letters to the Editor
43 Fundraising Photos
44The Buddy Holly Story
Stage West Tributes Music Icon 50 Years After his Death
Magazine
45 Studies in Motion
Print Circulation:.................. ~10,000 copies
Pickup Density:....................~3 readers/copy
Online Circulation:............. ~60,000 readers
Total Readership:............... ~90,000 readers
Frequency:.................................Every Month
PAGE 34
Visual Treat Wraps Up ATP Season
46 Music Review
Hide Nothing, Workout, Scream, Perfect World
48Classified Ads
Alberta:...................... ~300 Drop-off Points
PAGE 44
57 Queer Eye - Community Events
http://www.gaycalgary.com/i67
Read more articles and exclusive content online!
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.
http://www.gaycalgary.com/RSS
Articles • Recent News • Prize Draws • Events • Travel Info
Join us on
Follow us on
acebook
www.gaycalgary.com/facebook
Opinions expressed in this magazine
are specific to the author, and do not
necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff
and contributors.
Those involved in the making of this
publication, whether advertisers,
contributors, or the subjects of articles
or photographs, are not necessarily gay,
lesbian, bisexual, or trans. GayCalgary
also includes straight allies and those who
are gay friendly.
Ad Booking
Friday, May 29th, 2009
Please contact us immediately if you think
you may have missed the booking or
submission deadline.
Please call us if your establishment would
like to become a distribution point.
Disclaimer and Copyright
June 2009
Print Deadlines
In Circulation
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Proof of monthly figures can be requested.
Distribution Locations
51 Fairytales Film Guide
Ad Submission
Monday, June 1st, 2009
 Continued from Previous Page
www.gaycalgary.com/twitter
No part of this publication may be
reprinted or modified without the
expressed written permission of the editor
or publisher.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
GayCalgary is a registered trademark.
Editorial
Adventures in Drag
Publisher’s Column
By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc.
I’ve been watching and photographing Drag Shows
since I first met Steve. Before I understood what
it was all about, I was a little put off by his apparent interest in men wearing dresses. It took nearly
a year of periodic exposure to drag shows before I
began to appreciate them for their entertainment
value. I suppose one needs to collect enough memories of the hard-hitting numbers, rather than the
more transient weekly ones, to really get into the
right mindset. Admittedly, I enjoyed some of the
outrageously crude numbers by Selma Body (“Like
A Virgin”, “I Keep a Piece of You”) and Candy Cummings (“C is for Cookie”) on the Detours stage before
I appreciated the more classical styles of queens like
Nina, Voodoo, Carly, and Kricket.
My first Coronation was somewhat confusing. I remember
heading to the Days Inn after a final exam, to join Steve who was
in the process of photographing and videotaping (using a
tripod) so I didn’t have much
to do but stand and watch the
equipment, and of course, the
show. I remember that year
was an Egyptian theme with
some reference to Stargate
- and one performance sticks
out in my mind for the fact
that the performer was carried
onstage inside a sarcophagus. I wasn’t sure how to act
around the queens in crowns
who introduced themselves to
me. I ended up kissing a few
of them on the hand, thinking
it was customary to do so after
seeing someone else doing it.
I’m sure none objected, I just
felt a little silly when I later realized it wasn’t necessary, and
perhaps a little flirtatious.
Fast forward through nearly
7 years of being purely an
observer and supporter of the
drag scene, to the Tough Drag
show the night after this year’s
Coronation. Both Steve and I
were exhausted and I suppose
I must have been in a particularly malleable mood because
when Dion Boink approached
me with the idea, my answer
was NOT a flat-out “no” as
Steve’s was.
ally had the desire
to do drag. We like
our beards and body
hair, and we deem
any interruption of its
presence to be completely unacceptable.
Nevertheless, we
had still planned out
what our drag names
would be, should
either of us ever get
roped into drag for
a rare occasion. We
told ourselves that
we’d only do this for
some sort of big fundraiser, but this night I
was feeling like doing
something crazy.
The premise of
tough drag meant
that I could perform
without any preparation al a razor. Of course I still had a couple of concerns. My first, of actually getting into drag, was taken
care of by Makayla (Steve R.) who graciously offered to do the
makeup and lend me clothes and a wig. By gracious, I probably
mean eager to help me make a fool of myself (wink). My next
was having a song to perform that I knew well enough, which
Makayla helped me find in her CD collection. Once I knew those
were taken care of, I had no more excuses.
I believed him when he told me I might be less nervous
if I didn’t look at myself until after I had performed.
Indeed I would later discover that I looked like some
demented peppy prostitute, fresh out of a Ponoka
mental institution.
It all happened so fast - I had waffled long enough and show
time was approaching. Makayla rushed to get my face painted
in a mere 10 minutes, got me into a dress (ironically the same
one worn by Vadge The Bucket only a month ago…that’s Karma
for you) with balloons for breasts, and a wild bushy wig. If you
thought socks and sandals was a bad combination, try socks
and heels. I believed him when he told me I might be less nervous if I didn’t look at myself until after I had performed. Indeed
I would later discover that I looked like some demented peppy
prostitute, fresh out of a Ponoka mental institution. As train
wrecks go, I was spectacular, but that was exactly the point of
tough drag.
Continued on Page 37 
Steve and I have never re-
Celebrity Interview
Suzanne Whang
Multi-tasking Entertainer visits The Comic Strip
By Jason Clevett
To list the resume of Suzanne Whang would take up
a full page of this magazine. So to sum it up, she is
a comic, author, TV host on HGTV’s House Hunters,
starred in the TV show Las Vegas, and has landed
guest roles on Cold Case, Two & a Half Men, Boston Legal, Still Standing, Criminal Minds, Nip/Tuck, The Practice, Strong Medicine, Robbery Homicide Division, Norm,
and NYPD Blue. She was also in the film Constantine
and was the first person to send Oprah Winfrey The
Secret. But that is just scratching the surface.
As a performer however, Whang’s heart belongs to Sung Hee
Park. The politically incorrect alter-ego will leave you rolling in the
aisles at Edmonton’s The Comic Strip May 28th to 31st.
“It all started in my acting class,” she told GayCalgary and
Edmonton Magazine over the phone from Los Angeles. “We were
encouraged to write our own material and take risks and not be
afraid to fail. I am a ballsy chick so I decided to write some stand
up comedy and performed it for the teacher. That wasn’t the
character initially. The bit was originally about stupid shit that
people say to Asian women. I know I look like this, but I was born
in Virginia. People say ‘Your English is so good!’ Thanks, I learned
it in Virginia. So these are stupid things people have said to me
throughout my life.”
“The teacher laughed hysterically and said ‘this is great material you could do it in comedy clubs, but you should embrace the
Asian stereotypes that you hate so much.’ What? Are you kidding
me? I have been proving to everyone my whole life that I am not
like that. And he said ‘Exactly. You should embrace it as part of
you and see what happens.’”
The suggestion did not go over well at first, but Whang gave it
some afterthought.
”I was livid and thought about quitting the class, even though
he had been a great teacher up until that moment. I thought about
it for awhile and decided to at least try what he was saying. So I
created the character. I put on the Asian dress and stood there
livid in my living room. Then I decided, what if she was a stand
up comic from Korea who doesn’t speak English very well and
tells jokes that are really inappropriate and filthy but she doesn’t
understand what she is saying. I got really excited about that. I
brought that back to my acting class and it was such a huge success. It made me realize that embracing what I had been resisting
so much really was great. It really gave me a way to use my Asian
ancestry in a satirical way to make fun of stereotypes, racism and
prejudice in America. People either think it is the funniest thing
they have ever seen or they want to picket my act.”
have to be at the present moment. It kicks
in endorphins and
boosts your immune
system, you feel good.
Truly it is the best way to
have people learn. The best way
for me to teach is to present things
with a sense of humor. I can’t seem to
hear people when they are standing on
their soapbox being serious, screaming at me or wagging their finger.”
If you are looking for some
laughs, you will get them at the
show. Watching clips on her
website shows her to be, if not
hysterically funny, then very
politically incorrect.
“I think what is happening on the planet right now,
we need more laughter.
People who haven’t seen
my show before, or only
seen me hosting on (House
Hunters) will be floored.
…It will make you laugh,
make you cry and make
you feel like you’ve got
your money’s worth.”
She also hopes that
the GLBT community
will come out to the
show. She was very
supportive in standing up against Prop
8 in California and
has a huge gay fan
base.
“Provincetown,
Massachusetts has
been my favorite place to do shows because of the incredible gay audiences. I
thought I knew how to entertain an audience and then I played
for an all-gay audience. You would have thought I was Cher or
Madonna or something, it was incredible. I have never experienced
that kind of respect until I played for an all-gay audience.”
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1240
View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
The result is a blend between Archie Bunker from TV’s All In
The Family and Andy Kaufman. In fact, Whang won the inaugural
Andy Kaufman award at the New York Comedy Festival. Performing comedy and doing speaking engagements is her favorite thing,
she says.
Suzanne Whang
”Anything where I am standing by myself on a stage in front of
people saying things I have written, is my favorite thing. I tailor
whatever I say to whom I am talking to. I feel like I was born to
stand at a podium and talk to people. The ability to make people
laugh, in my opinion is a great gift. When you are laughing you




May 28th – 31st
The Comic Strip
www.thecomicstrip.ca
www.suzannewhang.com
Celebrity Interview
Pimpin Ain’t Easy
An interview with Gay Pimp Jonny McGovern
By Jason Clevett
It’s been a heck of a ride for Jonny McGovern. He
gained a buzz in his early days in the clubs in New
York City before becoming a viral sensation in 2003
with the video Soccer Practice. Now he divides his
time between his Gay Pimp podcasts, albums, stand
up shows, and to being a headline player on LOGO’s
Big Gay Sketch Show.
McGovern’s alter-ego, The Gay Pimp, was the launching pad for
much of his success, ironically because of rapper Eminem.
”I had been doing a series of midnight musicals in the east village
with a bunch of other artists down there, we were putting on these
retarded late night musicals. At the same time Eminem started
picking on the homos. I remember thinking that lots of people
didn’t seem to think it was that bad that he was calling us fags and
things like that. So the thing I could do as a comedian was to do
my own super rock musical. That was my own way of protesting.”
The Wrong Fag to Fuck With: The Gay Pimp vs. Eminem was born.
“Gay Pimp was a pop star who confronts Eminem at the MTV
music awards. You can imagine how it ended; Eminem got fucked
in the ass and gay teens were set free forever. The songs I was
performing were also really popular and it was fun for me to dabble
in music. In high school I imagined that I would be an R&B singer
and be taken very seriously. As I grew up I realized that, as a 6’4”
white homo, that probably wasn’t going to happen. Suddenly all
my music came in, I was performing them around town and DJ’s
started picking them up. I could see that something was on a roll.”
We caught up with McGovern on the phone while rehearsing for
the third season of The Big Gay Sketch Show. The fun thing about
his music is that it is incredibly catchy (check out the video for
Somethin’ For the Fellas (That Like the Fellas) and try to get it out of
your head, I dare you!) but also hysterically funny.
“I am a comedian before anything, it is not like I am going to sing
serious ballads. There will always be a joke or a wink in the material. I usually start with some funny concept and start building a
track around it. So the comedy always comes first.”
For an independent gay artist, the viral world is a great asset.
McGovern’s music videos can be found on YouTube and he also
hosts a podcast.
“It was the key to it, and continues to be so. Even though I am
on the Big Gay Sketch Show now, the internet was how I was discovered in the first place. When I did the video for Soccer Practice
that was before there was even YouTube. People were just trading
that back and fourth to each other. Had that happened today I
would have had an easier route to riches. There are a lot more ways
for people to make money from their content that is online than
there was even five years ago. It allowed me to build on that. My
10
podcast, my web series Three Dollar Bill are both on the internet
and doing very well. It is key for me to be able to continue to release
things without any rules or someone corporate telling me what I
can do. As a gay artist that is extremely important.”
Of course, his videos are chock full of incredibly good-looking,
scantily clad men. Poor Jonny McGovern has to be surrounded by
cute boys all day. While it may seem glamorous, he testifies that it
is still a lot of work.
”The hanging out with cute guys is very fun. As an independent
artist, putting together a video is a long and arduous process. I
usually am co-directing and producing the video with a crew on a
non-existent budget to look like it is a very high budget. There is a
lot of pretend glamour going on and pulling in favors from everyone you can. Luckily all the homos that roll in our crew are in the
entertainment industry and can lend a hand that way. It is a lot
of shuffling, shucking, and jiving to try and get people to show up
on time and look like it magically happened, like it would for Janet
Jackson. Janet Jackson doesn’t have to call people up and remind
them to come to the shoot.”
Drag and Trans artists are a big influence on McGovern, whose
videos include Linda James, Ericka Toure Aviance, and Maxinne
Innis. While McGovern’s own drag is purely comedic, he does respect the art form.
“I keep my own personal drag for comedy only, because I know I
make one ugly woman. I certainly love the art of doing drag. In my
videos drag queens are everywhere because in my life drag queens
are everywhere. Working in nightlife in New York City I have met
and seen some amazing drag queens like Kevin Aviance, Sweetie
and the girls I work with - Coco, Ericka and Linda James, who is
my co-host on the podcast. I think it is an art form that sometimes
is not treated as such. There is so much creativity. It is great to see
RuPaul’s Drag Race showing all the different things it takes to be
a drag queen and shedding light on that. Even the clothes, most of
the queens are wearing outfits created by them. There is a lot of
craft and ingenuity in just the clothes that are made for shows, let
Celebritity Interview
alone the nuances of performance. It is something I don’t look too
beautiful in but I can appreciate the art in all the queens around
the world.”
While most of the songs are upbeat, fast paced club mixes, McGovern did channel his inner R&B singer for Don’t Fall In Love With
A Homo (A Song For The Ladies), which describes what many a gay
boy has gone through with his girlfriend(s).
“I found that over the years, no matter how gay the material,
I found that over the years, no matter how gay the
material, even if I sang a song called ‘hey ladies I like
to fuck guys in the butt’ I would get a girl or two who
would have inappropriate questions of me.
even if I sang a song called ‘hey ladies I like to fuck guys in the
butt’ I would get a girl or two who would have inappropriate questions of me. The girl who used to direct all of my one-man shows
around New York had a crush on me. It became a long-standing
joke, I would just tell her, girl there is no way you can’t fall in love
with a homo, you gotta find a real man. Obviously that is something that happens to everybody. When I was putting together Gays
Gone Wild we wanted to end the record with a big 70’s style ballad.
If you are going to talk to the ladies you have to talk to them in a
really smooth way to get your message across. We sat down and
the lyrics flowed because it came from a very true place. Whenever
I perform the song live, the girls get really into it and their homos
say ‘yes! This one right over here!’ I always know in a room full of a
straight audience I can get half the crowd on my side because the
ladies can relate to that song.”
McGovern has gained huge exposure for his projects as part of
the hilarious Big Gay Sketch Show. The show is entering its third
season on Logo and is spearheaded by two early lesbian activists
– director Amanda Bearse (Married with Children) and producer
Rosie O’Donnell.
“It is pretty amazing. Rosie was very involved early on in the
process; she picked us in the auditions. When we taped the pilot
she was there every step of the way to help us figure out the tone
and she visited the set quite a bit. During the second season she
appeared at the end of each episode like Waldorf and Statler in the
Muppets. With her being someone I watched on TV it was amazing to chat with her and have her know my name. When she was
doing The View we used to get a lot of inside dirt. She would come
directly from The View set to our set and we heard stories, which
was a lot of fun. Amanda is our director, so every season we are
working hand in hand with her. We have gotten to know her really
well. She is a great lady. Being one of the first, visible out lesbians
in Hollywood when I was growing up, it is amazing to get to work
with her.”
extremely edgy, topical material and our funniest one yet,” said
McGovern, before going on to recall some of his favorite characters.
“I really enjoyed the Logo Life Tips characters, although they were
never brought back for season 2 or 3. One of my favorite characters
is Tranny Chocolate Puddin’, who was in the first season in Tranny
911 and in season 2 So You Think You’re Smarter Than a Tranny
Hooker. That is a character I used to do in my one man show Dirty
Stuff, and in my podcast, it is a character I have done for so long it
is great to bring out. This season I get to play Karl Lagerfeld, which
is a lot of fun.”
It is remarkable to think that we live in an era where there are
TV stations dedicated to gay content. McGovern is happy to be
breaking ground and have the opportunity to influence gay youth.
“The network is doing well but there are so few doing extremely
gay material, it is still a struggle to get past what someone thinks.
They ghettoize you as ‘too gay.’ I am certainly glad to be on LOGO
because what better place for me to do gay comedy? It is great that
there is a place for it but it still needs to be branched out more.
Now kids have role models and pictures of gay life that aren’t what
we had. I remember looking on TV for any kind of gay person when
I was in High School and only found Blanche’s brother on Golden
Girls. That was not something that made me feel like, yeah I’m
great, I’m gay - I can be like Blanche’s lonely older brother! Now
there is a lot more different points of view for people to see. When
the Soccer Practice video came out all those years ago I got an overwhelming amount of E-mail from gay teenagers who had never seen
something that was gay, tough and cool, and they thanked me for
it. There is a lot more of that now. When I did that video the idea of
an independent gay artist doing a video that might get on MTV or
VH1 was unheard of. Now everywhere I go in the East Village somebody is shooting a video, and there is the LOGO clicklist. We still
have awhile to go but thank goodness we’ve made some strides.”
It is great to see a talented, openly gay man having such success.
McGovern is thankful for what he has achieved so far, but at 33
years old, he feels he still has lots to accomplish.
”I am grateful to have been able to find my way as an artist from
obscure theatres on the lower east side, to be able to be in videos
that were seen on MTV in Europe and Asia, toured the world and
been on LOGO. I am still growing and trying to figure out myself.
Every year I ask, what am I going to do new? What will be interesting for me? How do I evolve? If you don’t evolve it gets boring.
Especially as a gay independent artist you have to love what you
are doing, so you have to know yourself and what you are going
to do and if it will make you happy. I just want to get bigger and
better. I’m on LOGO, let’s go and get a Jonny McGovern show on
primetime!”
The show has experienced its growing pains but has evolved into
a very entertaining television spot.
“The first season everyone was testing the waters to see how
LOGO wanted us to do the show. In season two is where we really
hit our stride, they really gave us a lot more freedom and it got a
lot funnier and dirtier. This season is going to be even better; it is
11
12
13
Out of Town
Taos, New Mexico
View of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, from a casita at the
American Artists Gallery House B&B.
By Andrew Collins
Remote and resplendent Taos, a diminutive town of
about 6,500 nestled beneath New Mexico’s highest
peaks, has long been a haven for artists, bohemians
and free spirits. The percentage of gays and lesbians in the population is likely far less than Santa
Fe or Albuquerque, but Taos nevertheless pulls in a
considerable number of GLBT visitors. It’s a perfect
long-weekend destination, just 90 minutes from
Santa Fe and a little over four hours from Denver.
The town abounds with exceptional art galleries, notable restaurants, gay-friendly B&Bs and an almost
endless supply of cultural and outdoors diversion.
In choosing a place to stay, go with either of two strategies: If
you’re here more for relaxation and romance, and to soak up the
50-mile views, opt for one of the gay-friendly inns 10 miles north of
town in the spectacularly scenic village of Arroyo Seco, which also
has a couple of superb restaurants. If you’re more the type to explore art galleries and museums and sample as many restaurants
as possible, pick one of the excellent properties right in the heart of
Taos’ small downtown.
Among downtown properties, the swanky El Monte Sagrado
ranks among the most stunning small resorts in New Mexico. This
sumptuous compound - built with revolutionary environmental
technology that makes it one of the “greenest” hotels anywhere
- has individually decorated rooms, suites and casitas in all sizes,
with international themes and priceless art and furniture; most
have fireplaces and some have private decks with hot tubs. The
14
hotel’s Living Spa offers a wide range of fabulous treatments, and
El Monte’s elegant De la Tierra restaurant serves superb, globally
influenced cuisine, such Moroccan lamb with harissa and barbecue eggplant, and crispy Onaga snapper with a Russian caviar
beurre blanc sauce.
Another great pick right in the heart of Taos is historic - and allegedly haunted - Taos Inn.
Some of the retro-cool rooms in this atmospheric hotel open onto
a small courtyard, while others are inside the 1930s main building.
Even if you don’t stay here, enjoy margaritas in the classy Adobe
Bar, or on the adjacent patio - it’s the top perch for people-watching in Taos. Hotel La Fonda is another excellent, upscale option
- it’s right on Taos Plaza and is home to the phenomenal Joseph’s
Table restaurant, where you might sample such creative fare
as soy-cured duck breast with ginger sauce and a sweet-potato
tamale. Rooms in this rambling adobe inn come in a good range of
configurations and prices and have attractive Southwestern furnishings - some have kiva-style gas fireplaces and separate sitting
rooms.
An enchanting, reasonably priced option that’s just a short
drive south of downtown, the gay-friendly American Artists Gallery
House consists of 10 charmingly furnished rooms and suites, all
with wood-burning fireplaces and knock-out views of the Sangre
de Cristos. Each unit has a private entrance, but guests can also
mingle over a hearty full breakfast each morning in the sunny dining room.
Up in Arroyo Seco, the luxurious, light-filled Adobe and Stars
B&B offers stunning 360-degree vistas of the surrounding countryside. This contemporary house is surrounded by decks and patios
and filled with big windows, high ceilings and elegant furniture;
some guest rooms have Jacuzzis and fireplaces. Nearby, Salsa del
Salto is an inviting inn with spacious rooms, some in the main
Travel
building and others in a more private wing. The best rooms have
jetted whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, but all are handsomely furnished.
With an especially peaceful and hidden-away location on a mesa
a few miles west of Arroyo Seco, the moderately priced Little Tree
B&B affords panoramic views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains
and Rio Grande Valley. The four simple but refined guest rooms
in this authentic adobe house open onto a flowery garden usually
buzzing with hummingbirds.
Taos is a vibrant mix of the region’s Indian, Spanish and frontier legacies, further influenced by the legions of artists, writers
and creative spirits who have settled - or at the very least passed
through - among them Ansel Adams, D.H. Lawrence, Georgia
O’Keeffe and Aldous Huxley. You can tour dozens of art galleries in
the center of town, which also contains quite a few funky specialty
shops, selling everything from Day of the Dead figurines to New
Age crystals.
Downtown also has four superb art museums of the caliber
you’d expect of a much larger city. Start with a tour of the Taos
Art Museum, a striking adobe house that was once the home of
famed Russian portraitist Nicholai Fechin. Here you get to explore
Fechin’s life and see his portraits, and you also get a good sense
of Taos’ early master painters and the history of this fabled art
colony.
Two other excellent art museums - the Blumenschein Home
and Museum and the Harwood Museum - are just a few blocks
away. Ernest Blumenschein was one of the founders of the Taos
art colony, and his stunningly restored 1797 hacienda contains
original furnishings, vintage photos and paintings by him and his
many prominent colleagues. A few doors down, the prodigious and
prestigious Harwood Museum contains a mix of items, from Spanish Colonial religious iconography to stark and provocative modern
works by such 20th-century notables as Marsden Hartley (who was
openly gay), John Marin and Agnes Martin.
It’s the Millicent Rogers Museum, however, that’s often the top
highlight of arts-minded visitors. This rambling adobe house overflows with thousands of decorative arts and crafts, mostly of local
Hispanic and Native American origin. You can find everything here
from Navajo blankets to turquoise jewelry to fine pottery. It’s an
excellent place to gain an overview of New Mexico’s rich arts legacy,
which dates back many centuries. If you have time, leave the
museum by continuing north on U.S. 64, turning left (still on U.S.
64) at the traffic signal, and following the road about 7 miles west
to the vertigo-inducing Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which rises some
650-feet above the wild river below - it’s a terrific photo op.
If museum-hopping isn’t your thing, consider the town’s wealth
of outdoors activities. A favorite draw is white water rafting through
Taos Box, a dramatic 17-mile span of the Rio Grande River that
cuts through a deep gorge of steep, black-basalt cliffs. Mountainbiking and fly-fishing are similarly popular diversions, and Taos
Country Club (which is open to the public) offers 18 holes of golf
out along a magnificent high mesa south of downtown. Surrounding Taos is Carson National Forest, much of which sprawls across
the 13,000-foot Sangre de Cristo mountains; this is prime hiking
territory. Finally, in winter, Taos Ski Valley - about 20 miles northeast of downtown - is a huge attraction. It’s consistently ranked by
top ski magazines as one of the most difficult and exciting facilities
in the country.
Taos may be small and informal, but it enjoys an excellent reputation for outstanding - and highly sophisticated - restaurants.
Two of the musts for foodies are Joseph’s Table and De la Tierra,
mentioned above. Another top pick, up in Arroyo Seco, is Sabroso
Restaurant and Bar, which occupies a romantic hacienda-style
building and serves delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. It’s
known for its stellar wine list (lots of hard-to-find Spanish and
Italian varietals), and there’s live music in the bar many evenings.
Taos has no gay bars per se, but the bar at Sabroso (as well as the
one at the Taos Inn) both have something of a GLBT following.
On Taos’ south side, the Trading Post Cafe has made a name for
itself serving hearty contemporary American and Italian fare; the
walls here are hung with local art. A favorite with locals, Byzantium occupies a discreet courtyard a short walk south of the
Plaza and serves up unusual, globally inspired creations, such as
lobster potpie with artichoke hearts and sweet corn, simmered in
a brandy bisque. The Apple Tree, in an 19th-century Territorialstyle house near the Plaza, offers an eclectic mix of Southwestern
and American dishes, from smoked trout to veggie green curry. It’s
especially popular for Sunday brunch.
For lighter, healthful fare, head to the Dragonfly Cafe & Bakery,
a European-inspired eatery with a lovely courtyard and a convenient location near shopping and
galleries. A popular venue for breakfast
or lunch, the Dragonfly serves such
memorable fare as fennel pancakes
with orange syrup, and udon noodle
bowls with fresh shrimp. If you’re
passing through Arroyo Seco, be sure
to visit Taos Cow, a lively cafe serving tasty deli sandwiches and iconic
house-made ice cream (pinon-caramel
is a favorite flavor). It’s the perfect spot
to soak up local flavors, people-watch,
and enjoy the magnificent views of the
high desert and soaring peaks that surround Taos.
Andrew Collins is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA and eight
additional travel guides.
The Little Black Book
 Adobe and Stars B&B (575-776-2776 or 800-211-7076, www.
taosadobe.com). American Artists Gallery House (800-532-2041,
www.taosbedandbreakfast.com). The Apple Tree (575-758-1900).
Byzantium (575-751-0805). Dragonfly Cafe & Bakery (575-737-5859,
www.dragonflytaos.com). El Monte Sagrado and De la Tierra (800826-TAOS, www.elmontesagrado.com). Hotel La Fonda and Joseph’s
Table (575-758-2211 for hotel, 575-751-4512 for restaurant, www.
lafondataos.com and www.josephstable.com). Little Tree B&B (575776-8467 or 800-334-8467, www.littletreebandb.com). Momentitos
de la Vida (575-776-3333). Sabroso Restaurant and Bar (575-7763333, www.sabrosotaos.com). Salsa del Salto (575-776-2422, www.
bandbtaos.com). Taos Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau
(575-758-3873 or 800-732-8267, www.taoschamber.com). Taos
Cow (575-776-5640, www.taoscow.com). Taos Inn (575-758-2233 or
800-826-7466, www.taosinn.com). Trading Post Cafe (575-758-5089,
www.tradingpostcafe.com).
15
16
Directory and Events

http://www.twistedelement.ca
Legend
Dance Club and Lounge.
O ur Magazine Available Here---------------- ✰
Wheelchair Accessible Venue------------------
CALGARY
Bars and Clubs
3 Backlot---------------------------------- ✰
209 - 10th Ave SW
 (403) 265-5211
 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close
4 Calgary Eagle Inc.---------------------- ✰

424a - 8th Ave SE
 (403) 263-5847

http://www.calgaryeagle.com

Open Wed-Sun, 5pm-close
Leather/Denim/Fetish bar.
55 Marquee Room---------------------------- ✰

612 - 8th Avenue SW

http://www.marqueeroom.com
Alternative night every Wednesday.
9 MPs (Money Pennies)------------------ ✰

1742 - 10th Ave SW  (403) 263-7411

http://www.money-pennies.com

Closed Mondays.
Bar and restaurant.
6 Texas Lounge------------------------------ ✰

308 - 17 Ave SW
 (403) 229-0911

http://www.goliaths.ca

Open 7 days a week, 11am-close
33 Twisted Element

1006 - 11th Ave SW
 (403) 802-0230
Bathhouses/Saunas
6 Goliath’s----------------------------------- ✰

308 - 17 Ave SW
 (403) 229-0911

http://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]

http://www.aidscalgary.org
✰
Alberta Society for Kink

(403) 398-9968

[email protected]

ca.groups.yahoo.com/
group.albertasocietyforkink

Meet and Greets: Mondays, 7pm-9:30pm
Apollo Calgary Friends in Sports

http://www.apollocalgary.com
Apollo Friends In Sports is a volunteer-operated,
non-profit organization serving primarily members
of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered
communities but open to members of all
communities. We currently have more than 400
members and are growing fast! The primary focus
of Apollo is to provide our membership with well
organized and fun sporting events and other
activities to allow them to participate and interact in
a positive social framework.
• Badminton (Absolutely Smashing)

St. Martha School (6020 4th Avenue NE)

Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm
(Season has ended)
Fees Per session: $4 for Apollo member, $5 for nonmembers. Season’s pass $75.
• Bowling (Rainbow Riders League)

Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, 2916 - 5 Ave NE

(Season has ended)
• Curling

North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW)

Saturdays: 2:20pm and 4:30pm
(Season has ended)
• Golf

[email protected]
See website for details.
• Lawn Bowling

[email protected]
• Outdoor Pursuits
• Running (Calgary Frontrunners)

Coffee Junkies, 7th Street and 1st Ave SW

Tim (403) 660-6125

[email protected]

Saturdays at 9am
Distance varies. 8km-15km. Runners from 6
minute/mile to 9+ minute miles. During the
summer we attempt to have evening runs during
the week.
• Slow Pitch
• Tennis
• Volleyball (Intermediate/Competitive)

YWCA, 320 - 5th Avenue SE

www.apollocalgary.com/apollo/volleyball

(Season has ended)
This is for seasoned players. You can sign up for the
season or drop-in.
• Volleyball (Recreational)

Langevin School, 107 - 6A Street NE

www.apollocalgary.com/apollo/volleyball

(Season has ended)
All are welcome. This is for all skill levels, including
recreational players and beginners. You can sign up
for the season or drop-in.
• Yoga
Season has ended.
Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association
 www.argra.org

(403) 541-8140
• Monthly Dances-----------------------------

Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association
1320 5th Avenue NW

May 30th, Sept 27, Oct 18, Nov 15th, Dec 6th
Doors open 8pm.
$6 ARGRA Members, $10 non-members.
• Canadian Rockies International Rodeo

Strathmore, AB

June 26th-28th, 2009
Artists for the Quality of Life

(403) 890-1261
 www.afqol.com
• Fundraiser

The Texas Lounge (308B - 17th Avenue SW)
DOWNTOWN CALGARY
N
17

Friday, June 19th
Hosted by Mz Toni & Dyna Myte
uncertain or questioning their sexuality. Discussions
range from personal relationship or life issues, to
sexual health and well-being.
Cabin Fever

Calgary Eagle, 424a 8th Ave SW

3RD THURSDAY every month
Women’s dance and social night.
Calgary Gay Fathers

[email protected]

http://www.geocities.com/calgaryfathers
Peer support group for gay, bisexual and
questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month.
Calgary Men’s Chorus

http://www.calgarymenschorus.org
• Rehearsals

Old Y Centre, 223 - 12 Avenue SW

Tuesday nights, Sept-Jun, 7pm-9:30pm
• Eclipse Concert

Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary

Sat June 20th, 8:00pm
Tickets $20. To purchase, please visit website.
Calgary Sexual Health Centre--------- ✰

304, 301 14th Street NW
(403) 283-5580


http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca
Calgary Sexual Health Centre is a pro-choice
organization that believes all people have the right
and ability to make their own choices regarding
their sexual and reproductive health. Calgary
Sexual Health Centre started as a volunteer based,
grassroots organization and has been providing
comprehensive sexuality education and counselling
programs to the Calgary community since 1972.
1 Calgary Outlink---------------------------- ✰

#4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW

(403) 234-8973

http://www.calgaryoutlink.com
Formerly know as the Gay And Lesbian Community
Services Association (GLCSA).
• Peer Support and Crisis Line
Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and
their family and friends, or anyone questioning
their sexuality.
• Library
A great selection of resource books, fiction, nonfiction, videos and everything in between, all with a
queer perspective.
• Drop-In Center
A safe and supportive environment for one-to-one
peer counseling for many issues surrounding family,
coming out, homosexuality, loneliness and other
issues.
• Between Men and Between Men Online

Tuesdays 7pm-9pm
Peer support, sexual health education for gay
or bisexual men, as well as those who may be
• Calgary Networking Club

Ming, 520 - 17th Ave SW

First Tuesday of every month, 5pm-7pm
The networking meetings are open to all individuals
who would like to promote their businesses or
who would like to meet new people - no business
affiliation is necessary.
• Heading Out

2nd and 4th Friday of every month, 7pm-9pm
Peer group for men who are looking for an
alternative social activity to the bar. Activities vary
and are fun and entertaining.
• Illusions Calgary
Social group for Calgary and area transgender
community members (cross dressers, transvestites,
drag kings and queens). Illusions provides a safe,
discrete and welcoming atmosphere, in which
transgendered people can meet others of like mind.
Illusions offers discretion, acceptance, compassion
and a safe place to express your gender. Crossdressing is the purpose of the group, but is not
mandatory.
• Inside Out

Every Monday, 7pm-9pm
Peer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ ages 15-25.
The group aims to let youth know they are not
alone, and to connect them with their peers. It is
a funky and safe environment with a variety of
resources and activities.
• New Directions

Every 3rd Friday of the month, 7pm-9pm
Drop in peer-support group to provide support and
resources for individuals who identify as transsexual
or inter-sexed. If you are transsexual, or know
of someone who is, please contact our office for
information and assistance. You are not alone!
There is support!
• SHEQ Soulful Healing Ego Quest

Trudy or Krista, (403) 585-7437

Runs for a ten week period on Thursdays, 7pm
A workshop for women that want to be themselves
in a supportive, safe environment. It is a chance
to grow and share their experiences related to
women’s sexuality. To participate, please call the
exclusive SHEQ line or leave your name and a
contact time/number with Calgary Outlink.
• Womynspace

Every first and third Friday, 7pm-9pm
Peer social/support group for women providing an
evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities.
Calgary Queer Book Club

Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)
First meeting. Look us up on Facebook.
Looking for Something?
Browse over 450 listings in our Online GLBT Business Directory, and our
complete Online GLBT Community Events Calendar.
www.gaycalgary.com
18
Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre

77 Deerpoint Road SE  (403) 278-8263

http://www.dpuc.ca

Worship Time - 10am Sundays
Different Strokes

http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org
• Swim Practice

SAIT Pool, 1301 - 16th Ave NW

Sundays and Thursdays, 6-7pm
Different Strokes Calgary accommodates both
recreational and competitive swimmers. Coaching
is offered to assist with technique and fitness
development. After swim practice is a nice cool
down in the hot tub where announcements will be
made. Usually team members will go for dinner
after practice and everyone is welcome.
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

#4 - 1230A 17th Avenue SW

(403) 244-1956

[email protected]

http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com
Knox United Church

506 - 4th Street SW  (403) 269-8382

http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca
Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church
located in downtown Calgary. A variety of facility
rentals are also available for meetings, events and
concerts.
• Worship Services

Wednesdays - Communion Service 12:10pm.
Sundays - 11am. September to June.
Sundays - 10:30am in July and August.
Miscellaneous Youth Network

http://www.miscyouth.com
• Fake Mustache------------------------------ 
The Soda, 211 - 12th Ave SW

First Thursday of every month
Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. $5 cover. $2
cover under 18. Advance tickets available at Barbies
Shop. All Ages show starts at 7:30. 18+ show
starts at 10:15.
• Laramie Project

Engineered Air Theatre, EPCOR Centre
205 - 8 Avenue SE

May 14th - 16th, 8:30pm
Mystique

[email protected]
Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.
Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30
and up but all are welcome.
• DVD Resource Library
Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual
membership is $10.
• Coffee Night

Second Cup (2312 - 4th Street SW)

May 2nd, 7:30pm-10ish.
• Monthly Screenings

The Plaza Theatre, Kensington

• Annual Film Festival

May 28th - June 6th, 2009
Girl Friends

members.shaw.ca/girlfriends
Girlsgroove

http://www.girlsgroove.ca
HIV Peer Support Group

(403) 230-5832

[email protected]
ISCCA Social Association

http://www.iscca.ca
Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch.
• Investitures

Calgary Eagle

Sun May 17th, 7:45pm
• Shooters at Texas Lounge

Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8pm-11:30pm
• Shooters at the Backlot

• Shooters at the Calgary Eagle

May 2nd, May 16th
• Drag Show at the Calgary Eagle

May 18th
All monies raised go to Charity: Agape Manor,
Beswick House, HIV Peer Support, Artists for Quality
of Life, Children’s Wish Foundation
NETWORKS

(403) 293-3356

[email protected]
A social, cultural, and service organization for
the mature minded and “Plus 40” gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgendered individuals seeking to
meet with others at age-appropriate activities within
apositive, safe, non-threatening and nurturing
environment.
• Sunday Brunch

Steak House and Bar (contact for address)

Sun May 31st, 10am-1pm
Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

Sean: (403) 695-5791

http://www.pflagcanada.ca
PFLAG Canada is 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

[email protected]

http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace
The Positive Space Committee at Mount Royal
College works to raise awareness and challenge
the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize
lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered, two-spirited
and queer (LGBTTQ) individuals.
Pride Calgary Planning Committee
 www.pridecalgary.ca

(403) 262-3410
• Pride 2009 - Dance

Sat September 5th
• Pride 2009 - Parade and Street Gala

Sunday September 6th
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.
Primetimers Calgary

[email protected]

http://www.primetimerscalgary.com
Prime Timers Calgary is designed to foster social
interaction for its members through a variety of
social, educational and recreational activities. It is
open to all gay and bisexual men of any age and
respects whatever degree of anonymity that each
member desires.
• Free Pool at the Calgary Eagle

Every Wednesday
• Saturday Coffee

Midtown Co-op, 1130 - 11th Ave SW

Every Saturday, 10am
• Monthly Gathering at MoneyPennies

Please check the website.
• Pumphouse Theatre Night

Ticket office: (403) 263-0079

May 12th - Murder at Rillington Place

May 16th - Grease
• Card Night

Harvey and Tony’s

May 21st
 (403) 547-9129
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.

Every Tuesday, 7pm.
Rainbow Community Church

Hillhurst United, 1227 Kensington Close NW

[email protected]

http://www.rainbowcommunitychurch.ca

Services: every Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm
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

Sunday Worship: 10:30am
Scarboro United Church is a caring community
for risk-takers, adventurers, and explorers in
contemporary Christian living. Scarboro is an
affirming congregation, which means that the full
inclusion of LGBT people is essential to our mission
and purpose. Scarboro United Church welcomes
all to our spiritually enriching Sunday Service at
10:30am. Afterwards, all are welcome to join us
in fellowship downstairs over coffee, tea, juice, and
home-baked treats.
Open 7 days a week and holidays
Organic teas and tea ware.
Mortgage solutions.
• Sunday Worship in July

St. Matthews United Church (2039 26A St SW)

(403) 249-1721  [email protected]

Through July 2009, 10:30am
16 Priape Calgary------------------------- ✰

1322 - 17 Ave SW
 (403) 215-1800

http://www.priape.com
56 Sacred Balance Piercing

1528 - 17th Avenue SW  (403) 277-4449

www.sacredbalancetattoo.com
Sharp Foundation

(403) 272-2912

[email protected]

http://www.thesharpfoundation.com
Western Canada Bigmen and Admirers

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.
“Yeah... What She Said!” Radio Show

CJSW 90.9 FM

[email protected]

Every Monday evening, 8:30-9pm
The Naked Leaf---------------------------

305 10th Street NW
 (403) 283-3555

http://www.thenakedleaf.ca
Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear,
movies and magazines. Gifts.
Services
57 BRAZILya

#3, 1114 - 11th Street SW

(403) 457-2955

www.brazilyalaser.com
Calgary Civil Marriage Centre
 [email protected]
Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of
the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner
for Oaths.
 (403) 246-4134
24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors)

1138 Kensington Road NW

(403) 571-5120

http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca
GLBT legal services.
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
Restaurants
Cuts, Colour, Hilights.
4 Calgary Eagle Inc.---------------------See Calgary - Bars and Clubs.
✰
9 MPs (Money Pennies)------------------
✰
See Calgary - Bars and Clubs.
Retail Stores
51 A Little More Interesting------------------ ✰

1501B, 17th Avenue SW  (403) 475-7775

http://wwww.alittlemoreinteresting.com
Adult Depot----------------------------- ✰
 (403) 258-2777
Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.

140, 58th Ave SW 48 Barbies Shop--------------------------- ✰

1313 16th Avenue SW  (403) 262-8265

http://www.barbiesshop.com
✰

214, 2066 18th Ave NE  (403) 250-7004

4829 Macleod Tr. SW  (403) 243-5251

1-866-411-BONG
Erotic Xxes Boutique--------------------
Florist and Flower Shop.
Wares & Wear Ventures Inc.
See Canada - Retail Stores.
Urban Sex Radio Show

CJSW 90.9 FM

http://www.cjsw.com

Every Wednesday from 9-10pm
Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans
gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and
around the web.
Bongs and Such------------------------
41 La Fleur------------------------------------

103 - 100 7th Avenue SW
 (403) 266-1707
✰

4823 Macleod Trail SW  (403) 243-4196

http://www.eroticxxesboutique.ca
Duncan’s Residential Cleaning
 Jim Duncan: (403) 978-6600
Residential cleaning. Free estimates.
Jeff LeBlanc, Century 21

#1, 4600 Crowchild Trail NW

Cell: (403) 542-6926

Pager: (403) 509-2121

Fax: (403) 509-2130

[email protected]

www.homesweethometeam.ca
Keith Hill, North Hill Mazda

1211 Centre Street NW

Cell: (403) 614-7359

Phone: (403) 276-5962

Fax: (403) 276-7361

[email protected]

www.northhillmazda.com
Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors)

(403) 461-9195

http://www.lornedoucette.com
Marnie Campbell (Maxwell Realtors)

(403) 479-8619

http://www.marniecampbell.ca
MFM Communications

(403) 543-6970

1-877-543-6970

http://www.mfmcommunications.com
Web site hosting and development. Computer
hardware and software.
Rick Grenier (Invis)

(403) 862-1162
Tattos and body piercing.
SafeWorks
Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing.
• Calgary Drop-in Centre

Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE

(403) 699-8216

Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm
• 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
Sandra G. Sebree, Lawyer

1610 - 17th Ave SW

(403) 228-8108

www.sandrasebree.com
TherapyWorks

(403) 561-6873

[email protected]

http://www.therapyworks.com
Take back your life from stress, sadness, and worry.
Theatre and Fine Arts
36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects

(403) 294-7402  http://www.ATPlive.com
AXIS Contemporary Art------------------- (403) 262-3356
 www.axisart.ca

107, 100 - 7 Ave SW

[email protected]
Fairytales
See Calgary - Community Groups.
43 Lisa Heinricks (Artist)---------------------

Art Central, 100 7th Ave SW, lower level

http://www.creamydreamy.com
35 One Yellow Rabbit-------------------------

Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE

(403) 299-8888
 www.oyr.org
37 Pumphouse Theatre------------------

2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW

(403) 263-0079

http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca
✰
Stagewest-------------------------------
✰

727 - 42 Avenue SE  (403) 243-6642

http://www.stagewestcalgary.com
58 Theatre Junction----------------------- ✰

Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW

(403) 205-2922
19
DOWNTOWN EDMONTON
N

[email protected]

http://www.theatrejunction.com
34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------------------

161, 115 - 9 Ave SE  (403) 221-3708

http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com
EDMONTON
Bars and Clubs
5 Boots Bar and Lounge----------------- ✰

10242 106th St
 (780) 423-5014

http://www.bootsbar.ca/
6 Buddy’s Nite Club------------------------- ✰

11725 Jasper Ave
 (780) 488-6636
Community Groups
BEEF Bear Bash

Boots Bar and Lounge

www.bearbeef.org
Bar night for hairy men and admirers.
Book Worm’s Book Club

Second Cup, 11210 Jasper Ave

[email protected]

May 20, 7:30pm
“The Front Runner” by Patricia Nell Warren.
Buck Naked Boys Club

(780) 471-6993

http://www.bucknakedboys.ca

2nd Saturday of every month
8 Prism Bar & Grill---------------------- ✰

10524 101st St
 (780) 990-0038

http://www.prismbar.ca
Naturism club for men. Our club has been meeting
continuously for over 10 years. The similar club in
Calgary ceased to exist several years ago. Naturism
is being social while everyone is naked, and it does
not include sexual activity. Therefore participants
do not need to be gay, only male, but almost all
participants over the years do self-describe as being
gay or bisexual.
12 Woody’s------------------------------------ ✰

11725 Jasper Ave
 (780) 488-6557

7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies
13 PLAY Nightclub---------------------------- ✰

10220 103 Street
 (780) 497-7529

[email protected]

http://www.playnightclub.ca
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
20
Camp fYrefly
Faculty of Education, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5

http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca
Edmonton Pride Week Society

http://www.prideedmonton.org
• Pride Week 2009 - Age of Aqueerius

June 12 to 21, 2009
Edmonton Prime Timers

[email protected]

www.primetimersww.org/edmonton
EPT is a group of older gay men and their admirers
who come from diverse backgrounds but have
common social interests. Meetings include a social
period, a short business meeting and then either
a guest speaker, discussion panel, or a potluck
supper. Special interest groups meet for other social
activities throughout the month. In July and August
we have a BBQ or picnic in lieu of a meeting and in
December it’s replaced with a Christmas party. EPT
is affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide.
4 Edmonton STD

11111 Jasper Ave
• Monthly Meetings

Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street

2nd Sunday of most months, 2:30pm
May 10th: Presentation by HIV Edmonton
June 14th: Bingo
July 11th-13th: BBQ and/or Campout at Pine Trails

http://www.gayedmonton.org
Edmonton Rainbow Business Association

3379, 11215 Jasper Ave  (780) 429-5014

http://www.edmontonrba.org
ERBA’s primary focus is the provision of networking
opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered (GLBT) owned or operated and
GLBT-friendly businesses in the Edmonton region.
Membership is open to all kinds of entrepreneurs,
from tradespeople to professionals to commission
salespeople.
• After Business Mixers

Garage Burger Bar (10244 - 106th St.)

2nd Wednesday every month 5:30–7:30pm
Edmonton Illusions Social Club

Boots Bar & Grill

(780) 387-3343

groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions

2nd Thursday of each month
Edmonton Vocal Minority

(780) 479-2038
 www.evmchoir.com
Exposure 2009

Nov 13th- 22nd, 2009
3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰
11456 Jasper Ave  www.hivedmonton.com
Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose
• “SPRING” White Party

Boots Bar & Lounge

Sat May 9th, 10pm
• 007 - Boys Night Out

Woody’s Pub

Fri May 15th, 8pm
• General Meeting

Tues, May 19th, 8pm-10pm
• Dinner with the Imperial House

Boots Bar & Lounge

Sat May 23rd, 6pm-8pm
All you can eat pierogi dinner, $10/person.
• Amateur Drag King Contest

Prism Bar and Grill

Sat May 30th, 10pm
• Meet and Greet

PLAY Nightclub

Sat June 6th, 10pm-2am
• Mr./Mz/Ms Gay Games Night

Woody’s Pub

Thur June 11th, 8pm-2am
• Princess Pride Show


Sun June 14th, 9pm-12am
allied (GLBTQQ&A) youth under 25.
• Mr./Mz/Ms Gay Karaoke

Prism Bar & Grill

Wed June 17, 8pm-10pm
• Youth Yoga

Alex Taylor School Gym (9321 Jasper Ave)

Every 1st Thursday, 4:30pm
• Written in the Stars


Friday, June 19th, 8pm
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.
• Mr./Mz/Ms Gay Pageant


Fri June 19, 8pm-12pm
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.
1 Pride Centre of Edmonton------------ ✰

95A Street, 111 Ave  (780) 488-3234
• Open House

Sat May 9th, 2pm-5pm
• Bears Movie Night

TV room, Pride Centre of Edmonton

Last Sunday of the month, 1-6pm
• Get Tested for STIs

Last Thurs of Month, 3pm - 6pm
• GLBT Seniors Drop-In

Every Tuesday & Thursday, 1-4pm
Program serving our GLBT seniors. Hosted by Jeff
Bovee.
• Trans Education/Support Group

1st & 3rd Sundays of each month, 2-4pm
Support and education for all transsexual,
transgendered, intersexed, two-spirited and
questioning individuals.
• Men’s Discussion Group

[email protected]

Every Sunday, 7pm
Mens social and discussion group.
• Men’s HIV Support Group

2nd Monday of the month, 7-9pm
• Prime Timers
See Edmonton Primetimers.
• Queer Youth Sport & Recreation night

Alex Taylor School Gym, 9321 Jasper Ave
Brendan, (780) 488-3234

[email protected]

First Tuesday of every month, 4:30pm
• Suit Up and Show Up Group

Every Saturday, 12 noon
Big Book Study of Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Sick and tired of being sick and tired?

Every Thursday, 7pm-8pm
Escape Cocaine.
• YouthSpace

[email protected]

Tuesday to Friday, 3pm-7pm
Saturday 2pm-7pm
An after-school drop-in program for gay, lesbian,
bisexual, trans-identified, queer, questioning and
• Youth Understanding Youth
See separate listing.
• Ab Blast Class

11113 113 Street NW

[email protected]

May 6, 13, 20, 27
5:30pm-6:30pm, 6:30pm-7:30pm
• Badminton

Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street

[email protected]

Wednesdays, 6pm-7:30pm
Season starts March 8th
Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton.
•Ballroom Dancing

Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW

Cynthia: (780) 469-3281

Sundays, 7:30-8:30pm
April 19th-June 21st
Beginner Ballroom program is designed for people
who have no previous dance instruction and have
the desire to gain confidence on the social dance
floor. *Students may take level 2 upon completion
of the beginner course. *All gender combinations of
dancers are welcome. *Partners are not required.
$149.00 +GST / 10 weeks. Call to register.
• Gymnastics, Drop-in

Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue

[email protected]

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8pm-10pm
Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor
to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is
$5.00 per session.
• Outdoor Pursuits

Sat, May 30th

[email protected]
Paintball! Please contact to sign up.
• Running (Arctic Frontrunners)

Emily Murphy Park, meet at West End

[email protected]

Every Sunday, 10am-11am
All genders and levels of runners and walkers are
invited to join this free activity.
• Swimming (Making Waves)

NAIT Swimming Pool

[email protected]

Every Tuesday, 8am-9pm
Every Thursday, 7:30pm-8:30pm
The final day of swimming this season is May 14th.
• Roller Derby (Practices)

[email protected]

Mondays & Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm
E-Ville Roller Derby is a community-wise sports
initiative for adult females. Their purpose is for fun,
friendly sports competition among like-minded
women. You need no prior experience in roller
derby. They’ll teach you everything you need to
know, including how to skate!
• Samsara Yoga

Korezone Fitness, #203, 10575 -115 Street

[email protected]

Every Sunday, 2pm-3:30pm
• Slo Pitch

Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave

[email protected]

Wednesdays, 7pm. Season resumes May 6th.
Season fee is $30.00 per person.
• Soccer

[email protected]
• Tennis

[email protected]
• Volleyball, Free To Be Intermediate

Kinsmen Sports Centre, next to Tennis courts

[email protected]

Thursday nights from 8pm-10pm
Outdoor grass season resumes June 14th
• Volleyball, Free To Be Recreational

Mother Teresa School, 9008 - 105A Ave

[email protected]
Indoor season has concluded.
• Women’s Lacrosse

Sharon: 780-461-0017

Pam: 780-436-7374
Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are
welcome. Call for info.
• Blazin’ Bootcamp

Lynnwood Elementary School, 15451- 84 Ave

[email protected]

Every Mon + Thurs, 7pm-8:15pm
Starting May 4th
• Bowling (Northern Titans)

Gateway Lanes, 100 - 3414 Gateway Blvd

[email protected]

Every Saturday, 5pm-7pm
Resumes Saturday January 3rd
$15.00 per person.
• Cross-Country Skiing

Gold Bar Park

Saturday January 10th, 1pm
• Curling with Pride

Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW

(780) 463-5942

[email protected]

• Cycling

Various locations in Edmonton

[email protected]

Every Wednesday, 6:30pm
• Dragon Boat

[email protected]
We are exploring the option of setting up a dragon
boat team for 2009. Please send your name and
contact information.
21
• Book Club

Monthly, contact us for exact dates.
Womonspace

(780) 482-1794

[email protected]

www.womonspace.ca
Women’s social group, but all welcome at events.
• Pride Dance

Hellenic Canadian Community Hall
10450 - 116 Street

Sat June 13th, 9pm-2am
Members: $15, Non-Members: $20.
BANFF/CANMORE
Youth Understanding Youth

[email protected]  www.members.shaw.ca/yuy

Every Saturday, 7pm-9pm
Youth support and social group.
• 3rd Annual Queer Prom

Citadel Theater

Sat, Jun 6th, 7:00pm
“Paint the Town Red”
Mountain Pride

Brian, (403) 431-2569

[email protected]

www.gaybanff.com
• Coffee Night

The Hub, 302 Buffalo Street

Every 4th Tuesday, 7pm-10pm
• Queer Cinema Night

The Hub, 302 Buffalo Street

Every 2nd Monday, 8pm-11pm
Restaurants
5 Garage Burger Bar & Grill---------------

10242 106th St
 (780) 423-5014
✰
See Edmonton - Bars and Clubs.
Retail Stores
Rodéo Drive

11528 - 89th Street

(780) 474-0413

[email protected]

http://www.rodeodrive.ca
His and hers fetish wear, toys, jewelry, etc.
The Travelling Tickle Trunk

9923 - 82 Avenue

(780) 469-6669

www.travelingtickletrunk.com
Sex-positive adult toy store.
See Canada - Retail Stores.
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!
Community Groups
Serving the GLBTQS community in Banff, Canmore,
Lake Louise and Area.
• Sports and Recreation

Pride Centre, 9540 - 111 Ave

Brendan: (780) 488-3234

[email protected]

1st Thursday, meet at 4:00pm
8 Prism Bar & Grill----------------------
Exposure Festival

http://www.exposurefestival.ca
Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival.
• Calgary Pride Roadtrip

TBA
LETHBRIDGE
Community Groups
GALA/LA

(403) 308-2893

www.newgaylethbridge.ca
Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area.
• Monthly Dances

Airforce Veterans Hall, 517 - 5 Ave S

2nd or 3rd Saturday every month, 9pm-2am
May 23rd
Bring your membership card and photo ID.
• Monthly Potluck Dinners

McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S

3rd or Last Sat. every month, 5:30pm-8pm
May 31st
Members/family/friends, and children are all
welcome to attend. Please bring dish that will serve
4-6 people and own beverage (no-alcohol). Plates,
utensils, and coffee provided.
• Support Line

(403) 308-2893

Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm
Leave a message any other time.
• Parents & Friends for Lesbians & Gays
Call us for information.
• Gay Youth Alliance Group

Betty, (403) 381-5260  [email protected]

Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm
• Soul OUTing

Second Sunday every month, 7pm
An LGBT-focused alternative worship.
• Friday Mixer

The Mix (green water tower)
103 Mayor Magrath Dr S

Every Friday at 10pm
• Film Night

Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates.
• Movie Night

Room C610, University of Lethbridge
22

Thurs, Mar 26th, 6:30pm
Movie called “Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr.
Evelyn Hooker”.
Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA)

University of Lethbridge  [email protected]
GBLTTQQ club on campus.
• Movie Night

TBA

Mon May 11th, 7pm-10pm
A dedication to Queer TV.
RED DEER
Community Groups
Affirm

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!
ALBERTA
Community Groups
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
July 31st - Aug 3rd


www.eventmasterinc.net
• Bingo

Boots, Edmonton

Mon May 11th, 6pm-10pm
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.
Alberta Ballet

http://www.albertaballet.com
Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton.
CANADA
Community Groups
Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group

http://www.albertatrans.org
A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of
where they may be on the continuum.
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.
Retail Stores
 www.wwlatex.com
Fetish wear and toys.

(780) 980-1977
Services
ATM Service Solutions

1-866-640-8830

[email protected]

http://www.minibanks.net
Squirt

http://www.squirt.org
Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY!
Broadway Across Canada

http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca
OUTtv

http://www.outtv.ca
GLBT Television Station.
Add Your Listing!
Find out how to have your business listed in our
monthly magazine directory:

(403) 543-6960  1-888-543-6960

[email protected].
Add your listing to our online directory for free:

http://www.gaycalgary.com
GayCalgary endeavors to keep our directory and
events information accurate and up to date. If
you notice anything incorrect or out of date,
please contact us.
Non-profit groups receive free listings.
Politics
The Delisting of Hope
By Stephen Lock
The controversy over the Stelmach government’s delisting of Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) is fraught
with what certainly appears to be “political” motivations and most certainly with, to be charitable, numerous misunderstandings of exactly what the procedure
means and what transsexuality is.
That we, as a province, need to trim some fat off various budgets
is a given. Once again, we are in a recession following an overly-inflated boom and, like the last time, we suddenly find the bottom has
dropped out from under us.
But the fact that those we elected to manage our provincial affairs
and tax monies did not learn anything from the last go-round, and
got suckered punch by this recession with little or no contingency in
place is, quite bluntly, incredible.
Booms are followed by busts and while the previous boom didn’t
last long, it was inevitable a recession was going to hit. The provincial government should have understood that. That they appeared to
not have understood that, let alone neglected to take steps to shore
up such safety nets as social assistance, medical care, housing, etc.,
suggests rather strongly what their level of competence is; and it
doesn’t look good.
Be that as it may, to delist GRS in order to save a paltry $700,000
(and it is paltry when we are looking at a deficit of $4.7 billion) is
unconscionable. To even put the discussion in terms of dollar and
cents is unconscionable.
Yes, I realize when one is dealing with budgetary concerns it
comes down to dollars. Having sat on numerous boards over the
years, I understand the headaches of dealing with budgets, trying
to be responsible and cutting unnecessary expenditures, or at least
expendable ones. That transsexuals are seen as “expendable” is
disturbing.
There also seems to be an ignorance on the part of “average
Albertans” when it comes to this issue. The letters to the editor in
both of Calgary’s major newspapers, and no doubt in other newspapers throughout the province, are full of misdirected calls for those
seeking GRS to save up some money and fund the procedure(s)
themselves. Tell me, who in this current economic climate can
realistically save the tens of thousands of dollars the surgery costs?
It’s not like your average transperson is a CEO of a major company,
or pulling down a fat paycheque (though they could be if such ignorance wasn’t so prevalent to begin with).
Plus, many of the subsidiary procedures are not covered by
Alberta Health, such as surgery to “feminize” the face, larnyx shaving
to increase the pitch of the voice, electrolysis, and breast implants
for Male-to-Female (MtF) transsexuals or masectomies for Female-toMale (FtM), and hormone treatments. Only the actual reassignment
surgery, commonly referred to as “bottom surgery”, is covered, so the
individual already must pay for these procedures.
The actual genital surgery is done in Montreal, necessitating
travel and related expenses while one recovers from the complex and
highly invasive surgery. Alberta Health only covered the costs of the
actual surgery and recovery.
Many transfolk are forced to constantly carry
documentation indicating their transsexual status
or their transitioning status, such as a doctor’s or
psychologist’s letter. So much for just blending in
and getting on with one’s life.
Such surgery, be it “only” the genital aspect or the whole spectrum, is hardly what any reasonable individual upon reflection would
consider “elective” or “merely cosmetic.”
Certainly, to suggest transfolk “choose” to become the opposite
gender and therefore should pick up the costs themselves is naive at
best and cruel and willfully ignorant at worst.
Transsexuality is a recognized medical condition and the treatment is surgery to bring the physical body in line with the actual
gender identity of the individual. If one were to make an analogy
- and I hesitate to do so for fear of further trivializing the issue - for
many MtF transfolk the presence of a male appendage is like having
some sort of major tumor on their body that impacts all aspects of
their lives.
They may look, act, dress and, for all intents and purposes, be female but as long as they possess the genitalia which, in our culture,
defines them as male, there is a profound and ongoing disconnect
occurring in their lives and psyches. Ditto for FtM transsexuals.
There are also some legal issues involved. If one presents as
one gender yet all one’s documentation is issued under another, it
creates a myriad of roadblocks to successful daily living. You get
pulled over for a simple traffic violation and the officer asks to see
your driver’s license. Your license indicates you are the opposite sex.
Your average cop is not that well-versed in gender politics so, as far
as the officer is concerned, you’re “in drag” and immediately suspect.
And say you want to travel to the States. It doesn’t take much to
get an inkling of the hoops one would have to go through, to get the
appropriate documentation (passport, travel visas, etc.) when your
birth certificate lists you as the opposite gender.
Many transfolk are forced to constantly carry documentation indicating their transsexual status or their transitioning status, such as
a doctor’s or psychologist’s letter. So much for just blending in and
getting on with one’s life.
In some jurisdictions, you cannot get your birth certificate
altered to reflect who you are now. As far as the powers that be are
concerned, it doesn’t matter what gender you are supposed to be,
Continued on Page 33 
23
Political Humour
Creep of the Week
National Organization for Marriage
By D’Anne Witkowski
It’s no secret that anti-gay right wingers are obsessed with sex. No doubt folks like Tony Perkins,
Don Wildmon and Maggie Gallagher think about
your sex life more than you do (and yet gays are
supposedly the sex obsessed perverts).
So when the National Organization for Marriage nicknamed
their new Two Million for Marriage initiative “2M4M,” they
received plenty of ribbing for being so outside of the gay sex
lingo loop.
As MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow said, “If you don’t know what
the abbreviation M4M stands for, I do not want to spoil your
Googling fun, but here’s a hint: The related search that Google
suggests is for the Web site Manhunt.”
In other words, don’t Google M4M at work unless you’re selfemployed or work for, say, a self-righteous anti-gay marriage
organization.
Even better than the initiative’s name, however, is the commercial NOM produced to spread the word. Dubbed “A Gathering Storm,” the made-to-be-parodied ad features actors (and I
use that term loosely) expressing their fear about gay marriage
whilst standing amidst lightning and thunder clouds in what
I guess is supposed to be what heaven will look like once gays
can legally wed all across this nation.
New York Times columnist Frank Rich described the ad as
what would happen “if you crossed that creepy 1960s horror
classic ‘The Village of the Damned’ with the Broadway staple ‘A
Chorus Line.’”
Stephen Colbert said, “I love that ad. It is like watching The
700 Club and the Weather Channel at the same time.”
The ad opens with a blonde woman saying, “There’s a storm
gathering” then cuts to some guy saying “The clouds are dark
and the winds are strong.” A woman who bears a striking resemblance to Ugly Betty says, “And I am afraid.”
After parading the multi-ethnic cast of scaredy cats before
us, the ad starts presenting real folks who’ve been discriminated against. The thing is, they aren’t real folks, and the discrimination they detail is just hypothetical. There’s a tiny, tiny
disclaimer in the ad, but clearly folks are supposed to watch
the dumpy woman in the dark pantsuit say, “I’m a California
doctor who must choose between my faith and my job,” and
take it as fact.
The ad has inspired countless parodies on YouTube, including a mash-up with the video for “It’s Raining Men.”
The best one, however, comes from faux-newscaster Stephen
Colbert. Using a cast of various ethnicities rotating from line to
line and a strikingly similar set, it’s far better than the original.
“There’s a storm gathering,” it begins. “A giant gay storm. With
rough winds blowing in from the east. And even rougher winds
blowing from the west. Before long, the winds will be blowing
each other.”
24
Granted, the ad campaign gets more attention every time
someone makes fun of it, but I don’t think the increased exposure of NOM’s original ad will do them much good.
Rich claims that the ad marks “a historic turning point in
the demise of America’s anti-gay movement.”
“What gives the ad its symbolic significance,” Rich writes, “is
not just that it’s idiotic, but that its release was the only loud
protest anywhere in America to the news that same-sex marriage had been legalized in Iowa and Vermont. If it advances
any message, it’s mainly that homophobic activism is ever
more depopulated and isolated as well as brain-dead.”
For the first time in history, my friends, it’s going to start
raining M4M.
D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance
writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the
world she reviews rock and roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister and
teaches writing at the University of Michigan.
Astrology
Q Scopes
“You need down time, Gemini!”
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You
By Jack Fertig
The Sun in Taurus leads us to sensuality and stubbornness. The latter is being shot to hell by aspects
from Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. Find ways in
which flexibility and innovation can honor your core
values.

ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Worrying about
money can become a downward spiral. Deal with problems
proactively. Friends can offer good advice, but take it with
a grain of salt. Even a modest donation to charity will
boost your financial karma.
birthday cheer to promote yourself. Your friends are eager
to help you, although you and they probably have very
different ideas of what kind of help is best. Their surprises
really are better than your plans.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You need down
time, but can’t escape the demands of the world. However
you balance your needs and others’ will be much observed.
Take some quiet time and perform your duties cheerfully.
some friends can lead to confusion about how deep and
close those friendships really are. It can be tempting to
brush any misunderstanding and embarrassment under
the rug, but talking it out really is better.

family that plays together … Seriously a little fun and
games would help to alleviate troubles at home. The shift
of mood would at least help everyone see problems in a
light more conducive to solutions.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December
20): You have a lot to say to your colleagues, but
remember to listen at least as much. Even if they don’t
seem quite logical, you can learn a lot. Look at work
problems as community issues, and keep an open mind.
LEO (July 23 - August 22): As eager as you are to
strut your stuff, some things are better kept stuffed away.
People trusted with your secrets will blurt things out, even
if they mean well. It could work to your favor. Be nice and
keep a sense of humor about it.

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Wanting
to do things your way is likely to cause arguments.
Suggestions from others may sound wacky, but at least be
polite enough to listen. Outré as they may be, there may
be a seed of brilliance to inspire helpful new ideas.

CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19):
A new look at your investments, whether of money or
energy and attention, can raise surprising issues. For
better insight, talk it over with a sibling – or someone close
enough to feel like one.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Mixed signals with

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): The

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Take advantage of


could lose your balance in an explosion of passion. Stay
mindful of previous commitments, especially to your
health (and your partner’s!). Keep proper prophylaxis
handy. If you’re trying new techniques, be very sure of
safety considerations.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18):
Money isn’t the real problem at home, but may point to a
solution. The real problem is your own uncertainty about
who you are and how you fit in. Basic values learned in
childhood could be either building blocks or stumbling
blocks.

PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Meditation
should help calm your worries, but it doesn’t always work
that way. What you really need is to break out of a rut. Go
shopping with a “sister” and let him or her pick things out
to at least try out a new look.
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
25
Event
Leather Pride Weekend
Priape and Calgary Eagle Bring Major Fetish Event to Calgary
By Rob Diaz-Marino
The movement of Calgary Pride to September has
left a weekend open in early June that, this year, the
Alberta Leather Scene has claimed as their own.
“In past years, part of Pride Weekend was a Military Ball at
the Eagle and there’s never really been a Leather Pride weekend
in this city, and we thought people are looking for something to
do that weekend,” says Jim Heaton, Manager of Priape Calgary
which is behind the event
in cooperation with the
Calgary Eagle.
So certainly mark off
Friday June 5th and
Saturday June 6th as an
eventful weekend of fetish
and fantasy. Friday night
will be a meet and greet
for the leather contestants,
and a fetish auction to raise
money for the travel funds
of the contest winners,
alongside the main fare of
the Mr. Rubber Calgary
competition.
“For the judges we have
all the international title
holders. We invited Christine Baker to be a judge
as well. Boy Alex from
Toronto is coming out for
the weekend and will also
be a judge.”
Mr. Rubber, and Mr.
LeatherSir/Leatherboy competition winners receive around
$1000 worth of fetish clothing from InSeam, Priape Leather,
and Nasty Pig; but also win the honor of representing Western
Canada in International competitions. While LeatherSir and
Leatherboy contestants will compete separately for their titles
here in Calgary, they will function as a duo in the International
contest.
“It’s a contest for people
who are rubber enthusiasts, or latex enthusiasts…
where they are judged on
their originality, gear, stage
presence, and a private
interview they have with the judges,” explains Heaton.
Saturday promises to be equally lively, starting with a
Leather Flea Market in the afternoon. “We’re inviting people to
bring down their slightly used or worn gear – things that don’t
fit them anymore or that they don’t have an interest in wearing any more. Because there are a lot of people out there who
can’t afford $300 to $400 for a pair of leather pants, but might
be able to afford $70 or $80
for a slightly used pair.”
In the evening will be the
Western Canada LeatherSir
and Leatherboy contest,
which Heaton tells us, will
be centered on a locker
room theme for fantasy
performances. This promises to be dangerously sexy!
This weekend is nothing
to scoff at, with the promise
of 4 international title
holders coming out, and as
such Heaton expects this
will be quite a draw for the
Alberta leather community.
On the celebrity roster are
26
International LeatherSir,
Raul Mendez; International
Leatherboy, Bill Hoeppner;
International Community Bootblack, Black-Jack
Pearce; International Mr.
Rubber, Stéphane Donaldson; and Mr. Leather
Toronto, Matt Pavelich.
Proceeds from the fetish auction, and a percentage of sales
from the Leather Flea Market go toward the travel fund for
contestants, to ensure that the costs are covered for them to
represent our region.
Heaton says contest winners can also represent and rally
the leather/fetish community locally. “There’s hope that they’ll
help out at fetish weekends…make sure that they support the
events locally. Help with ticket sales, door prizing, things like
that.”
Those wishing to compete in either competition are asked to
sign up either in person at the Calgary Eagle or Priape Store, or
online at the Priape website (details below).
You don’t have to be part of the scene to come out and enjoy
these events. The Leather Pride Weekend will be a great opportunity to see what the leather/fetish community is about,
mingle with some interesting people, and even score some gear
of your own.
Mr. Rubber Calgary 2010
 Fri, June 5th, 2009 at 10pm
 At the Calgary Eagle
 www.priape.com/MRC2010
Western Canada LeatherSir and Leatherboy
 Sat, June 6th, 2009 at 10pm
 At the Calgary Eagle
 www.priape.com/WLSLB2009
Theatre Preview
Laramie Project
Misc Youth Network and AIDS Calgary Remember Matthew Shepard
By Dallas Barnes
Matthew Shepard would have been 33 this year.
Instead, the 21 year-old University of Wyoming
student who happened to be gay, is only a memory,
a victim of a hate crime felt throughout the world.
Calgary’s own Miscellaneous Youth Network and
AIDS Calgary are allowing Calgarians to be a part of
the legacy of Matthew Shepard with the presentation
of Laramie Project.
The production is about the reaction to the 1998 murder
of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. Created by Moises Kaufman and his Tectonic Theatre Company “[it] draws on
hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company with
townspeople, company members own journal entries, and published news reports.”
For James Demers, member of the Miscellaneous Youth
Network and the individual responsible for the inception of the
Laramie Project in Calgary, the story of Matthew Shepard was one
he couldn’t get out of his head. Not one to finish a book, 11 year
old James read Beth Loffreda’s Losing Matt Shepard from cover
to cover. Shortly afterwards, James came out, despite the image
of a 21 year old, 5‘ 2”, braces wearing young man being beaten to
death simply for being gay. Several years later he read the book
again, this time understanding the significance of Shepard and
his town of Laramie, Wyoming in comparison to what was still
happening in the world. The similarities were tremendous. James
believed now and today that it is important for us to remember
this.
It is unlikely that Matthew Shepard knew that he would be an
icon; his life and violent death is often seen as a metaphor for the
North American human condition. Born in 1976, Shepard enjoyed
a typical American childhood, eventually enrolling in the Political
Science program at The University of Wyoming. On October 7th,
1998 Shepard met Aaron James McKinney and Russell Arthur
Henderson at a local bar. Eighteen hours later Matthew was
found unconscious and tied to a fence post in rural Wyoming,
beaten, tortured, and unrecognizable. Five days later Matthew
Shepard was dead.
McKinney and Henderson were each convicted of murder and
both are serving two consecutive life sentences, with no possibility of parole. Although Shepard was killed because he was gay (the
girlfriends of the accused testified that they set out to rob and
kill a gay guy), the two murderers were never charged with a hate
crime. Wyoming, to this day still has no hate crime legislation.
The individuals involved in Calgary’s Laramie Project believe
that the hatred that caused Shepard’s death needs to be readdressed because GLBT and all minority groups need to fight to
erase hate. Demers asserts that people need to understand that
victories like gay marriage rights do not mean the abolition of
hate and discrimination. After all, the rights for gays to marry
in many States were overturned, and hate crime legislation is
still not considered necessary everywhere. How often are people
threatened, verbally and physically assaulted, or killed today
solely because they are gay? Hate is still a major epidemic in the
global consciousness. Laramie Project, and Matthew Shepard’s
story is still very relevant.
Laramie Project is not your typical production. With 64 characters both straight and gay, of all ages and ethnicities, the creative
team needed to find a diverse cast. This “exceptional group of
inspired people” as Demers refers to the cast, consists of nine
actors, only 3 of whom are professionals, volunteering their time
to make the project work. Each cast member brings a diverse set
of characters to life, making one mindful that the 1998 incident
could just as easily happen in Calgary today.
The production staff and professional design team has also
generously donated their time, as have many other businesses in
the community. Shae Barrie of the Calgary store Does it Come in
Black has donated her costuming talents, while Blame Betty and
Priape have donated their products for fundraisers, and Money
Pennies and the Eagle have allowed the use of their venues for
rehearsal space and fund raising events. The Sublime Dance
Group has performed at fund raisers free of charge. High school
drama coach Barry Gagliardi has donated his invaluable time as
director to create the Calgary production of Laramie Project in his
own vision.
Laramie Project carries not just a message about hate, but
also a message of hope. James is determined to promote hope,
“because this doesn’t have to happen again for things to change.”
By understanding who we are as a society in reaction to a
hate crime, perhaps we can find a way to change. The crew is
also hopeful that this message might bring together Calgary’s
somewhat segregated gay community. It is important for us as a
minority to support each other because we are not done fighting.
Tickets for Laramie Project are only $15 and are available at
Ticketmaster. All proceeds go to charity. Make sure you don’t
miss the opportunity to see this moving production; we still have
so much to learn about ourselves and our society.
The Laramie Project
 May 14th-16th, 2009
 The Engineered Air Theatre, Calgary
 www.ticketmaster.ca
27
Celebrity Gossip
Deep Inside Hollywood
Lucy Lawless to Imprison Spartacus
By Romeo San Vicente
the title role of a man on a mysterious road trip to uncover
the truth about a long-ago event involving several men in the
Navy. And if that brings to mind The Village People then, well,
that’s not exactly the movie’s fault. Yet Handsome Harry is
about a disruption in the ranks of traditional masculinity and
stars Steve Buscemi as a dying man out to make amends for
that breach of the brotherhood. Joining him are Campbell
Scott, Aiden Quinn and John Savage as participants in the
wrongdoing and keys to the puzzle. From Bette Gordon (director of 1983’s acclaimed feminist drama Variety), this serious
exploration of gay denial is already making the film festival
rounds and wants a distributor, so catch it while you can.
Almodovar on the Verge of a Fox TV Series
If you were brainstorming about unlikely pairings in the
entertainment world, and even if you were brainstorming
really hard, then Fox TV Studios and Pedro Almodovar’s
breakthrough hit 1988 film Women on the Verge of a Nervous
Breakdown still might not ever cross paths in your mind. But
Almodovar himself is in the process of developing his crowdpleaser for an international English-speaking TV audience
with the production company right now. The one-hour, so-faruntitled pilot will focus on a suburban group of women (cue
Desperate Housewives comparisons, even though that series
studied at the feet of Almodovar) who are confronting middle
age and all the comedic scenarios that come along with it. Unknown is if, like in the film, one of the women on the verge will
be a voice-over actress who gets abandoned by her lover and
proceeds to drug houseguests with sedative-laced gazpacho.
But it could happen.
Broadway + Liberace: What could go wrong?
Photo courtesy of Sci-Fi Channel
Lucy Lawless to imprison Spartacus
A perfect storm of gay TV is on the horizon, thanks to ancient Rome and Xena. The upcoming Starz series Spartacus:
Blood and Sand was already set to feature a 300-style interpretation of the Spartacus legend, meaning that lots of muscular, barely-dressed men would be training or battling non-stop
on your basic-cable system. We’ve also been promised queer
characters. But now that the cast is fixed, lesbian audiences
have a reason to tune in: Lucy Lawless. Yes, yes, it’s a cliché,
but it would appear that all lesbians everywhere on earth still
love Lucy. Recently seen online interrogating former L Word
cast members about the murder of Jenny, Lawless will star
on Spartacus as the owner of the gladiator prison holding the
rebel slave. That means she’ll probably be somewhat wicked.
And who doesn’t like that? So while the warriors may be men,
the princess returns to weekly TV in January of 2010. That
gives you about eight months to plan the viewing party.
Steve Buscemi is not Handsome Harry
The new indie drama Handsome Harry stars veteran character actor Jamey Sheridan (
) in
28
Romeo’s already reported on a Liberace biopic in the works,
but are modern theater audiences clamoring for a recreation
of one of his Las Vegas concerts, starring an accomplished
Liberace impersonator? Even if they aren’t, it looks like they’ll
be getting one if Liberace: the Man, the Music and the Memories opens this fall season as planned. Starring Wayland
Pickard as the be-sequinned one, it appears that this channeling of one of the late pianist’s showroom revues is going to
be, pardon the pun, done with as straight a face as possible.
Pickard’s already been performing a version of the show, most
recently at the Welk (as in Lawrence) Resorts Theater in Escondido, Calif., which tells you something about its audience
and what’s most likely not in the show itself, aka any kind of
commentary on the man’s life. But then that would be fitting,
as Liberace himself vehemently denied his homosexuality even
as he died from AIDS in the 1980s.
Still though, doesn’t this all seem a
little bit weird?
Romeo San Vicente is never straight-faced. He
can be reached care of this publication or at
[email protected].
Lifestyle
Cocktail Chatter
Building a Better Bloody Mary and Hangover Helper
By Camper English
Building a Better Bloody Mary
You can tell a lot about a person from his or her choice in a
Bloody Mary. Some people try a little too hard to butch up the
drink with seven kinds of hot sauce. Others are all about flair,
bedazzling the drink with enough garnish to decorate Carmen
Miranda’s hat. And a certain segment of the population just
likes drinking at breakfast.
I suppose my style of Bloody Mary reveals both trust and
control issues. I don’t trust the bartender to make the drink for
me most places; I’d prefer to control the process at the makeyour-own Bloody Mary bar. I want the drink to have a perfect
combination of savory flavors, with a dash of olive brine and
the tiniest pinch of celery salt. I don’t like the saltiness of a
Dirty Martini or even olives in the drink (“Can I get those on
the side?” I’ll ask,) but when you add savory tomato juice to the
situation then all my issues are going to come out.
These days savory cocktails are all the rage in experimental
bars. I’ve consumed drinks with carrot juice, cucumbers, yogurt, and even mustard - but those weren’t Bloody Marys. Savory additions to that drink mostly involve mixing meat into it,
with beef bullion and clam juice inside the cocktail and bacon
and shrimp on top as garnish. Some bartenders are infusing
vodka with bacon, though that often leads to gloppy vodka.
But that’s all recent history. The Bloody Mary’s history goes
back to 1920 or 1939 (or some other date) depending on whose
story you believe. Like most of the famous cocktails of today, its
origin is in dispute. It may have been created in France; maybe
New York. It may have originally been made with vodka, or
maybe with gin.
Today some call the gin version a Red Snapper; the tequila
version a Bloody Maria; sake in the Bloody Geisha, and so on.
No matter what you call it, there are plenty of ways to adjust
the recipe to your personal taste. Within the vodka family,
flavored or infused vodkas go great in this drink - citrus flavors
like lemon and even lime can work, and you can sometimes
find special edition chipotle flavored vodka, or the more readily
available pepper (Peppar) flavor.
Speaking of spicy, I love wasabi paste, horseradish, and
muddled jalapeno and red bell peppers in the drink. You can
also infuse them in vodka overnight - I’ve tried them all, and
they were each differently delicious. Ethnic hot sauces for
Asian and Latin cuisine are great in the drink, as are savory
soy, Worcestershire, and steak sauces. Outside the glass, I say
the more the merrier - more olives, pickled green beans, celery
stalks, lemon wedges, cucumbers, tomolives, etc. I even like
salt and pepper and more celery salt around the rim. Bring it
on.
Now that I see my Bloody Mary drink preferences all written
down - hot and savory and a whole salad as garnish - it’s clear
I don’t have control issues at all. I think I’m just a big old glutton.
Hangover Helper
In addition to being painful, hangovers are a waste of time.
I’ve got things to do in the morning - work, exercise, brunch
cocktails - and it’s much harder to do those things with a
churning stomach and throbbing headache.
For a cocktail writer, hangovers are an occupational hazard.
I try to attend every restaurant opening, tasting session, open
bar party, brand launch, bartender brunch, and after-party in
whatever city I happen to be in. But I rarely endure hangovers
the next day because I make a vigilant effort to avoid them.
Here’s how:
Eat first. If dinner isn’t part of your plan for a night out,
make it your plan for the pre-party. Food in the stomach helps
slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, but it
does more than that. I drink more when I’m hungry, filling my
stomach with liquids instead of solids, so I always try to grab
a snack on the way to the bar. Also, if I have a belly full of food
there isn’t room for a six-pack of beer in there.
Hydrate. Surely you know that much of a hangover is caused
by dehydration, yet still you do not drink enough water. Order
a glass of water with every drink and not only will you stay
hydrated, you’ll spend more time peeing instead of drinking.
Drink water before you go out and more when you get back
from the bar. Water is your friend.
Watch the caffeine. Most people underestimate their level of
sobriety when combining caffeine with alcohol. If you dink five
Rum and Cokes you’re likely to feel less buzzed than you would
on six shots of rum, though you’ll have just as much liquor in
your system. Additionally, all the sugar in flavored sodas contributes to a hangover, so if you’re having more than a couple of
drinks watch your mixers too.
Drink lighter. Consider consuming beverages with less alcohol if you’re planning to drink more than a few. One beer has
the same quantity of alcohol as an ounce and half of a spirit
like vodka, but at the average gay bar they pour two or three
times the standard amount of vodka into the glass. (Admittedly,
this is a great from a bargain drinking standpoint.) Or try a
non-alcoholic cocktail in between drinks - try bitters and soda,
or soda water with a splash of cranberry and lime. These give
the experience of a standard cocktail without contributing to
the next day’s ruin.
Drink better, not more. Top-shelf spirits tend to have less
hangover-causing congeners than those mystery bottles poured
from the drink well. Additionally, if you order fancy cocktails
from the drink menu you may spend more time savoring the
drink instead of slurping it up through the straw.
Skip out early. Nothing good ever happens at the after-hours
party anyway. The later you stay out the more trouble you’ll
get into, and the more of the next day you’ll miss. And nobody
wants to miss brunch.
Camper English is a cocktails and spirits writer and publisher of
Alcademics.com.
29
Business Review
Entre Nous
Matchmaker or Money Maker?
By Evan Kayne
Steve Martin once said “there’s someone out there
for everyone - even if you need a pickaxe, a compass,
and night goggles to find them.” For some people
in Calgary’s GBLT community, they are also using
the extra tool of a gay matchmaking agency – Entre-Nous. But will you walk away with the person of
your dreams, or will you just end up with the money
sucked from your wallet?
small room filling out forms”. This sent up red flags for John – he
started to sense something wasn’t right. Finally, when he asked
how much Entre-Nous wanted to charge, he was told it would
cost anywhere from $10,000-$20,000 to sign up. This was a large
investment, even for a successful businessman.
John hesitated, and asked for more time to think about it…at
which point Entre-Nous staff gave him more forms to fill out. In
this time, John decided against signing up: “I told them, it’s not
about the money. I don’t know you from a hole in the wall. I don’t
know where you’re from; you told me you’re leaving tomorrow for
Vancouver, so that means you’re here for only one day. …As a
business person – you know when people scheming something.”
Entre-Nous bills itself as “Canada’s only matchmaking service
catering exclusively to same-sex relationships.” Like most matchmaking services, there are fees to be paid; fees which are not
cheap, but fees which people have paid in hopes that the service
is using the money to find you an appropriate match.
Unfortunately, Entre-Nous wasn’t going to let John get away
that easily. “They come back with a receipt – $15,000 on my
Visa. I said, excuse me, I have not given you any permission to
put this on my Visa. I said I want it back, and I’m not leaving
until I get it back.”
“Sam”, an IT consultant, has been together with his partner
for a year; to that he credits Entre-Nous. When it comes to public
knowledge of his sexuality, he described himself as “reserved”. He
used the dating service out of frustration – Sam wanted to meet
someone he could settle down with; of the men he had been dating, none of them were considered long-term material.
He waited there for almost 2 and a half hours, as they tried
to convince him they couldn’t refund the money. John told
them, “I want a signed piece of paper showing me you owe me
the $15,000.” Then they had to phone management and further
delay him. He was livid – he never permitted them to charge his
card nor had he seen any form indicating this was going to happen. “They were just trying to push it through that you would
pay for it.”
He admits the membership cost isn’t cheap, but he felt you get
what you pay for. Regarding the fees, due to the confidentiality
agreement with Entre-Nous, Sam couldn’t tell us what he paid,
but he did confirm that he and his partner have guessed they
paid roughly the same. Prior to the agency introducing him to
his current partner, Sam met with two other men, but no sparks
flew. As he did find his partner through the service, he felt it was
worth the money – or as he said, “you can’t put a price on a relationship”. When asked if he’d heard of any negative feedback on
Entre-Nous from his friends, he admitted he hadn’t, but he also
said he hadn’t told anyone he used a dating agency.
“They come back with a receipt – $15,000 on my
Visa. I said, excuse me, I have not given you any
permission to put this on my Visa. I said I want it
back, and I’m not leaving until I get it back.”
However, finding negative feedback about Entre-Nous was not
hard.
John Freriksen is the owner of a successful business in downtown Calgary. The one thing missing from his life was a romantic
partner. He didn’t like meeting people at the bars, didn’t use the
chat lines or any of the various dating websites, and was too
busy to look into any other alternatives for mating and dating.
He considered using Entre-Nous to match him with a potential
mate. All he had heard about them was that they were good, but
not cheap.
Last Spring, John took a chance, and was soon in a small
meeting room going through their interview process – which
consisted of filling out about twenty pages of forms to help build
a profile of him and what he wanted in a partner. The Entre-Nous
staff checked on him periodically, but the set up felt odd – like
a marketing scheme: “You feel really weird, because you know
these people are not from here (Calgary), and you’re sitting in a
30
This happened on a Saturday. On Monday John got a call
back from Montreal. Again they gave him excuses, but John was
adamant – especially after verifying the amount was charged to
his Visa. Then it got more interesting.
“I was offered to keep my mouth shut,” John said. “I was offered for $5000 - a membership.” He didn’t bite, and insisted
on getting a full refund. John promised that if he was not given
a refund, he’d make a loud and very public stink about what
occurred through his media contacts. A week and a half later he
finally got his money back.
He doesn’t think it was a simple mistake or miscommunication. “It is a scheme, absolutely a scheme.” As a business owner,
John has encountered situations where errors are made, and he
knows that the manner in which such errors are handled is a
sign of how professional a person or company is. While he would
not use their services, had Entre-Nous at the start simply told
him “so sorry, it was a mistake, we keep our word, here’s your
full refund,” he would have been happy to forget the whole situation.
After this encounter he doesn’t believe a word Entre-Nous
says. “They might find - once in a while - the right person for
someone,” John said, but he thinks they are swindling a lot of
people in the meantime. “A lot of people keep their month shut.
Like me…I said to myself, it’s over and done with, I should have
Business Review
known better, and I’m glad I found that out before I paid a dime.”
Fortunately, John didn’t sign any confidentiality agreements.
This is important because that agreement keeps you from disclosing your fee to other people (including any prospective dates
they send to you). Both from researching news stories on the
web and speaking (anonymously) to other Entre-Nous clientele,
I discovered the price can vary from around $500 to $8000.
One gentlemen commented Entre-Nous’ screening of applicants
seemed to be based on whether you can pay. He offered his credit
card and was swiftly approved as a member – no time seemed to
be taken verifying other important details – such as “no substance abusers, or persons with criminal convictions” as stated
on their website.
While I can’t speak to the drug equation, I can tell you the only
time you can request a record of someone’s criminal history (or
lack thereof) is if you are an existing or potential employer. This
is another misrepresentation – a promise that they can’t possibly
deliver on.
Indeed, regardless of the amount charged for membership, the
product provided by Entre-Nous seems to come up short not just
in Calgary, but in several other cities. I had a quick conversation with Fred Kuhr, writer with GBLT weekly Xtra!. His paper
and Xtra! West have reported on several similar situations. In
January, Xtra! reported the Ontario Ministry of Small Business
and Consumer Services “charged Entre-Nous with two counts
of failing to deliver on a valid contract, two counts of failing to
deliver a refund within 15 days and two counts of false, misleading and unfair practices.” Additionally, “in 2006 Terry Wong of
Toronto filed a small claims suit against the company for alleged
misrepresentation and allegedly failing to live up to its contractual obligations. Last June, Wong won his suit and was awarded
close to half of the nearly $8,000 he claims to have paid to the
dating service.”
That non-response, along with other concerns, might raise
warning signals. Here we have a business which legally binds
their customers to keep quiet about their prices, but doesn’t have
a set price for rendering what is conceivably a similar service.
Imagine walking into a store and being required to put on a
blindfold, then told that the amount of the product you want is
based on what’s in your wallet. No, you can’t check out their
inventory – they’ll bring out the product for you. And if you even
think of comparing notes with another customer, there could be
consequences.
Of course the target market for this service would likely have a
large component of closeted or semi-closeted males and females,
and/or people who might not want to admit that they used a
dating agency. This means that if this agency is truly doing their
customers wrong, they can count on the fact that most will not
fight back for fear of outing themselves in more ways than one.
While Sam has proof of success through Entre-Nous’ service
in his ongoing relationship, John on the other hand would not
recommend Entre-Nous whatsoever. His philosophy toward
business mistakes is to admit them, fix them, and move on. With
Entre-Nous, he got the run-around and the feeling that (and I
quote) “…they didn’t give a shit.” When you’re feeling vulnerable
in the search for your future spouse, the last thing you want is
for someone to mess with your mind, and your wallet.
Digging a little deeper into additional reports from Xtra! West,
Entre-Nous themselves admitted fees can vary. Patricia Ross,
their client service representative stated “desirability” could play
a factor in deciding to charge someone less for the service. As
well, hesitancy may lower the fees, as another gentleman found
out. Paul F., a 74-year old retiree from Vancouver balked at the
price and Entre-Nous eventually lowered their rates to $500 in
installments over five months. His experience with the service
was less than stellar, as the company didn’t honor his requirements in a potential date. Additionally, he discovered the fee
disparity when one of his dates told Paul he paid even less than
$500 for the service.
Interestingly enough, dubious behavior in a matchmaking
agency is not unique to the GBLT community alone. In 2008,
CBC’s Markeplace broadcast an episode on a straight matchmaking service (“Can’t Buy Me Love”). They found out much like
Entre-Nous, the straight dating agency’s fees could vary based
on desirability. Women of different ages were charged different
rates ranging from $2.00 to thousands of dollars. Again, like
Entre-Nous, members of this service were not aware such price
differentials existed.
While clients of Entre-Nous may – for the most part – be keeping quiet, a paper trail is forming. A search on the Better Business Bureau of Ontario (where Entre-Nous is based) came up
with multiple complaints and a ranking of “F”.
That being said, in our community small slights can get magnified to dramatic levels. I sent a list of my questions and concerns to Entre-Nous, with the hopes of including their side of the
story in this article. At the time of publication, I had yet to hear
back from them (even though, I’m told, they had time enough to
contact my editor with concerns over the article and my questions). This was not surprising, because according to Kuhr,
Entre-Nous has a reputation of being secretive when it comes to
the inner workings of their company.
31
News
Trans Healthcare Nightmare
By Will Sutherland
In the Alberta Government’s 2009 budget, the province announced it was cutting the Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) program to save $700,000 a
year. Since this took effect, it has been an International topic grabbing the attention of many writers,
news casts and celebrities including Oprah Winfrey.
But do people actually understand what is being
taken away?
With the letters and e-mails we have received at the Pride
Centre of Edmonton, it is clear that most of this province does
not. Many have the understanding that GRS is just “cosmetic
surgery”, no different from elective surgeries such as breast
augmentation or liposuction in people who aren’t satisfied with
their body image. They just don’t understand why Gender Reassignment Surgery should be paid for by taxpayers.
Since the release of the proposed budget many people have
stepped up and taken a stance on the rights of the Trans community, Sarah King and Cynthia Jasmyn Paish were two of
many people that have filed human rights complaints, King
taking it as far as a class-action lawsuit against the provincial
government for cutting the funds. When asked how she felt
about the GRS cuts King stated “I was devastated. I felt my life
coming to an end. But I felt that I could not be negative about
this situation and sit on the sidelines while my rights were violated and the sense of getting a kick in the head by the Government. My transition has already cost me greatly, and as such, I
formed a group to file a civil lawsuit against them.”
Most medical professionals who provide Gender Reassignment services to adults, state that when able to live out their
daily lives with both a physical embodiment and a social
expression that most closely matches their internal sense of
self, transgender individuals live successful, productive lives
virtually indistinguishable from anyone else. The various medical treatments and procedures that alter an individual’s primary and/or secondary sexual characteristics are considered
highly successful, medically necessary interventions for many
transgender persons, especially those who experience the deep
distress of body dysphoria.
While speaking to a few individuals about the issue I was
blown away by the support they had for the community as a
whole. Cynthia Jasmyn Paish shared, “I know my voice has
been heard because I’ve seen changes in the last two weeks. Big
changes.”
Said Paish bringing herself public was a big step “and to put
the issue in front of Albertans, and Canadians for that matter, there was a downside to that, in that I would much rather
remain “stealth”, not having everyone know my history. But if
we’re going to win this, I had to stick my neck out for the rest of
my community.”
Many Trans individuals don’t share with the rest of the world
that they are Trans - they want to live as the women or men
that they truly are. “It’s a small price to pay when I look at all
those behind me who have not even been diagnosed with GID.
32
It could have just as easily been me that got the short end of
the stick. I just got my surgery approval in the mail today, and
I’m happy, but what about the rest of us?”
The Government seems to have unilaterally deemed GRS as
a disposable cost. It’s safe to say this because there is only one
professional in the province that deals with Gender Reassignment, and they were not consulted. In a letter to the Editor
of The Edmonton Journal, Dr. Lorne Warneke stated,”At the
present time I am virtually the only psychiatrist in the Province
of Alberta that has an interest in this area. A few years ago
there was a gender clinic in Calgary but it closed because one
psychiatrist deceased and the other left because of internal
funding issues. This left two psychiatrists in Edmonton who
were doing this type of assessment and follow up. For a number
of reasons this shrank to one and I am now doing about 95%
or more of such assessments for all of Alberta. With only one
psychiatrist involved in this area of work, it would have been
relatively simple for the office of the Minister of Health to have
had a discussion about the impact of delisting SRS with myself
before making the decision. Some dialogue, even as a courtesy,
would have been appreciated.”
The Government seems to have unilaterally deemed
GRS as a disposable cost. It’s safe to say this because
there is only one professional in the province that
deals with Gender Reassignment, and they were not
consulted.
Ironically the Health Minister has been quoted saying, “we
want to ensure that that we look after the most vulnerable in
society.” Dr. Warneke commented on this remark.
“This was in reference to seniors. However individuals who
are transgendered are also a very vulnerable and [marginalized]
group in our society. What has happened to a compassionate
approach to them? Also, what message is being given to transgendered youth and adolescents? They need support and to be
secure in the knowledge that help is available for them at the
time that they need it, and they will not be treated as second
class citizens.”
Dr Gail Knudson, Psychiatrist and President of The Canadian
Professional Association for Transgender Health states, “The
fact that the Alberta Government made this decision without
consultation shows how little they understand transgender
issues and how little awareness they have about the effect of
their actions. We can reasonably assume that this news will
create profound despair in individuals waiting for these life saving medical interventions”.
The Tory government was not expecting this kind of reaction
from the community, and is scrambling to calm the storm after
receiving so much flack. Liepert has guaranteed that anyone
on the waiting list for the GRS will be covered, and not have to
worry about coming up with the anywhere between $20,000 to
$70,000 to pay for their surgery.
Paish assured me that even though her surgery approval
has been received, she will not back down, “I have received my
funding, but the people to follow me need all the support we
News
can give them in this.”
Sarah King has a message for our province: “This issue
affects ALL Albertans. Not just the Trans community. Many including myself have lost friends, family, employment and even
children.”
One would think that each Alberta taxpayer could stand to
part with the mere 19 cents in order to afford this service to
those who can’t afford it on their own, and in many cases quite
literally can’t bare to live without it.
To show your support you can find the petition at http://
www.thepetitionsite.com/1/re-list-sex-reassignment-surgery-funding-in-alberta or join the Facebook Group Reinstate
Gender Reassignment Surgery Funding in Alberta. Forums at
http://transequality.ca/forums (There are 2 separate registrations for security purposes)
The Unitarian Church of Edmonton presents an evening of
film and discussion about who transsexuals are, why Gender
Reassignment Surgery is necessary and the assumptions and
misperceptions that have driven this decision.
 Sunday. May 24, 2009
 10804 – 119 Street, Edmonton
Doors open 6:30pm, presentation starts 7:00pm. Admission is free.
Politics
 The Delisting of Hope - From Page 23
because in their view the birth certificate reflects how you were born,
and cannot/should not be changed.
As for personal relationships, which are so important to us as human beings, imagine meeting someone and reaching a point where
intimacy is likely. Then you must have ”The Conversation” with the
person you hope feels as strongly about you as you feel about them
- only to be met with an adverse, and too often a violent, reaction.
For many MtF transwomen the reaction on the part of their (male)
partners is not just violent, it alarmingly often becomes homicidal.
The list of murdered transwomen, commemorated each year during
Trans Awareness Week, is long...too long.
I am not as aware of the statistics for transmen in such a situation. While many transmen have come out of a strong dyke culture,
and of these many elect to not undergo so-called ‘bottom surgery’
since phalloplasty or similar procedures are nowhere near as successful-looking as created vaginas and labia, clearly transmen are
not exempt from violence or negative reactions regardless of whether
their partner of choice is genetically female or male. I am aware of
some transmen who identify as gay men and I am certainly aware
of the attitude many gay bio-males (not a great term) have towards
their trans brothers, so I am assuming gay-identified transmen
experience similar reactions to that which heterosexual transwomen
experience.
When I was the Prairies/NWT/Nunavut Regional co-director for
Egale Canada, one of the committees I sat on was the Trans Issues
Committee. The key issue at that time was Ontario’s delisting of GRS
and having the procedure re-listed under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). It was a long and stressful process for all involved,
but especially for those directly affected by the delisting.
Just as we are seeing here in Alberta, many transfolk found
themselves suddenly left in limbo. The long-awaited and long-hoped
for surgery designed to assist them in being who they were was suddenly and inexplicably off the table.
Disappointment doesn’t even begin to describe what some of these
individuals experienced.
They were panic-stricken, by and large, and what hopefulness they had finally been able to garner after years of heartache,
struggle, dysfunction, and in some cases suicidal tendencies was
suddenly ripped away from them. One day, the future at last appeared within their grasp. The next day, it was gone.
Luckily, through the efforts of some very brave and persistent
individuals within the trans community and the support of openly
gay then-Minister of Health George Smitherman - the decade-long
delisting of GRS in Ontario was reversed.
Of course there are still some issues to work out, such as having
candidates for GRS vetted at least in part through Toronto’s Centre
for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) - which has come under
extensive fire from trans activists for its treatment of trans people in
the past - and having only one doctor, based in Montreal, responsible for all surgeries. But overall it would seem the relisting of GRS
in Ontario has been successful despite OHIP currently covering only
genital reconstruction for both MtF and FtM surgeries, as well as
mastectomies. OHIP will not cover breast augmentation or hormone
treatment, although a spokesperson for OHIP has stated some people
may be eligible to have hormones covered by the Ontario Drug Plan.
It would seem a reasonable, and reasonably easy thing to do for
Alberta to learn from Ontario’s experience and follow suit. If history is any indication, however, the Alberta government will dig in
its heels to force a time-consuming and expensive human rights
battle, and it will be years before GRS is relisted here. Meanwhile,
real tragedies and real trauma will continue to unfold. And that is
unconscionable.
33
Theatre Review
Corner Gassed
A Slice of Small Town Life at Jubilations
By Jason Clevett
If you were sad that Corner Gas wrapped up this
year after 6 seasons, you still have the chance to
visit small town Saskatchewan life one more time at
Jubilations Dinner Theatre. Corner Gassed, based
on the hit TV series, runs in Calgary until June
21st.
It’s the Bi-centennial celebration for Cat Creek, Saskatchewan. Big plans to celebrate include a pageant, talent contest,
pickle competition and much more. Brett Sass (Jeremy Coulter)
runs the local gas station he bought from his dad Owen (Gabriel Stinson). Owen is brewing up something special to add to
the punch bowl under the nose of local police officer Sharon
(Jaclyn Nestman). The show is rounded out with Jolee Alberts
as Sandra, Vicktoria Adam as Tracey and a human rubber
band named Kevin Pownall as Frank.
Sticking with the uniquely Canadian theme, the soundtrack
consists solely of Canadian artists, such as The Band, Tom Cochrane, kd Lang, Sarah Mclachlan and many others. The music
is what brought Jubilations veteran Jeremy Coulter back to the
company after a three year hiatus.
“I got bored. I was a cabinetmaker for three years in Prince
George, BC and it just wasn’t me, that constant repetition of
building the same box for the 2000th time. I did a community
theatre show up there and after that knew what I had to do. So
I contacted (artistic director) Randy Apostle and let him know
I was interested. He called me back and said ‘We are doing
Corner Gas, do you want to be Brett?’ Yes I do,” he recalled.
“Corner Gas is a Canadian icon, like The Red Green Show was
years ago. Everybody knows it. Even people who haven’t seen
the TV show recognize it. But for me it is the music, it is all
Canadian. I get to sing The Weight by The Band, which is one of
my all time favorite songs.”
Now in his 10th show, Coulter isn’t concerned with having to
portray such a well known character.
”I have done a couple of shows where the character I am
playing is a takeoff of a character that is known. There is a little
bit of pressure, but with the Brett character it is really easy.
He is the straight man, he is the one relatively normal person
amongst this whole band of loonies. We have a lot in common,
we are the same height, roughly the same build, into comic
books and science fiction and love to eat. He is 10 years older
than I am but we are relatively similar people. So getting into
the character to Brett was easy. As long as I can bring the essence of that character to the stage show, I have done my job
and am happy.”
The show is fairly standard Jubilations fare. A fun night out
with friends to interact with the additional cast, have a four
course meal, listen to some music and have a few laughs. The
show has such a broad spectrum of music that it will appeal to
people regardless of age Coulter says.
“Musically this is one of the best shows in a while because
it has appeal to everyone. Songs appeal to our generation like
Trooper, Barenaked Ladies, and Bryan Adams. We also have
34
things that appeal to older people like The Unicorn and The
Logdrivers Waltz, which people our age remember from CBC between The Friendly Giant and Mr. Dressup. The rest of the cast
do such a great job of tapping into those things that make the
characters on the show so quirky. It really is a lot of fun.”
Corner Gassed
 Running until June 21st
 Jubilations Dinner Theatre
 www.jubilations.ca
35
36
Editorial
 Adventures in Drag - From Page 5
April 2009
I hobbled out of the back room, and went on a tour of the bar
to see people’s reactions. Naturally I tried to plant a big kiss
on my Steve but he held me off at an arm’s distance, using the
excuse that he didn’t want to get lipstick on him. I can’t say
that wearing a dress felt strange…if anything it was like wearing
a bathrobe. The heels were a little uncomfortable, but I got the
hang of them pretty quick by focusing on walking on my toes.
Right near the beginning of the month was the Taboo Sex
Show in Red Deer. Though we didn’t have a booth in place, we
still had arranged with the organizers to have our magazines
available. We hadn’t intended to go up and visit the show in
person, but the opportunity presented itself. I have to say,
about every second guy in Red Deer was super hot in a blue-collar sort of way. We definitely need to visit there more often!
My number came closer to the end of the drag show. I sat
on the sidelines, waiting, my mind racing. Makayla checked a
couple of times to make sure I wasn’t freaking out. The strange
drunken guy sitting beside me kept wanting to shake my hand,
and even grabbed my ass as I got up at one point - what the
hell! I watched the numbers ahead of me go by, having a good
laugh as Emperor Joey did a spot-on impression of Empress
Bianca. Eventually my turn came, as they announced the debut
of “Tara Hymen”, performing Britney Speers’ hit song “Toxic”!
It was slightly bittersweet that Apollo Western Cup, with only
four sports, was a little easier for us to cover this year. Instead
of splitting up, Steve and I spread the task out over the two
days, visiting each sporting event together and photographing from different angles. The food was fabulous at the Friday
dinner, and the Saturday dance in the Westin ballroom was its
usual popular draw for the whole community.
People began laughing almost immediately, as I attempted to
run (hobbled frantically) up onto the stage. But in this case I
didn’t find the laugher intimidating whatsoever – in fact, it only
encouraged me. I like making people laugh sometimes with my
writing, so it felt gratifying. As I swayed and mouthed the song,
ideas started coming to me and I went along with them, channeling the psychotic and undignified Britney that we all know
and love to make fun of. I raised my dress in reference to her
well known beaver shot, and during the interlude I pretended to
shave my head, dropping the wig to the ground, then proceeding to spazz out so much that I popped my right breast somewhat intentionally. After adjusting my left breast to the center
to serve as a uni-boob, I accepted tips, then popped the last
balloon as the song came to a close. The audience roared with
laughter, and what humored me was that Steve heard people
commenting about how I must have practiced all of this ahead
of time. I left the stage somewhat relieved that it was over, with
close to $20 worth of bills and coins clutched in the death grip
that was my left hand. Just about everyone that I encountered,
from the stage to the back room, had praise for me.
I got back into my regular running shoes, returned the wig,
but left the dress on for the remainder of the show. At the end,
Empress Bianca called all of the performers up, but much to my
surprise she announced me as the winner! Not realizing it had
been a competition, I was so dazed that I didn’t pay attention
to what I had won until Dion explained to me that I had just
received an honourary title from the ISCCA. I finally got rid of
the tips I was clutching, donating them back to the organization,
and thanked Bianca and Joey.
Even long after I was out of face and back into my boy clothes,
people I had never seen before at the Eagle were shaking my
hand and wanting to talk to me. The whole experience left me
with an ego high that lingered for the next several days, much
like the grating taste of makeup at the back of my throat.
After observing drag for so long, it took an experience like this
to help me finally understand how someone might get hooked on
it in the first place. It’s definitely not for the “thrill” of wearing
women’s clothes as mainstream thinking tends to believe. It’s a
way to let loose, to become famous and popular within the gay
community, and possibly make a little money in tips while doing
it. People are so appreciative of what you do that it makes you
feel extremely good about yourself, but I can also see how easy it
might be to let it all go to your head.
Much to Steve’s relief, Tara Hymen will definitely not be making regular appearances, although that night has unquestionably prodded at the long dormant side of me that enjoyed Drama
class back in high school. I’ve caught myself idly practicing
dance moves, and imagining what songs I might do were I ever
required to perform again. Oh god, we created a monster!
The very next week we were back at the hotel for the ISCCA
Coronation. After our experiences with past venues, I have to
say that the staff and management of the Westin were amazingly
helpful and accommodating. As we got our video equipment set
up, and our big screen projector to broadcast the video footage,
the Westin took care of our every need. During the event, they
even specially delivered dinner to us at the platform where we
were situated. I can’t speak for the ISCCA but I’m pretty certain
they were equally happy with their new venue.
While the venue was originally expecting to provide seating
for 200 attendees, the stellar ticket sales tipped organizers off
that they needed room for more, and so seating and food for
an additional 50 people was added at the last minute. Despite
this upsizing, as the night went on, the ISCCA was forced to sell
standing room tickets to many more individuals who came to
attend. It was the largest crowd that the ISCCA has seen out for
a Coronation in many years.
In the second set, ISCCA President Neal DeWitt announced
that the year’s fundraising total came to $35,000. He went further to put into perspective the difference that the ISCCA makes
in the community by pointing out that the organization has, over
the last 3 years, given away a grand total of $102,000 toward
their various charities.
As expected, Empress Nina and Emperor Michael had emotional step downs. Nina overcame a lot of obstacles this past
year, and garnered a great deal of support from our own city
and others. Michael became Emperor when Ashley Carmichael
needed to step down for health reasons, and he certainly rose to
the challenge and filled his new position well.
At the end of the night, the newly elected Emperor and Empress were announced to be Joey Hailey and Bianca LaBouche.
At the Victory Brunch the next morning, they proclaimed the
reign of “Hungarian Sausage and Italian Meatballs,” along with
the theme for their Coronation next year, “Tea with Musolini”.
The voting results were also revealed: a total turnout of 247
voters. As the only candidate for Emperor, Joey Hailey received
196 yes votes and 33 no votes. Bianca LaBouche won with 91
votes, by a reasonable margin over Malibu Stacey with 71 votes.
Argintina Hailey-Santos and Onyx Myte trailed the other two
candidates.
This year for the first time I had enough hard drive space
on my computer to download and prepare the over 7 hours of
footage from the Coronation so that performers and attendees
can relive the experience. I have split the night by set, over four
DVDs with custom Coronation 33 themed menus, and chaptered the footage by performer to make it easier to jump right to
the ones you want to see. The set will come with custom DVD
labels and jewel case inserts to make it all pretty. Once I have
determined the cost for materials, we will be selling the four-disc
sets, with a portion of the proceeds going back to the ISCCA. If
37
Editorial
you are interested in purchasing a copy, we are currently collecting names and phone numbers on a waiting list, so please
contact us by phone, E-mail, or Facebook.
This Month
We have a very packed edition for you this month, and we’ve
needed to give a couple of our regular features a rest to make
room for slightly more time sensitive articles. We are also trying
something new by putting a small selection of articles on our
website only, as they become available over the course of the
month. For now they will appear in the regular article listing
when you visit the Magazine page, but marked with a special
icon to distinguish them from regular print articles.
Aside from the usual monthly events, the Fairytales International Queer Diversity Film Festival is the big happening for
May, even though it is right at the end (May 28th – June 6th).
For the first time we’re publishing a full movie guide, which can
be found on page 51. There is also a big leather/fetish weekend
planned for June 5th and 6th here in Calgary – read more about
it on page 26.
As if that early June weekend wasn’t busy enough, Prism
in Edmonton is also celebrating their first anniversary under
new ownership, on Saturday June 6th – congrats Deborah and
Tracy!
This month’s cover features the cast of Laramie Project, with
director Barry Gagliardi. The symbolism may have been slightly
lost due to the angle of the shot, but the group is standing on
a train track that comes to abrupt end, alongside other tracks
that continue going. It was a pretty exciting cover shoot, albeit
short and sweet. We got a number of other amazing shots that
sadly wouldn’t fit on our cover, so we’ve included them with the
online article instead. You can read more about the production
on page 27.
Where’s the Pre-Pride Guide?
For the past several years we have published a pre-pride
guide in our May edition to give Pride-goers event information
well in advance. However, with the move of Calgary’s event to
September, it no longer makes sense to publish such a guide
as we cannot conveniently group Edmonton and Calgary Pride
information together in one edition. But this certainly hasn’t
slowed us down from being involved!
Readers and advertisers make note that information for
Edmonton Pride (June 12th – 21st) and Lethbridge Pride (June
12th – 14th) will be published in the June edition, along with
ARGRA Rodeo events. Incidentally, this will be the first time
Lethbridge Pride has engaged in a weekend-long festival! Then,
our magazine will host the official Pride Calgary Pride Guide
in the August edition so that the information is available well
in advance of September 5th and 6th. This is actually good
news for us because our quietest edition of the year will now
be packed with Calgary Pride, Calgary/Edmonton Fringe, and
ISCWR coverage. Coincidentally we are also doing some minor
cross-promotion with Saskatoon Pride this year, which will be
occurring from June 7th to 13th.
As sponsors of all of these organizations, our magazines
will be prevalently available at all major events. So these two
editions are great opportunities for advertisers to reach an audience that may not come out any other time of year.
Trans Healthcare
The big news this past month has been about changes to
Alberta Health Care coverage that now excludes gender reassignment surgeries. Trans individuals are rightly upset by this
development, as many would be unable to afford the procedures
themselves, and some may be left halfway to completing their
sex change. We have a number of writers weighing in on the
issue in this edition.
Here in Calgary, to add insult to injury, many businesses
have experienced a rash of harassing voicemails containing
some pretty ugly and misguided hate speech on the topic. In
one message that I heard, which appeared to be a pre-recorded
message, the individual was condemning us “faggots” for using
government money toward this “perversion”. Okay, I’m confused. So these extremists don’t want us to be gay, don’t want
same sex couples to be able to marry, and yet they balk when
it comes to helping pay for trans individuals to go through this
process in pursuit of (in many cases) a heterosexual lifestyle – to
in essence NOT be “faggots” any more. Once again, it’s obvious
that such shit-for-brains individuals don’t really care about right
or wrong, even by their own standards. They are just looking for
someone to kick in the ribs while they’re already down, and as
usual, the already disenfranchised GLBT community is an easy
target.
However, the outpouring of dissatisfaction on the government’s decision, due to the impact on Trans folk, is already
making an impact - it has even received attention from the
Oprah show! The hope is that the government will see that this
matter is not to be taken lightly, and reconsider.
Anyone that may have received one or more of these hateful
voicemails or phone calls are encouraged to add to the case that
has been filed with the Calgary Police, under report number
48076.
Sandra Casey
Friends and family of Sandra Casey, who was killed in a hit
and run incident this past January, were relieved to find out
that the man responsible, Stavros Costoulas, had officially
entered a guilty plea. This means that justice can be served
swiftly, rather than being dragged out over the course of years.
He will be sentenced on July 9, 2009.
In a message to the members of Sandra’s memorial Facebook
group, her wife Deb Boniface said, “I will be there on this day, as
no doubt a lot of her friends and family will be. On this day I am
able to read a Victims Impact Statement. I hope some of you will
share in your feelings into this crime, so that the judge knows
just how this death has had its impact.”
We want to hear what YOU have to say about the topics in this article, and
any other articles in GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. Visit our chat
forums at www.gaycalgary.com/forum and write your heart out! Or write
us a letter to the publisher by post or by E-mailing publisher@gaycalgary.
com, and we may publish or respond to it in the magazine!
38
39
Trans Identity
Almost a Person
By Mercedes Allen
It came in as registered mail. This was good news of
course, so when I’d received the notice, I ran down
to the postal outlet to collect the envelope that would
have an update about my eligibility for surgery. I knew
what the letter should say because of a conversation
with Alberta Health a couple days prior, so I was pretty
excited. I was to be one of the “46” (we still can’t figure
out who is all included in that number) who was to be
grandfathered through before funding for Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) would be completely cut off.
And then the girl behind the desk at the postal outlet
said, “I need to see some ID.”
The bubble burst fairly quickly at that.
I pulled out my Driver’s License, trying to
keep my thumb over the “M” specifying
gender. She pulled the card from my fingers,
made a note and then stiffened for a full
second when she saw the dreaded M. Without
moving her head, she glared up at me, crooking
an eyebrow. Then, after a pause, she tossed my
license and the letter at me, saying nothing as she
waited for me to leave.
Yay. Outted again in a small town.
Of course, for me, it’s still good news. Once I have
the surgery later this year... then get my letters from the
surgeons declaring that GRS has been performed... and then
get them notarized... and then have an examination with my
family doctor to get a letter from him...and have that notarized...
and pay all the registry fees for processing the Birth Certificate
change... and pay all the fees for the D/L change... and pay for
all new ID cards... and I’m sure I missed a few other steps in
there somewhere, I’ll have to check....
But once I’ve done all that, I can be a person again (it’s a good
thing I wasn’t born in BC where this process gets complicated).
Though, for the larger part of an entire community, that personhood is now another $20,000 (if MTF) to $100,000 (if FTM) away.
In an age of inflated rents, falling wages and dwindling McJobs,
just breaking even financially is difficult enough - the Alberta
Government seems to want to make the sex trade a reasonable
career path for the unemployed, underemployed and moderately
employed transsexuals who are seeking to fix their lives.
$700,000 isn’t much in a $13 Million health budget - it works
out to19 cents per Albertan taxpayer. But it’s often inaccessible to individual transsexuals, who are frequently facing stable
employment concerns and economic marginalization. Health insurance plans, too, typically make a specific exemption of GRS,
even though all major Canadian and American Medical bodies
recognize it at a medically necessary procedure (the American
Medical Association restated this in June of last year for this
reason). So the option of private health care funding is rarely
there, either. Albertans and Health providers like to pretend
that GRS is cosmetic surgery done on a lark... never mind the
therapy, and the real-life test that extends sometimes to 3 or
4 years in Alberta, or the other hoops that no cosmetic patient
40
would ever have to jump through. In reality, it is something
that can bring closure to an anxious, distressful, dysfunctional
phase of life. In reality, one of many things that have been made
inaccessible to Albertan transsexuals by delisting the surgery is
personhood.
Imagine being outted every time you buy cigarettes or go to
the bar. You apply for a job, and sometimes it is there again:
“let’s see your driver’s license.” Imagine the person carding you
and then loudly drawing attention to you with their vocal objections - or even some clerk trying to be nice and say “oh, you’re
transgender, that’s cool” and unintentionally informing everyone in the line behind you. With the strict gender binary we’re
forced to live, each of these moments opens an opportunity for
prejudice, confrontational hate speech, “moral” pontification or
at least the cold shoulder, passive aggression and poor service.
And it doesn’t stop there. Passports have few provisions - you
can get a temporary passport if you’re
scheduled for GRS surgery, but under new
changes, it can no longer be renewed. And
if you’re stopped at the US border with an
appearance that doesn’t match your gender
marker on documentation by a border officer’s
standards, you can be held indefinitely by
Homeland Security. In my own case, I am unable
to obtain a Metis card which would make available to me some valuable education programs. This
is because I need a copy of my baptismal certificate
and the Catholic Church that baptized me, flagged the
file and refused once they figured out what my name
change indicated.
This is only one example of the true cost of delisting GRS
coverage. It will mean the difference between taxpayers leaving the Province - or worse, turning to illegal means of obtaining
cash - versus developing into comfortable, secure, confident,
creative and productive individuals. It will mean an increased
cost of mental health beds used to treat transsexuals for depression and anxiety, or holding them after their latest suicide
attempt (suicide being an abnormally high statistic among preoperative transsexuals). It will mean the cost of the psychiatrists and social workers needed to monitor them everyday. It
will mean the judicial fees of charging, prosecuting and incarcerating people who have turned to theft or prostitution...and
perhaps human rights abuses suffered by imprisoning male-tofemale transsexuals with men and housing female-to-males in
psychiatric hospitals (which is the Federal government’s policy).
It will mean the expense of addictions counseling and recovery.
It will mean the cost of hospital fees of transsexuals who have
been victims of violence from people who have reacted extremely
negatively because of who they are... or the cost of a murder
trial, if it were to come to that. Even when you put it into terms
of dollars saved minus dollars lost/cost, delisting GRS and forcing many transsexuals to live in the in-between almost indefinitely does not make sense.
And of course, sometimes you have to look at it under the
sterile microscope of cash, because that is the language that Albertans listen to. The bigger picture is not always obvious, and
the Alberta Government is counting on the moral furor to cover
the larger agenda. After all, there are some 40 health cuts in development, all tests to see what Albertans are willing to tolerate:
will they tolerate cuts to drug benefits if it only affects seniors?
Will they tolerate cuts to suicide prevention programs if they
Trans Identity
only affect Native youth? In the case of GRS, it allows them to
test whether medically-necessary procedures are likewise touchable (even without consultation with the medical community,
or consultation on how it will affect the patients in question) if
they only affect a small and unpopular community. We’ve seen
the slashing done to our health and education systems in the
1990s, the non-reparation made to these systems during the
boom years, and now the suggestions of more slashes to further
drive toward two-tier health under the guise of “recession.”
We’ve seen the Government play comparative games, saying,
“oh, we need to cut Downs’ Syndrome care so we can pay for
cancer patients’ needs,” so that different communities in need
can compete with each other for compassion and salvation. The
system was not being fixed when it could have been. Instead, it
is being dismantled, and the Conservatives saw an opportunity
to prey upon Albertans’ inclination to discriminate in order to
send up a test balloon.
Unfortunately for them, it hasn’t all gone according to plan.
When even the Calgary Sun begins an article on the delisting
with “What, there weren’t any crippled puppies around for Ron
Liepert to kick?” it becomes very clear very quickly that not all
Albertans are buying it.
People are contacting their MLAs and expressing their concerns. The outpouring, even if just from people who simply
don’t want to see the Province go down the same legal road that
it did with Delwin Vriend, was unexpected, and appreciated beyond words. The outcome is still up in the air, with debates still
proceeding and the budget still days from being finalized.
This response is because people are starting to see the human
cost. They are starting to realize what it means to be in legal
limbo, what it means to be lost in the margins, what it means
to be at risk of alienation, discrimination or violence because of
who we are.
Albertans may not understand why we need to make a change
in life as drastic as changing gender, but they are seeing that it
is clearly something done because of a real and present need,
considering all that is risked and often lost in that process.
Now if only the Provincial Government could be enlightened
on this fact.
Mercedes Allen is a writer who blogs at http://dentedbluemercedes.wordpress.
com/, has been featured on bilerico.com, PageOneQ and others, and has
also developed the website at AlbertaTrans.org as a resource for transgender
information and support.
Letters
Letters to the Editor
Dear GayCalgary,
I would like to thank everyone who attended Coronation 33: Absolutely Flawless. It was a great night, and was well attended both
by in-town and the Courts of Canada and the USA including Surrey, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto, Halifax,
Regina and Alaska. It was great to see such numbers at Coronation
as well.
This year, the 32nd House of Style, Sophistication, SuperModels
and SuperTrannies raised $35,000.00 over the past year and it was
dispensed to our charities of choice on April 18, 2009. Children’s
Wish Foundation, Beswick House, Agape Hospice, HIV Peer Support, AIDS Calgary Positive Living Lunch Program, The Alberta Liver
Foundation and the Sandra Boniface Last Wish Fund were the recipients of the 32nd House’s Fundraising this year, and I was proud
to be a part of the team that put in the time and effort to benefit
these worthy charities.
It has been very satisfying and humbling that businesses within
the city are so very supportive and go above and beyond what is
necessary, and indeed, suggest creative ways to raise funds within
their establishments. To the owners, operators and staff of all the
intown business, from bars to print publications to retail stores,
this couldn’t have been done without your help.
My biggest bow goes to the community within Calgary. You
people are those who we approach day after day, month after month
whining for contributions, and you all selflessly give every single
time. If it was not for your generosity, the ISCCA would not be the
viable entity it is today, and for that I sincerely thank you all.
I’d like to thank the Board of Directors for all their hard work this
year and for producing an amazing Coronation. Honorable mention
to our Ball Coordinator this year, David Patten aka Ernestine in
his 15th consecutive term in the role, as well as Cory Yanciw, who
not only coordinated the hotel, but was also the Treasurer and Ball
Program Coordinator. All of your efforts, advice and contributions
throughout the year were treasured and appreciated.
Our new venue for Coronation, the Westin Hotel was absolutely
amazing. The levels of service, execution, hospitality, and food
service was simply outstanding to say the least. They were the newage “I Dream Of Jeannie”…we needed something and 30 seconds
later it was done. Tim Gregus and the entire crew at the hotel,
thank you so much for everything.
To Their Most Imperial Sovereign Majesties Joey Hailey and
Bianca LaBouche, Calgary’s 33rd Elected Monarchs, I wish you the
best of luck and success. I hope your year garners you the enrichment and friendships that mine has for me.
Finally, to my dear friends, whether from Calgary or ones I have
met over this past year, and most especially to those who took care
of all the little things over Coronation weekend to keep my stress
level manageable; I love you all and treasure everything you have
brought to my life. I am a more complete person having you close
to me. Thank you for everything, I love you all.
Here’s a toast to the beginning of the 33rd Reign…may it be prosperous, successful and rewarding!
I remain as always in service to the Community, Emperor 14 ½
of Hamilton-Wentworth, Emperor 22 ½ of Toronto, Emperor 9 ½ of
Halifax, Emperor 35 ½ of Vancouver, The Black Diamond Demon
Arisen from the Bow River Two Years Early, His Most Imperial Sovereign Majesty Emperor 32 of Calgary and all Southern Alberta
Michael Shadow Wolf-Would Myte
41
42
Fundraising
Photos
Photography
AFQOL Muy Caliénte Gala at La Pachanga - Calgary
ISCCA Farewell Show at Money Pennies - Calgary
Queers on Campus Gender Bender - Calgary
43
Theatre Review
The Buddy Holly Story
Stage West Tributes Music Icon 50 Years After his Death
By Jason Clevett
I’ll admit to having some trepidation in the final
show of the 2008/2009 Stage West season. My
parents were just kids when Buddy Holly, Ritchie
Valens and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash on
February 3rd, 1959. By the end of the opening night
of the production, I leapt to my feet with the rest of
the audience for a much-deserved standing ovation
– the third time I have witnessed this in five seasons
of covering Stage West.
The Buddy Holly Story chronicles the life of music icon Buddy
Holly, played by Zachary Stevenson, from late teens in Lubbock,
Texas through his rise to fame. With Mother’s Day approaching, I
thought it would be appropriate to invite my Mom Linda and her
friend Shirley to the show. Their delighted reactions were almost as
entertaining as the show itself.
”He moves just like Buddy did!” Mom exclaimed during intermission. “It is like actually seeing him here.”
The music is rooted in great melodies and harmonies
and things that transcend genre and era. People of
any age respond to the music.
Stevenson has absolutely captured the essence of Buddy Holly.
When he sings, it is easy to close your eyes and hear Holly shining
through, just like he did on the old records my parents listened to
while I was growing up. Stevenson is part of indy-rock group The
Human Statues, and just like me was born decades after Holly’s
death. I asked what the appeal was in playing the character.
”As a musician I have a fascination with all pop music and its
origins. [The Human Statues’] primary musical influence is The
Beatles, and one of their top influences was Buddy Holly. It doesn’t
take long to trace back his influence to us. So dissecting his life,
where he came from and the type of tunes that he wrote, and how
his career developed is interesting, even in relation to our own musical pursuits,” he said. “Another thing that is kind of cool is, because
we are too young to have lived in that era, it gives us a different
perspective. We don’t hold it in a nostalgic way, there is a separation
from it which helps as an actor. If I had a preconceived idea of who
he was, I might attack it in a different way. It is like experiencing
the music from the inside out, I am in the mind frame that these are
new tunes that are fresh and exciting. It is a different experience to
play it that way.”
Stevenson’s partner in The Human Statues, Jeff Bryant, explained
how the show transcends the generation gap.
”The music is rooted in great melodies and harmonies and things
that transcend genre and era. People of any age respond to the music. Obviously for the older demographic there is the nostalgia thing,
it brings them back to memories that they had. We did not exist
when these songs came out so that is not the reason we respond to
it. People just respond to good melody. I have no doubt that people
of any age have an opportunity to enjoy this show, it is very accessible.”
The show culminates in re-creating Holly’s last performance at
44
the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. It is at this point where the
show elevates from a musical into a magical experience. Aaron
Walpole and Dominic Calla add their own authentic turns as The
Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens respectively, before Stevenson plays a
string of Holly hits, backed up by the entire ensemble. It is intense,
electrifying, and simply amazing. Even as someone who didn’t experience Holly’s original music first hand, I was singing along, bobbing
my head, and clapping - caught up in a wistful feeling I didn’t know
I could tap into.
If you are looking for a good way to celebrate your Mom, without
a doubt The Buddy Holly Story is a great way to do it. Even if you
don’t take someone older, the show is worth checking out and learning about an artist that profoundly influenced the music of today.
”You will have a good time. If I were a producer I would do a money back guarantee. I have a lot of confidence in the quality of the
show, story and music. Even if you are young, you will be surprised
at the number of songs you know,” Stevenson assures. “You hear
the songs so many times as original recordings, but very few people
are performing Buddy Holly live in any context. The performers have
gone to reasonably great lengths to do as authentic a version as
possible, and give you an experience of what those shows were like
in the 50’s. You get absorbed into the world and learn about a very
interesting character, and insight into what the rock n roll culture
was then. It had a massive impact on the development of pop music.
I think anybody who has an interest in music will enjoy the show.”
The Buddy Holly Story marks the final show at Stage West before
they close for extensive renovations over the summer. They reopen
August 297h with Married Alive. After the contractors are done
invading, surely 2009/2010 will bring more glorious shows at Stage
West.
Read an in-depth interview with The Human Statues at www.GayCalgary.
com
The Buddy Holly Story




April 23 – June 28, 2009
Stage West Calgary
www.stagewestcalgary.com
www.thehiddenstatues.com
Theatre Review
Studies in Motion
Visual Treat Wraps Up ATP Season
By Jason Clevett
The first thing you see when you walk into the
Martha Cohen Theatre is a giant image of Eadweard
Muybridge, the focus of Alberta Theatre Project’s
final show of the season: Electric Company Theatre’s
Studies in Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge. Once the show starts, a naked man walks
across the stage. Then another. A third runs across
stage, also naked. Several naked women walk across
as well. One is slightly taken aback by this – we are
in Calgary after all. You don’t exactly see a man’s
penis in every theatre production, although some
may wish life was like that.
However, you quickly get over the nudity (lots and lots of
nudity) and suddenly find yourself drawn into the story. The
show is a look at English photographer Eadweard Muybridge
who is known primarily for his early use of multiple cameras to
capture motion. What is now taken for granted with webcams,
digital recording and film was basically created by Muybridge.
In 1885 Muybridge embarked on a mission of cataloguing
animal movement and human gestures, dissecting time, and
in so doing revealed a world invisible to the naked eye. However, Muybridge is haunted by the ghosts of his past actions;
the man he killed, the child he abandoned, and the woman he
thought he knew. The play, a physically and visually explosive
spectacle, explores themes of memory, identity, and the quest
for meaning at the very beginning of our culture’s obsession
with images.
It is almost impossible to truly describe this show. Visually it
is stunning, with incredibly creative lighting, use of Muybridge’s
own photos projected on screens, and stage sets created purely
out of hologram and light. While the show clocks in at two 65minute acts, the time flies by and is over before you know it.
I have never experienced anything quite like Studies in Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge, and I’m willing
to guess, neither have you. It certainly has Calgary’s theatre
community buzzing and with good reason. Artistically brilliant,
aesthetically innovative, and truly engrossing, it isn’t a show
you go to watch as much as one to experience.
If that doesn’t have you sold, then by all means, go for the
cute naked boys. This production deserves to have an audience,
and if that is what it takes to sell tickets, then so be it! By the
time the performance is done however, you’ll be raving about it
to everyone you know.
Studies In Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard
Muybridge
 Runs until May 9th, 2009
 www.atplive.com
45
Music Review
Music Review
Hide Nothing, Workout, Scream, Perfect World
By Rob Diaz-Marino
“Hide Nothing” by Matt Alber
Matt Alber grew up the gay, white choir boy, though his
debut soul album Hide Nothing has little religious content.
His melodies tell stories that range from a 3rd grade crush
(“Field Trip Buddy”), love unravelling (“End of the World”) and
personal awakening (“Monarch”).
Reminiscent of Ben
Folds, Iron&Wine, and
Imogen Heap, all of Alber’s
songs are built on soulful vocals with lingering
melodies. The lyrics feel
like his own personal
thoughts, told with piano,
harp, strings, bassoon,
(and I’m told, Matt’s old
house keys).
Hide Nothing comes
on the heels of a 5-year
world tour with America’s
premier classical acapella
ensemble, Chanticleer, with whom he recorded two Grammy
Award-winning albums. His solo album was recorded at
home, he boasts, on Macintosh computers with co-writer/
producer Jeff Creire of Utmosis.
Many of his songs are quiet and soft like lullabies; only a
few are accompanied by minimal percussion. My favourite
songs were the opening track “Monarch”, and the soon to
follow “Field Trip Buddy”. The last half of the album I found
to be quite a snooze...literally...I took a nap and the songs
provided a pleasant backdrop that set me at ease.
Says Alber, “I feel like I’m just scratching the surface with
songwriting. I don’t have hundreds of songs. I don’t even
have 25 songs. These are my first cracks. Maybe I’ll write
some more.”
“Workout: Pumping House” by UPhonic Records
The Workout package includes a double-disc set with 16
heart-pumping tracks, and a bonus 72-minute megamix. The
album creates an intervallike workout with alternating tempos and unforgettable house vocals. Not to
mention that the album
cover features Sydneybased personal trainer,
fitness model, and former
DNA magazine cover boy,
Vinny Gough.
The timing is delicious
for us to be reviewing this
CD this month, which
features a number of
46
tracks by our cover celebrity RuPaul! For instance, “Looking
Good, Feeling Gorgeous” is a great track – used as the theme
song for NBC’s The Biggest Loser, and #1 dance download on
iTunes. And of course who wouldn’t recognize the cover track
“Workout”, although it sounds quite different as a remake of
the Frankie Knuckles house classic.
I also particularly enjoyed the joyful “Found a Cure”, and
chuckled over the lyrics to “Ding Dong (Pick Up the Phone
B*tCH)”. Though, if you enjoy retro pop mixes, you might
also quite like “Mindbuster” and many others.
The bonus CD is a single-track continuous mix that uses
many of the songs from the album. This gives you an alternative if the breaks between the tracks take the steam out of
your non-stop workout.
“Scream” by Chris Cornell
I found that the somewhat lame cover gives completely
the wrong impression about the musical journey on this CD.
Smashing a guitar seems a bit cliché, and to me brings a preconception of heavy metal. “Scream” isn’t that. It’s unique,
creative, gritty, and in my opinion bloody brilliant! If such a
cover was the result of careful planning and not a rush-effort,
the only explanation I can conceive is that it camouflages a
jewel as something ordinary so people will find it by accident
and receive a pleasant surprise.
Chris Cornell is known
as the gutsy, wailing voice
behind the multi-platinum
bands Soundgarden and
Audioslave. The fact that
such an iconic frontman of
hard rock had chosen super-producer Timbaland to
helm this new album may
come as a shock. While
Cornell provides the fiery
lyrics and rocker voice,
Timbaland brings in a cool
air of hip-hop/R&B, and
even electronica. “I have
never sounded like this,” Cornell admits, “The whole album is
a pretty radical musical departure for me. It is the highlight
of my career.”
The album starts with a strange cinematic opening sequence before launching into the irresistibly catchy “Part of
Me” – its name from its catchy chorus line, “that bitch ain’t a
part of me.”
As you continue listening, you’ll notice odd transitions be-
Music Review
tween tracks. The album plays almost like a continuous mix,
where foreshadowing of the next track begins near the end
of the previous one. But the actual change is jarring enough
that you know it has happened, almost like walking through
a door into another room.
My absolute favorite was “Never Far Away” with its cascading synths and splashy cymbals that give it a vast, almost
epic sound. I also loved the harmonies and stutter-stepped
beat in “Time”, and the ominous yet upbeat “Ground Zero”.
The last half of the album falls into a slightly tedious groove
except for the powerful “Enemy”, and the energetic finish
“Watch Out”. Then if you sit through a minute of silence,
you’ll hear the bonus track – a slow and simple lament.
“Scream” gives you the best of both worlds: hard rock without the headaches, R&B without the monotony – the result, a
modern and danceable pop fusion.
“In a Perfect World…” by Keri Hilson
Keri Hilson’s first R&B album took me a bit by surprise. I
was expecting another
CD of this genre where I
would have to feign interest and try to see beyond
my own personal tastes.
But I found a number
of the songs had some
melodic accompaniments
that made them rewarding
for me to listen to. Funny
enough, like the previous
review, Timbaland is also
credited for this creation
- maybe that explains it.
Nevertheless, Hilson renders the heart and soul of
the songs with her voice and songwriting.
“I deliver my songs with emotion,” she enthuses. “I
don’t like a lot of effects. It takes away from the emotion.
…straightforward, throwback, and old school. I don’t want
that feeling taken away. I’m so particular about those motions. I don’t want anyone to walk away from my album just
thinking, ‘that shounds nice.’ Anybody can do that. I’m
much more concerned that they walk away thinking, ‘that felt
great.’”
“Return the Favor” was the first song to make me realize this wasn’t the average R&B album for me. I found the
rich pan-pipe synths and take-off rhythms quite appealing,
though still a little repetitive. Then the next track, “Knock
You Down” really drove it home – a bouncy and joyful song
featuring a rap bridge by Kanye West, that occasionally
erupts with a frantic double-time hi-hat. Even some of the
slower numbers like “Slow Dance” and “Tell Him the Truth”
had a fair amount of appeal.
Another clump of favorites arose later on in the sequence,
with the fun, slightly oriental air of “Intuition”. It sharply
contrasted the subsequent, formidably epic sounding “How
Does it Feel” with its bold trumpets and somber choir, and
then the sweet and reflective “Alienated”.
So in my view, not bad at all, for an R&B album. It’s still
not my favorite genre, but I’m happy to have taken the time to
listen to “In a Perfect World…”.
47
Classified Ads
Classified Ad Categories
Announcements......................... 100
Anniversary............................ 110
Best Wishes............................ 120
Birthday................................. 125
Birth...................................... 130
Event..................................... 140
Lost and Found....................... 150
Memoriam............................. 160
Obituary................................ 170
Wedding/Union...................... 190
Employment............................. 200
Adult Oriented........................ 210
Audition................................. 215
Bar/Restaurant....................... 220
Business Opportunity.............. 225
Help Wanted.......................... 240
Office..................................... 260
Sales..................................... 270
Seeking Employment.............. 275
Volunteer............................... 285
Sales/Rentals............................ 300
Antique.................................. 305
Artwork.................................. 307
Appliance............................... 310
Audio/Video........................... 312
Business For Sale.................... 320
Clothing................................. 325
Computer Equipment............... 330
Furniture................................ 335
Garage Sale........................... 340
Home For Sale....................... 345
Home For Rent....................... 347
Home To Share....................... 350
Investment Opportunity........... 355
Musical Instrument................. 360
Office/Business Space............. 362
Pet/Animal............................. 365
Seeking Accommodation......... 370
Sale...................................... 372
Sports Equipment................... 375
Studio Space.......................... 377
Vehicle................................... 385
Personals.................................. 400
Club/Group............................. 410
Dating Service........................ 415
Erotic Massage....................... 420
Female Friends....................... 430
Fetish.................................... 435
Internet................................. 445
Male Friends.......................... 455
Models/Escorts....................... 460
Phone Chat............................ 465
Sightings............................... 475
Products/Services...................... 500
Aesthetics/Decoration.............. 502
Artist..................................... 505
Animal Care........................... 507
Beauty/Skin/Hair................... 510
Body Art/Tattoos..................... 512
Chiropractor............................ 515
Cleaning................................ 517
Clothing/Fashion.................... 520
Computers/IT.......................... 522
Construction........................... 525
Consulting.............................. 527
Counseling............................. 530
Diet/Nutrition......................... 532
Education/Training................. 535
Financial/Bookkeeping............ 537
Fitness/Training...................... 540
Food/Catering........................ 542
Funeral.................................. 545
Graphic/Web Design............... 547
Health/Wellness..................... 550
Insurance............................... 552
Landscaping/Gardening........... 555
Legal..................................... 557
Massage................................ 560
Medical/Dental....................... 562
Moving.................................. 565
Musician................................ 567
Photography........................... 572
Real Estate/Mortgage.............. 575
Relaxation.............................. 577
Retirement Homes.................. 580
Destinations.............................. 600
Accommodation...................... 610
Bar/Restaurant....................... 620
Culture................................... 630
Guided Tour............................ 640
Tourist Sights.......................... 670
Time Share............................. 675
Travel.................................... 680
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine - Classified Ad Form
You may submit the form below by post to:
To reduce errors, please print clearly and verify your
information before sending. All phone numbers listed
will be verified. GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine is
not responsible for errors in your ad submission.
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine
#403, 215 14th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB, Canada • T2R 0M2
Addresses placed in the classifieds are NOT placed into
the map or business listing.
Or Fax it to (403) 703-0685.
Please make cheques payable to “GayCalgary”.
Category # (above):
Months to Run:
Name:
Address:
City, Prov, Postal/Zip:
Day Phone:
Night Phone:
Date:
You may also submit your classified ad online at:
http://www.gaycalgary.com/classifieds
Visit our online discussion forums to make a free posting
for housing or employment (appears online only).
If you have questions, please call us at (403) 543-6960
or toll free 1-888-543-6960.
Payment Method
 Cheque
 Money Order
 Cash (only if paid in person)
 Credit Card (fill out below or pay online)
Credit Card Info
(AMEX ONLY*)
Name on Card:
Card Number:
Expiry (MM/YY):
* For VISA and MasterCard transactions, please visit www.gaycalgary.com/PayInvoice.aspx
Headline for Ad (add $4.00):
First 25 Words - $10.00
Additional Words - 20¢ each
Invoice
First 25 Words:
Each additional word:
Bold entire ad:
Entire ad in capitals:
Headline:
Photo: (1.66”x 2.25”)
Border around ad:
Mail Forwarding:
$10.00
$0.20
$5.00
$6.00
$4.00
$15.00
$6.00
$5.00
Single Month Cost:
Number of months:
Full Run Cost: X
=
Frequency discount:
-
3 Months=15%, 6 Months=20%,12 Months=25%
5% GST:
TOTAL:
48
+
=
Classified Ads
Audio/Video
312
How Can We Pleasure You?
of International Best Erotic Male
Massage. Appointments are available
for gays, bi-curious, and straight
guys. Massage Schedules: Mon-Fri
6:30pm-10:30pm. Sat&Sun 10am10pm. For booking or inquiry, call
403-604-1364. For more info, visit
www.roquemassage.ca
Internet
THE PLEASURE DOME - DVD, and
VHS Movies. Sales, and Rentals Toys,
Magazines, Mens, and Womens
Clothing, and Shoes. LARGE GAY, BI,
AND TRANSGENDERED SELECTION.
446A 16TH AVE NE CALGARY, AB,
T2E 1K2. (403)230-5030. Mon-Thurs
10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-Midnight,
and Sun Noon-10pm. www.
pleasuredome.ca pleasuredome23@
gmail.com
Home to Share
God loves you and created you gay.
Wisdom 11:24 - You love everything
that exists and hate nothing that you
have made. www.createdgay.com
SHIFT works with adults in the sex
trade. We provide services for both
those who do not want to exit and
those who do. Shift provides: FREE
safer sex supplies, non-judgmental
counseling, and more. (403) 2378171.
350
Roommate wanted to share large
furnished 2bdrm Apt with general
non-scene normal, fit GWM. Mt Royal
area. Seeking working mature and
responsible person. Non-Smoking,
no drugs or pets. 550 per month,
includes utilities. Available June 1.
Message (403) 541-9122
Erotic Massage
445
420
Calgary’s Premier Erotic
Male Massage!
Models/Escorts
460
Kirk. 27, 6’4”, 180, swimmer’s build.
9.5 cut, safe, clean, discrete, fun guy,
let’s play. In calls/out calls, private
downtown location. (403) 703-9354.
Animal Care
ATM Service
Business Owners: Need an ATM or
already own an ATM. We Want to
Earn your Business. 780-455-8709
or toll free 1-866-640-8830. www.
minibanks.net
Weddings and Marriages.
Immediately or by Appointment.
All vows and paperwork included.
Witness available.
• Religion Free
• Standard & Specialized
Ceremonies
• Cross Cultural
• Same Sex GLBT-TTQ
Rork Hilford MC
Marriage Commissioner for Alberta
AKA (Justice of the Peace, JP)
Marriage Officiant
Commissioner for Oaths.
[email protected] • (403) 246-4134
Cleaning
Trim your own Horses Hooves. 2 Day
Hands-On Intensive Seminars By
Certified Instructor at LAZY M RANCH.
www.lazymcanada.com
1-403-722-3053
Laser Hair Removal
New Laser Hair Removal. Virtually
pain free. Start now and be hair free
for next summer. Offering 20% off
1st treatment or 30% off package
of six treatments. Free consultation.
Call Massage For Health Clinic Inc.
403-660-2299.
Health/Wellness
517
550
Traditional Chinese medicine custom
made for your unique needs.
Migraines, back pain, insomnia,
trauma recovery - why suffer? Call
today! Dr. Beverly Osachoff, R.Ac,
DTCM. Acupuncture and Health
Group (403) 253-3103.
Legal
Calgary Civil
Marriage Centre
557
SOCIAL BENEFITS ADVOCATE:
applying/maintaining and/or
appealing WCB, AISH, EI &
CPP, Disability, Medical, Dental,
Recretation BENEFITS and MUCH
MORE. 403-313-8777, Anwar
Rehman, M.A., LL.B., D.L.L.
Canadian Immigration through
Same-Sex Partner, Skilled Worker or
Business Category also Student and
Foreign Worker process. Paralegal,
US Immigration and Commissioner
for Oaths. Staff CSIC Members.
403-590-3818
www.activeprofessionals.com
Health/Massage
560
Massage in Edmonton
Registered Massage Therapist in
downtown Edmonton. Relaxation
and therapeutic massage. Insurance
claims are welcome. For appointment
phone Dwayne at 780-483-3190 or
780-918-5856.
507
Beauty/Skin/Hair 510
Enjoy the pleasure of erotic male
massage by Calgary’s Premier
Male Masseur Reynolds - recipient
Products/Services 500
Private housekeeper, early 20’s, nice
looking. Will clean nude. Boyish
looks. Justin (403)922-9166.
Computers/IT
522
Free Blowjobs!
On-site pleasure for your computer.
Personal and Small Business IT
Maintenance plans available complimentary can of air with every
service call. Contact William, My
Computer Hero, (403) 444-0700.
Classified Ads starting
at just $10.00!
Fill out and return the form in this
magazine, or submit and pay for
your ad online at:
www.gaycalgary.com/classifieds
49
50
51
53
54
55
56
Queer Eye - Community Events
Apollo Western Cup - Calgary
57
Photography
Dee Luv Show at Prism - Edmonton (Karen Hofmann)
An Evening of Art at Prism - Edmonton (Karen Hofmann)
Stardust Lounge at Boots - Edmonton (Karen Hofmann)
The Roost Reunion at PLAY - Edmonton
58
Queer Eye - Community
Photography
Events
Girls Groove - Calgary
Kinky Flea Market - Calgary
Rubber Demonstration Night at the Calgary Eagle
Taboo Sex Show - Red Deer
59
Photography
ISCCA Coronation Week in Calgary
Photos taken at Backlot, Calgary Eagle, Money Pennies, Texas
Lounge and the Westin Hotel
60
Photography
Queer Eye - Community
Events
61
62
63

boutique corner decorative jolees photo

Transcription

Similar documents

RVDA of Alberta Monthly E

Owner User / Redevelopment

Edmonton-6.11.07 (Page 1)

puzzle - Dallas Voice

to your all access subscription

print fast facts edmonton journal - Postmedia Integrated Advertising

Twin Brooks - Community League

Brochure - Lizotte

puzzle - Dallas Voice

puzzle - Dallas Voice