Outwords 212 september 2014 by Outwords

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TURNS 20!

YOU’RE INVITED! OUTWORDS CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY ON SEPT. 12 AT FAME NIGHTCLUB

WHY A-LIST DJ TRACY YOUNG LOVES WINNIPEG

GETTING THE WORD OUT: COMMUNITY LEADERS WEIGH IN ON OUR PAST AND FUTURE

FROM SWERVE TO OUTWORDS: THE STRUGGLES OF FINDING AN IDENTITY

September 2014

Issue 212

SERVING THE GLBT* COMMUNITY SINCE 1994

Your Path

to Success STUDENT SUPPORTS

LIBRARIES / COUNSELLING AND ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES / TUTORING / DIVERSITY AND INTERCULTURAL SERVICES ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTRE / STUDENT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES / LGBTT* INITIATIVE / ABORIGINAL STUDENT SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRE / ACADEMIC ADVISING

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20 OutWords // Index

A reason to celebrate

The roles of two spirit Canadians

Editorial

National briefs

Cancer's Margins: studying GLBT* women with breast cancer Local briefs

Our GLBT* community's past and future

OutWords: a labour of love

Fighting racism in the community

A throwback to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s fashion Fashion Editorial

OutWords and Fame bring star DJ Tracy Young to Winnipeg

Your back-to-school playlist The gaylist

21 22

FemFest preview: from gang issues to GLBT* rights

The best of Culture Days The motivation behind Synonym Art Consultation

YEARS 24 26

A trustworthy trans guide

Looking back

Urban utopias

Every city has its gay

Spirituality column

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OutWords // Editorial

PUBLISHED BY THE OUTWORDS VOLUNTEER STAFF: SENIOR PRINT EDITOR : Danelle Cloutier SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR : Meg Crane SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR : Miles McEnery NEWS: VACANT ARTS EDITOR: Jessica Botelho-Urbanski FASHION EDITOR: Samanta Katz BOOKS, MOVIES & MUSIC EDITOR: Graeme Coleman FOOD AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR: Shayna Wiwierski ART DIRECTOR & LAYOUT: Dylan Bekkering ASSISTANT LAYOUT: Michele Buchanan BOOK KEEPER: Christy Elias DISTRIBUTION: Meryl Kaye De Leon & Terry Wiebe

BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR 20 YEARS By Danelle Cloutier

wenty years ago, GLBT* people were barely recognized or protected by law. By 1990, “homosexuality” was decriminalized, “homosexuals” were removed from the inadmissible classes under the Immigration Act and Quebec’s Human Rights Code included sexual orientation—that’s about all of the laws that covered GLBT* people. Socially, things weren’t much better. It was during all this social and political turbulence that Swerve (OutWords) began. As you will read on page 10, in the story about the history of OutWords, the publication began in 1994 as a push back against the inequality. Though GLBT* are more accepted today and the magazine includes more culture and lifestyle coverage than politics, OutWords today has a lot in common with its younger self. The former editors struggled with the magazine’s identity since its audience was so diverse and had to represent it as best as they could—something that we still struggle with today. Though we can’t be all things to all people in the GLBT* community, our hope is that the magazine connects and welcomes our community. I remember that not long after I came out, I picked up a Pride issue of the magazine in a coffee shop and for the first time felt totally comfortable with my identity and welcomed by the community. Our hope is that after 20 years, OutWords still has that effect.

OUTWORDS IS HIRING! Want to hone your writing skills? Looking to add some volunteer work to your resume? Have interesting things to say? Then we want you! OutWords is looking for volunteer bloggers. To apply, send an outline of what types of topics you would cover and how often you would realistically contribute, to Meg Crane at online.editor@outwords.ca.

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WEB MANAGER: Vic Hooper SALES MANAGER: Phillip Olcen COVER ART: Everyone (Dylan Bekkering) CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE: Armande Martine, Larkin Schmiedl, Shandi Strong, Ray Buteau, Adriana Mingo, Ashley Field, Katy MacKinnon, Armande Martine, Brett Owen, Ryan Jarman BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Debbie Scarborough, Kevin Hills, Darron Field, Liz Millward, Armando Perla, Darrel Nadeau, Rachel Wood, Rachel Morgan. OutWords 170 Scott St. Winnipeg, MB R3L OL3 Phone: (204) 942-4599 For office hours, please call. General Inquiries: info@outwords.ca Editor: editor@outwords.ca Creative: creative@outwords.ca Advertising: sales@outwords.ca Distribution: distribution@outwords.ca Accounts: billing@outwords.ca Event Submissions: calendar@outwords.ca Letters Submissions: letters@outwords.ca Website: www.outwords.ca OutWords provides news, analysis and entertainment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer community and its allies.GST 89671 7618RT, ISSN 1715-5606 (print) ISSN 1715-5614 (online) Canada Post Publication Licence 416 99032, Contents copyright © 2014 OutWords Alll rights reserved. OutWords is a member of the Manitoba Magazine Publishers’ Association. Articles are not necessarily the views of the staff, management, or board. We accept no liability for our advertisers’ claims.

OutWords // National News Briefs // Compiled by Katy MacKinnon

Transgender students in Vancouver Catholic schools will be able to use their preferred bathroom. Image by ParaDox and Xavax/Wikimedia Commons.

Harriette Cunningham with her new birth certificate. Photo by Sandy Aitken.

NEW TRANS POLICY IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

BIRTH CERTIFICATE GENDER REASSIGNED

VANCOUVER – A human rights complaint from Tracey Wilson, an 11-year-old transgender girl, has prompted a new policy to address gender in Catholic schools, according to CTV News. The complaint was filed when the Catholic school Wilson attended refused to comply with her request to be treated as a girl. The new policy works on a case-by-case basis and requires children and families to request gender accommodation formally, at which point a team of professionals will assess the request and devise a plan for the student. According to the policy, Catholic teaching doesn’t allow people to change their sexual or gender identity and therefore the policy will not support gender transformations.

COMOX, British Columbia – Harriette Cunningham is one of the first individuals in B.C. to receive a new birth certificate with her gender re-designated since Bill 17 was passed, according to The Province. As a young child, Cunningham identified more strongly as being female than male. After a distressing experience with a security guard, Cunningham orchestrated a letter-writing campaign to government officials urging for legislation to change—and it did. Bill 17 allows individuals to change their gender on birth certificates, regardless of whether gender re-assignment (affirmation) surgery has occurred. Cunningham is now advocating for the removal of gender on passports and birth certificates.

Canadian employers need to work harder to make GLBT* people feel at ease. Photo by nito/Shutterstock.com. Two Spirits, One Voice educates communities about two-spirit Canadians. Image from www.earthlore.ca.

TWO SPIRITS, ONE VOICE TORONTO – Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, a national charity promoting GLBT* rights, has launched a new national program titled Two Spirits, One Voice. Two-spirit people across Canada helped to create the program during a roundtable discussion in 2013. The program aims to educate youth, police and community service providers about the roles of two-spirit Canadians and their historical significance. Two Spirits, One Voice will work to make safe spaces in aboriginal communities and urban areas. The program was launched on the eve of World Pride Toronto and National Aboriginal Day as a way to convey the historical pride and acceptance of two-spirit individuals before European settlers arrived.

Give us your feedback! Please fill out a short survey to let us know how we can improve OutWords. Fill it out here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M6LD5T9

WORKPLACES NOT WELCOME BURLINGTON, Ontario – The recently released Sodexo Workplace Diversity Survey found that Canadian businesses have more work to do to embrace GLBT* employees. The survey of 1,090 employed Canadians found that 49 per cent felt that businesses should work harder to ensure GLBT* employees feel at ease being themselves at work. This number increased to 59 per cent when the question was asked among the GLBT* community. Nine in 10 employees said that regardless of sexual orientation, businesses should accept all employees. Companies that have a commitment to diversity have an easier time attracting and maintaining good employees, said 81 per cent of working Canadians.

OutWords AGM September 30 at 7:00 at the Rainbow Recourse Centre

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OutWords // Local News Briefs // Compiled by Katy MacKinnon

Accessible washroom at the University of Winnipeg. Photo from nyulocal.com.

This is similar to the card Peter Wohlgemut had in his classroom that caused outrage.Photo from www.pdxqcenter.org

TRANSGENDER STUDENTS

TEACHER ALLY AWARDED

WINNIPEG – Paul Olson, president of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, is encouraging Manitoba to develop a policy related to transgender students in light of Vancouver’s revised policy to accommodate them, according to the Winnipeg Free Press. He is advocating for a strategy that comes from the school board, rather than having schools deal with students on a case-by-case basis. The Winnipeg School Division has plans to install a gender-neutral facility in every high school and junior high in the division. So far, six high schools and one junior high in the Winnipeg School Division have genderneutral washrooms. All schools in the Seven Oaks School Division already have gender-neutral washrooms. According to a recent study, Seven Oaks has the lowest rate of homophobic bullying in Winnipeg. The division does not have a policy for pronoun use.

Michael Pearce will receive a new trial in a 2007 manslaughter case. Photo from Shutterstock.

FALSE CONFESSION? WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s highest court has ordered a new trial in the 2007 case that found Michael Pearce guilty of manslaughter for the bludgeoning death of his lover, Stuart Mark, reported the Winnipeg Sun. According to the prosecutors, Pearce became angry after finding out that Mark was HIV-positive, then Pearce beat Mark to death with a golf club. Police obtained no forensic evidence to incriminate Pearce and interviewed him several times before the final interview in which Pearce told police he may have attacked Mark. According to the defence, the police manipulated Pearce into confessing. Manitoba’s highest court has ordered a new trial on the premise that jurors were not aware of the false confession phenomenon.

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ALTONA – Peter Wohlgemut, a Grade 5 teacher in Altona, received a Special Recognition Award from the Canadian Teachers’ Federation for his efforts to make GLBT* children in his classroom feel safe, celebrated and embraced, according to the Winnipeg Free Press. In the fall of 2011, Wohlgemut took a course through the Rainbow Resource Centre and subsequently placed an “ally” card in his classroom. He received negative responses from some parents, left his longtime church and sometimes didn’t leave his house other than to go to work. Some parents requested that their children not be in his class. Wohlgemut refused to back down and has since received some support from parents.

Cancer’s Margins examines GLBT* women’s experiences with cancer. Photo from openclipart.org.

NEW STUDY SEEKS GLBT* WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER WINNIPEG – Cancer’s Margins is a national research project studying how GLBT* women and their supporters are affected by breast and gynecological cancer. Janice Ristock, professor of women’s and gender studies at the University of Manitoba, is leading the research at the Manitoba site. The study seeks out GLBT* women over the age of 18 and their over18 supporters to take part in confidential, one-on-one interviews. Interviewees will be compensated with a $25 gift certificate. Most of the interview questions will be open-ended and will cover topics such as identity issues, discrimination and inclusion, selecting health practitioners and ways of locating and sharing knowledge.

Preventing & continuing medical care including: + Hepatitis & HPV + Psychological issues + STI screening

Dr. Dick Smith Four Rivers Medical Clinic, 647 Broadway Phone: 204.786.8588

OutWords // Features

GETTING THE WORD By Armande Martine

here’s an adage that says, “You can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.” This year is OutWords (initially launched as Swerve) magazine’s 20th anniversary. As the voice for the GLBT* community in Manitoba, it is a time to stop and acknowledge those who have come before us and paved the way to the privileges our community currently enjoys; landmark achievements include gaining protection regarding sexual orientation from the federal and provincial human rights commissions, spousal benefits for same-sex couples and the right to same-sex marriage. I had the privilege of interviewing two of the community’s heavyweights who each contributed, in their own way, to the cause—Maureen Pendergast and Chris Vogel.

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After working as a broadcaster for CBC and private radio stations in Winnipeg and Calgary for 15 years, Pendergast became a house renovator and property redeveloper, specializing in working with non-profit groups to find creative solutions for the city’s core. She is as much a humanitarian as she is a proponent for gay rights. Along with her spouse, Sharon Pchajek who is a chartered accountant, they have over the years raised funds on behalf of the GLBT* community. In recent years, their impressive home has served as grand central station in the community for fundraising events and to mark important events such as same-sex weddings. Pendergast recalls the community in 1994 as much more focused and visible. “I think now with social media, the gathering spots, the physical contact the people had with each other, is lessened. Twenty years ago, there was barely even an Internet. Things like Ms. Purdy’s, Happenings, Gio’s and Pride were absolutely crucial to letting people

know they weren’t the only queer person in the world.” Services in the community were not funded by government as they are today. “It was always a difficult struggle to fund these things, a difficult struggle to pay the rent and the phone bills,” says Pendergast. “There was just not this acceptance or understanding that our community has, not just the right, but really the mandate—it’s a non-negotiable that we provide services to our own community.” In one incident, a provincial civil servant suggested that Klinic run the Rainbow Resource Centre. Pendergast remembers responding, “No, we do not go to a straight organization run by straight people serving a primarily straight community.”

OutWords // Features

SINCE 1994 Discrimination hurts and some incidents leave an indelible memory, such as the following occurrence in 1998 when Pendergast and Pchajek were attempting to obtain a mortgage to fund a project. Even though they were both working professionals, five banks turned them down. Pendergast describes the scene of one rejection, “Sharon [Pchajek] was in the [bank officer’s] office making her

Manitoba Human Rights Commission adopting sexual orientation protection into their code. In 1982, Vogel filed a human rights complaint against the Manitoba government for refusing to provide his partner with spousal benefits. When the complaint was rejected, North underwent a 59-day hunger strike in protest, but the NDP government of the day was not swayed. Finally, in 1995, the Manitoba Court of Appeals allowed Vogel and North same-sex spousal benefits. Although still active in fundraising in 1994, Vogel and North were already withdrawing themselves from the cause. “By then, numbers of other people had

pitch for our project and as soon as the nickel dropped and he realized we were a same-sex couple, he physically pushed his chair back from the desk to sort of get as far away from her as possible and [he] got an expression on his face of extreme discomfort and wouldn’t make eye contact with her anymore. Legislation may lead the way, but social change comes about after a period of time,” Pendergast explains. Pioneer gay rights activists Vogel and partner Richard North were indefatigable crusaders at a time when opposition to “homosexuals” and their rights was of leviathan proportion. They began challenging for specific rights in the mid 1970s and were instrumental in the

come along to do the various things— public education, law reform and so on; that had always been the objective of the whole thing,” says Vogel. “There were unmistakable signs that we were being successful in an enduring way.” The Rainbow Resource Centre, initially known as the Winnipeg Gay/Lesbian Resource Centre, was obtaining AIDS prevention federal dollars. Attitudes are continually improving, as indicated in polls, for example, around same-sex issues. There are still, however, some hardcore areas where prejudice and discrimination remain. Vogel names Steinbach as an example. “But those places are fewer and in predictable locations amongst rural and fundamentally religious areas where

there has been less in the way of public education and people coming out.” Vogel says it was always his view that the main engine of lesbian and gay liberation was people coming out. “The real forum wasn’t the courts or the legislatures or the streets, it was the living room. As more and more people came out, this whole process began to operate more rapidly and became more extensive.” Where will the GLBT* community be in 20 years? Both Vogel and Pendergast are very optimistic about the future, and Pendergast gives a hint as to where one of the next battles may lie. “You’re going to have the kind of housing and the kind of supportive facilities for our community as they age, which is something that is not on the map right now, but I believe that is going to come to pass.” About 20 years from now, she says: “I think we will have an openly gay prime minister.” No one wants to end up on the wrong side of history. To cite an often-used quote. Vogel says, “The irony is that you have people (straight or gay) who say they were never prejudiced and of course they were, but may now rework their own histories to pretend they were not as hostile as they once were.” He concludes on a melioristic note, “Everybody adjusts and they adjust constructively—they adjust in the right direction.” Armande Martine is a provincial civil servant, mother of three adult children and partner to Nelle. She is an advocate for LGBT* rights and equality. PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: Demonstrators at the Canadian Human Rights Commission office protesting the commission’s lack of pressure on the federal government to amend the Human Rights Code to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Photo from the Manitoba Gay and Lesbian Archives.

Maureen Pendergast and Sharon Pchajek on vacation in Galveston, Texas, in February 1988. Chris Vogel in 1980. Photo from the Manitoba Gay and Lesbian Archives.

Richard North sitting at a booth in Giovanni’s Room in 1983. Photo from the Manitoba Gay and Lesbian Archives.

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OutWords // News

WERVING THROUGH TWO DECADES By Shandi Strong

A look back at 20 years of OutWords Swerve turns 20 this year! What is “Swerve” you ask? Swerve is the magazine you are reading now. We call it “OutWords.”

wenty years ago, in an era when homophobia was the norm, a collective of gays and lesbians went through many marathon sessions discussing direction, purpose and mission statements in order to form a community newspaper with the goal of reflecting the community back upon itself. Ian King was one

of the collective of 10. They spent the summer of 1994 preparing the first issue, which “came out” that October. He recalls it as “a labour of love that was important for the community.” Greg Klassen, now King’s husband, was instrumental in getting all of the connections together for its content, advertising, distribution and editorial team. Steve Lawson is credited with naming it. The name Swerve was chosen as a portmanteau of “swish” and “nerve.” King feels the collective was angry in the beginning

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and that there was “no central focus here in Winnipeg” as in Toronto and other communities. Winnipeg didn’t have a gay village and there were only a few people that were called upon to speak on behalf of the community anytime a gay issue was in the news. The community felt that those few people who were called upon didn’t reflect the community properly. At that point the collective wasn’t even sure their paper would be accepted or read. One thing was for sure—the community was very charged and there was considerable homophobia from one local newspaper that needed to be countered. The paper began as only gay and lesbian-based but the small bi and trans communities pressured the paper to broaden its scope. The collective felt they should stick with the gay and lesbian content and write what they knew. This was an era before gay marriage was legal. Gay bars were hard to find and were membership only. There was no easy access to gay culture and the paper was, and needed to be, political and aware. Rachel Morgan, editor of the publication from 2008 to 2012, has an archive of all the early issues. “It was much

more ‘in your face’ back then.” The content was heavily geared towards the queer culture of the time, which included parties, bars and leather. “They showed more skin. It was there to entertain and make a statement.” Rick Wood, editor from 2001 to 2006 recalls, “When marriage became the prime issue, a lot of the diverse groups unified in a new way, much like they did in the early days of AIDS. And for the magazine, it gave us a constant feed of news, discussion and events to cover.” In 2005, same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada. “There was a real feeling of progress and acceptance,” said Wood. “After marriage was legalized, and the ‘us versus them’ mentality faded away, the focus was gone and there seemed to be less to talk about. Of course, it cleared the way for other issues. The political side of the magazine gave way to more cultural and lifestyle coverage. It felt like we lost something.” Because the Swerve audience was diverse, there was an ongoing struggle to determine the magazine’s identity. Wood and his team faced the challenge. “We could never be all things to all people, so we’d piss off one group one month and then appease them the next. It was a challenge,

OutWords // News

but an endlessly fascinating one.” Such struggles were commonplace with the board and staff. Charles Melvin was involved in many facets of the paper from 1999 to 2010. He was often a contributor, but served as editor for a time. “Things got contentious between members, but I don’t doubt for a second that Swerve/ Outwords has always used every resource it had available to represent as best it could our diverse community.” During his time as editor, Melvin was very aware of how difficult it was to balance all the issues with the community, and the nonprofit status. “The magazine’s razor-thin monthly budget

had me living in constant terror that should I knock out a single element, the entire organization would collapse and I’d be the guy who would bankrupt Swerve.” He credits April Friesen for helping him through those stresses. The name changed after a two-year struggle in 2007 because a Calgary newspaper had an entertainment supplement also called “Swerve.” Sadly, when the name was registered here in Manitoba, it was only done provincially and Swerve was forced to change its name. “Outwords” became the new moniker, and “Getting the word out since 1994”, its tagline. It was not all doom and gloom though; there was a lot of fun. A highlight for Wood, for example, was writing an article about cross-dressing and spending the night at Club 200 in a dress, heels and wig after getting a makeover to

really understand his subjects. Music editor Derek Penhale, recalls an April Fools edition where one reader seriously thought the mock stories were real. A sequel to “Passion of the Christ” directed by Mike Hunt, was one such story. They had a very difficult time trying to explain to one lady in particular that it wasn’t real. Heroic stories of people going the extra mile made the struggles worthwhile, such as Rick North and Chris Vogel’s story about their long fight for same-sex marriage; the emotionally charged public hearing at the Manitoba Legislature for Bill 34—the act that allowed same-sex couples to adopt; and Anne Hiebert who, at age 75, lost her lesbian partner of 14 years to a heart attack. But for Melvin, meeting Hiebert meant experiencing the spirit it takes to persevere through decades of oppression and grief. To this day, the magazine remains not-for-profit. Although it has been discussed and debated many times, the volunteers for the

magazine ultimately feel the community is served best with a free publication that’s accessible in familiar and supportive places. The list of people who have been involved with this magazine over its lifespan thus far is enormous. The consensus from everyone I interviewed, and everyone I’ve ever known that has been involved with it, is that the magazine is run by passionate, creative, talented and dedicated people. People who will keep this magazine going for readers like you no matter what we call it. Happy birthday! Shandi Strong has been active in the community for over a decade. She is a past vice-president of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Society, and currently volunteers at the Rainbow Resource Centre. She is also expanding her role in the community as an advocate for trans rights.

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OutWords // Features

MAKING

connections By Larkin Schmiedl

Bridging racial divisions in the GLBT* community

LBT* rights have come a long way, and we know there’s still a long way to go. Yet some things are continually overlooked, like the glaring gap in conversation and action around race. “It’s a major problem,” says Uzoma Asagwara, a Winnipeg woman who identifies as black.

“

He attributes this partly to Winnipeg being a small city. “I haven’t directly been on the receiving end of any overt racism in the queer community or any other community in Winnipeg. But I am on the receiving end constantly of systemic racism.... Those who have straight privilege or white privilege or cis privilege… naturally and without thinking, discriminate against me and fail to recognize that they’re doing that.” Asagwara says the QPOC group is necessary because, “(It) triggers a conversation that people (who are not directly facing the issues) have not been having.” Hogg would like to see people take the responsibility of actively empathizing. “As a community, the queer community is an oppressed community; it’s a misunderstood community and it’s being discriminated against. And so it behooves us as gay people, or whatever you want to call us all, to think about other marginalized members, and care for them.” Albert McLeod has seen some of the ways marginalization plays out on the front lines with the most vulnerable, in his work with two-spirit youth. “For aboriginal youth coming into the (queer) scene, a lot of places they get exploited,” he says. In his work as a co-director with

The intersection of gender and race is a dangerous place to be.

She’s the initiating force behind a new queer people of colour (QPOC) group that held its first dance party for QPOC and allies during Pride this year. Although Winnipeg has many strong GLBT* groups, most are white-dominated. “There’s a danger with the queer community just because the experience of being queer in itself is an experience of existing on the margins,” says a local queer woman of colour who is using the pseudonym Jill for fear of backlash. “There can be a tendency to think that because we exist in this space, we don’t have to deal with the issues like racism, or we’ve figured that stuff out. We haven’t.” Ray Hogg’s experience as a local black gay man and artistic director of Rainbow Stage, is one of finding himself in a homogenous Winnipeg culture, where the environments he works in every day are mainly made up of white people.

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Two-Spirited People of Manitoba, and the AIDS movement, McLeod has seen a lot. “There’s been a history of many aboriginal youth—they come to the city, they’re HIV-positive within a couple of years, then get discarded and then they move away to other cities, and that’s where they die. It’s life on the very fringes of society.” Winnipeg is home to the largest urban aboriginal population in Canada, and Manitoba as a whole encompasses the territory of at least 63 First Nations. Part of Two-Spirited People of Manitoba’s advocacy work is bridgebuilding between the aboriginal community and broader GLBT* community. The organization also offers workshops to schools and does research on two-spirit people’s experiences. One academic project published from the research, titled Aboriginal

recognizing racism Racism isn’t always obvious, but it is always wrong. Here are seven tips to recognizing racism and battling it. Recognize the difference between centering people of colour and indigenous people’s concerns versus tagging them on. Being truly inclusive means opening up and being willing to transform. It also means taking leadership from queer people of colour and indigenous people. Show solidarity—don’t date/sleep with people who write things like “no Asians” on their Grindr/ online dating profiles. That’s not a preference, it’s racism.

OutWords // Features

Two-Spirit and LGBTQ Migration, Mobility and Health, draws a parallel: “Colonization is sometimes presented in public policy discourse as a thing of the past.” The result, according to the report, is that indigenous people are rendered invisible and current colonization is ignored and enabled. “Similarly, some people may underestimate the effects of homophobia given the advances that have been made in Canada regarding same-sex rights. Yet the results from this study clearly show the continuing impact of colonization, racism and homophobia on many people’s lives," reads an excerpt from the study. “The intersection of gender and race is a dangerous place to be,” says McLeod, quoting a friend. Denying that racism is a problem

in Winnipeg’s queer community can only perpetuate it, says Asagwara, but being willing to feel uncomfortable means being willing to grow. The QPOC group in Winnipeg will be working hard to bring more events to the community as the year moves ahead. Dance parties, Sunday pickup basketball, open-mic nights and more are in the works. Asagwara says from there, “We’d like to formally put together a presentation for other LGBTQ organizations... on the unique issues of queer people of colour.” Larkin Schmiedl is a writer of German, Scottish and English descent who is committed to social justice and believes privilege at the expense of others hurts everyone.

fighting racism Our interview subjects offered the following advice to being more inclusive: Think about where your organization is located and whether people of colour and indigenous people live there, too. Are you inaccessible, or white-dominated, because of your location? Know that people of colour and indigenous people are the experts on their own experience. Listen. Recognize that two-spirit is not necessarily the same as being lesbian, gay or queer. It’s a culturally-specific term from another context. Also, some indigenous people identify primarily as lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, etc. Just because someone is aboriginal doesn’t mean they identify as two-spirit. Know that most racism is subtle and systemic. Overt discrimination does not need to occur for something to be racist. Expose yourself to diversity. Ask people of colour and aboriginal people what their needs are and how you can meet those. Take their answers to heart and take action to reflect that. Hire aboriginal outreach workers in your service organizations, and make sure they are not tokenized. Reflect on what makes or does not make your organization a place people of colour and aboriginal people want to work.

Two Spirit People of Manitoba at Pride Winnipeg 2014. Photo by Albert McLeod.

Recognize that experiences of homophobia and racism compound to make life harder and more limited for the people who experience them. Know that being queer does not make you immune to experiencing white privilege. It is easy for GLBT* people to see homophobia and transphobia, how social systems favour heterosexuals and cis people, and the suffering that causes. Understand how whiteness gives or denies privileges as well. Do not make statements to the effect that gays are the last oppressed minority. That’s not true. Don’t pit racial and cultural struggles against struggles for GLBT* liberation. The movements are intersected and can make each other stronger.

Recognize that people of colour and indigenous people are not responsible for educating white people about the suffering they experience due to racism. Do your own research and reading and don’t ask invasive questions. Start conversations about race with your white friends with a focus on creating a supportive space where you can ask questions and make mistakes. If someone tells you you’ve been racist, don’t take it personally or get defensive. Instead apologize and commit to doing better next time. Take the time to reflect following the incident and learn why it was racist.

Work on incorporating Elders and elders (seniors) into the GLBT* movement. Do your homework on language: terms like berdache are colonial terms used by Europeans (and subsequently academics) to refer to gay men and two-spirit people at the time of contact. The term two-spirit is a word used to reframe colonial history, since two-spirit people predate settler society. Be willing to be nervous and uncomfortable. Crossing the social lines that divide communities and uphold racism takes courage, commitment and time. Forge genuine relationships with people of colour and indigenous people.

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OutWords // Fashion

come as you are It’s no secret that fashion trends loop around, but the ‘90s comeback has been one of the most successful in the last few years. From rebellious punk-rock plaid and Nirvana tees to rap culture and oversized everything, the ‘90s never quite left. Those who are trendsetters today grew up or lived through this glorious decade and are inspired by music, films and pop culture. It’s no surprise that 20 years later, the ‘90s inspire our fashion culture today.

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OutWords // Fashion

On Vanessa: Vintage band T-shirt and leather jacket; cap by Green Apple Skateboard Shop; earrings by Topshop; shoes by Vans at Little Burgundy; and rings are stylist’s own. On Angus: Plaid shirt by Fourstar Clothing at Green Apple Skateboard Shop; shorts by Nike at Sport Chek; sneakers by New Balance at Foot Locker; wifebeater and boxers by Fruit of the Loom; and bandana is stylist’s own.

PHOTOGRAPHY, CREATIVE DIRECTION AND COPY: SAMANTA KATZ @SAMKAT STYLIST: CHANELLE SALNIKOWSKI @CHANELLESALNIKOWSKI HAIR AND MAKE-UP: ROGER MEDINA @PRO_ROGER MODELS: SWISH MODEL MANAGEMENT @SWISHMODELS GREEN APPLE SKATEBOARD SHOP: @GREENAPPLESKATEBOARDSHOP

September 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 15

OutWords // Fashion

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OutWords // Fashion

September 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 17

OutWords // Entertainment

CELEB-LOVED DJ LOVES WINNIPEG Tracy Young will celebrate OutWords’ 20th birthday By Meg Crane

J Tracy Young had the music under control at Madonna’s wedding. You may have heard her remixes of P!nk, Cher and Lady Gaga songs on the radio. She no longer bats an eye at being asked to take the DJ booth at huge celeb parties. Her name is well known with the A-list crowd and she’s been flown around the world to perform for the biggest names. But her favourite place to be is Canada. In fact, Young plans to fly into Winnipeg a few days before she’s booked to perform for the OutWords 20th anniversary party on Sept. 12 at Fame Nightclub. The star

plans to wander the city, searching for our hidden gems. Although to her, what’s great about Winnipeg is right out in the open—she was touched by the warm and friendly bar-goers who crowded into Fame for her performance a few months ago. While she had a ball inside the bar, she loved checking out the scenery at street level. “Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking,” said Young. Yes, about Winnipeg. And we’re lucky to steal her from the likes of Katy Perry, Beyonce and Britney Spears for one fabulous night. But why is she so popular with these celebs? “I often ask myself the same thing,” Young said with a laugh. Her passion for music started at a young age and has only grown. This love for beats and rhythm is something she shares with huge pop stars. “When you share a passion, people notice it.” It’s also this passion that’s allowed her to make it so far. While Young didn’t expect to

get this popular, she’s always been driven, so it isn’t much of a surprise. Even today, with her remixes playing in clubs across North America, she continues to bust her ass to pump out better tunes. In fact, a few years ago, Young stepped back from her clothing line, Ferosh, to work more on her music. “The music is pretty solid at the moment,” Young happily announced. So, expect to see more pieces added to Ferosh in the next few months as she rededicates herself to the project. Despite her dedication and hard work, it is still impressive that Young has made it this huge in such a male-dominated industry. Her advice for young women? In anything you do in life, you’re going to hear “no” a lot more than you ever hear “yes,” said Young. She certainly has. She said you need to be able to brush that off and keep going. Accept the letdowns. If you do this, no one will stop you. No one has stopped Young. Find DJ Tracy Young at Fame Nightclub Sept. 12 for OutWords’ 20th birthday party. Before Young takes over with her tunes, you’ll get to hear stories of our magazine’s history and indulge in some birthday cake at 9:00 p.m. And since you can’t give birthday gifts to a magazine, we’re giving gifts to you! Show up before midnight for your chance to get a thankyou present, including movies from Reel Pride, passes to the the Winnipeg Art Gallery, gift certificates to Lava Suntan Studios and zines from Cockroach. Meg Crane is the senior online editor of OutWords magazine and editor-in-chief of Cockroach.

We’re lucky to steal her from the likes of Katy Perry, Beyonce and Britney Spears for one fabulous night. Photo credit: Helga Esteb / lev radin / s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

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OutWords // Music

The Gaylist

THE BACKTO-SCHOOL PLAYLIST By Brett Owen

I’ll try to help make it easier to say goodbye to summer. Maybe you’re in need of a fling with a sexy classmate? Or maybe you’re planning to wear the quintessential schoolgirl outfit on your first day back. My favourite thing about the new school year is the promise of learning something, especially when it comes to new music! Here are 10 songs to help start your school year off right: Young Summer The Waves That Rolled You Under Every good back-to-school playlist has to start with a song that wistfully mourns the end of August. This one is the soundtrack of that last drive back from the cabin while you’re desperately trying not to look into the rearview mirror.

Tove Lo Not On Drugs Swedish singer Tove Lo’s debut single “Habits” was my favourite song of last year, and with recent appearances on late night TV, it looks like she’s finally ready to take North America by storm. This song can serve as a reminder to try to behave yourself while you’re easing back into your studies.

SOHN Lessons SOHN has spent most of his music career producing/remixing music for some of my favourite artists (most notably Lana Del Rey and Rhye). His debut album Tremors came out in April and is a study in emotional electronic R&B.

Lykke Li I Never Learn One of the first things you’ll learn about me is that I think the Swedes make the best music. Check out the title track from the depressing new Lykke Li album and try to tell me I’m wrong.

Röyksopp & Robyn Do It Again And if you still don’t agree, here’s more Swedish goodness for you. Frequent collaborators Robyn and Röyksopp decided to record a joint EP and go on a joint tour— and I’m so glad they did. Let this song be your anthem when you’ve been out drinking three nights in a row when you should have been studying (“I don’t wanna stop, I know I should”).

The Knocks Learn To Fly More known for their production credits and remixes, The Knocks are an insanely talented duo out of New York with a very impressive list of collaborators. Earlier this year they released an EP called Comfortable. It’s worth a download if you like thoughtful dance music.

Natalia Kills Rabbit Hole Natalia Kills is almost a caricature of a noir pop star. She’s foul-mouthed and glamorous with some catchy hooks to back it up. Her sophomore album Trouble was full of little gems, including this one about her “teaching” her new boy toy (“I’m giving him straight As as long as he’s on top of me”).

Hope you enjoy the new music! You can listen to the playlist at 8tracks.com/ havewemet/outwords-back-to-schoolseptember-2014. If you’re interested in hearing more from me follow my 8Tracks page at www.8tracks.com/havewemet. I’ll be posting a new OutWords playlist regularly!

Lucy Schwartz My Friend Part of going back to school is making new friends. Another part of it is knowing which people you just won’t get along with. This is a song about the latter and it takes the form of a playful schoolyard chant.

Banks Brain If you’re not yet familiar with Jillian Banks, it is time to acquaint yourself. After endless promo singles (you might recognize “Waiting Game” from TV ads), she’s finally releasing her debut album Goddess on Sept. 8. Check it out!

Fickle Friends Swim In the running for my favourite song of 2014, “Swim” is as buoyant as its subject matter. If you only listen to one song from this playlist, make it this one.

Brett Owen is a local contemporary dancer/ choreographer, gogo boy at Fame Nightclub and playlist curator.

September 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 19

OutWords // Arts

FOR THE LOVE OF THE STAGE

Take a chance on FemFest 2014’s diverse lineup By Ashley Field

or the 12th year in a row this September, FemFest will provide women in theatre the opportunity to showcase their talents. Presented by local theatre company, Sarasvàti Productions, FemFest 2014: She’s Got the Power aims to create a supportive environment for women where issues important to them can be discussed. The festival features readings, workshops, dance and acrobatic performances. This year’s lineup includes veteran and emerging artists who bring something different to the table. Stage manager Kaitlyn Kriss, who has been with Sarasvàti Productions for four years and FemFest for two, said there is a wide variety of shows this year, ranging from comedy to drama, which will help attract a diverse crowd. “It’s kind of all over the map, you never really know what to expect with FemFest,” said Kriss. The festival’s topics run the gamut from gang issues and sexism to GLBT* rights, yet they don’t focus specifically on a single issue. “We want to do theatre that impacts people and impacts change and creates discussion,” said Kriss. This year, local playwright and FemFest veteran Alison McLean will be presenting her play Skin Deep. It will be read aloud by four actors on Sept. 13. Skin Deep is about a 19-year-old woman who considers herself a rebel in her family. She thinks she has escaped them when she moves out at 18, only to find herself involved in planning her mother’s wedding. Five characters contribute their own conflicts in the nascent play, including one who struggles with coming out to her family. While working as a teaching assistant at the University of Winnipeg alongside Prof. Cairn Moore, McLean studied the play Angels in America with her class. The group discussed the question of coming out to family and whether it remains a 20 // www.outwords.ca // September 2014

We want to do theatre that impacts people and impacts change and creates discussion.

8 Ways My Mother Was Conceived, written and performed by Michaela Di Cesare (Montreal).

difficult thing to do today. They agreed that although times have changed and there seems to be a lot more support for the GLBT* community, it’s still very difficult to come out to your family, your parents in particular. “While there is obviously a lot more awareness, and a lot more support, even celebration of alternative lifestyles now, it still seems to me that that critical moment when a child tells their parents that they’re gay or lesbian or transgender is still a difficult thing to do,” said McLean. “That part hasn’t changed, necessarily.” McLean hopes her play will tackle issues of rebellion, stereotyping and how to cope with these kinds of conflicts in your family. “I encourage people to come and listen and give feedback and experience something different in theatre if they haven’t before,” said McLean. For FemFest newcomers, Kriss said the festival’s opening and closing cabarets are a good way to experience a whole grab bag of different acts. But other than taking in the cabarets, she encourages people to just take a chance on a show. FemFest runs from Sept. 13 to 20 at the University of Winnipeg Asper Centre for Theatre and Film. For more information, visit sarasvati.ca. Ashley Field is a local journalism student, painter and blogger at ajvfield.com. Herewithal: A Paranormal Comedy by Tara Travis (Vancouver).

OutWords // Arts

Photos by Gaune Studios

3 TO SEE: CULTURE DAYS Winnipeg’s fifth fest celebrates contemporary art in the community By Jessica Botelho-Urbanski

y the end of September, we will probably all need an escape from work or school as summer officially loses its cool. So prepare to lose yourself on a weekend art binge; Culture Days happens Sept. 26 to 28. In Manitoba, this will be the fifth anniversary of Culture Days—a budding festival that first got going in Quebec, as French-Canadians began staying up all night to get artsy in 2007. Now a national sensation, Culture Days has registered more events in Winnipeg over the last two years than in any other city across the country. The events run the gamut from exhibit openings to rooftop concerts, theme parties and late-night shows. For a full list of registered events in Manitoba, visit culturedays.ca. In no particular order, here are three to see at Culture Days this year.

1. Intro to Mosaics at the Exchange Community Church

2. The Midnight Choir at The Cube

3. Nuit Blanche at the Winnipeg Art Gallery

Doug Wiebe is one talented craftsman who also works as the pastor at the Exchange Community Church. During Culture Days, he opens his doors to show how he crafts intricate mosaic sculptures and invites guests to make their own works of art. Made of broken dishes, tiles, mirrors and whatever other ceramic material he may find lying around, Wiebe’s sculptures are beautifully brokendown mosaics, many of them crafted on mannequins. While breaking dishes might be fun (when it’s done on purpose), it’s also extremely difficult to do with precision, as first-time mosaic-makers will attest after Wiebe’s workshop.

If you’re musically inclined (or not), the Midnight Choir wants you to join them in song. At The Cube in Old Market Square on Sept. 27, the choir will perform a couple of numbers, which were still being decided upon as of press time. Past sing-alongs have included “Rasputin” by Boney M. and “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young. You can preview the Culture Days tracks on the Midnight Choir’s Facebook page before the event (and maybe learn them before, too, if you feel so inclined). Lyric sheets will be provided at The Cube, thankfully.

While the WAG’s all-night party on Sept. 27 is arguably the attention hog of Culture Days events, it really can’t be missed. Especially not this year as the WAG unveils two new exhibits on the 27th: Dali: Up Close, showcasing surrealist Salvador Dali’s finest works; and Masterworks from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery—a series of paintings from the Canadian artists, Group of Seven. Paired with DJs, dancing and interactive craft stations, you can’t go wrong with a pitstop at Nuit Blanche at any time of night. Jessica Botelho-Urbanski is the arts editor of OutWords and a journalism student at Red River College.

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September 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 21

OutWords // Arts

THE C NNECTING

FORCE Chloe Chafe and Andrew Eastman of Synonym Art Consultation. Photos by Anthony Nelson.

ndrew Eastman and Chloe Chafe are a charismatic duo. They grew up together in Riverview and worked together at Bistro 7 1/4. While at the restaurant, they realized they shared the same goals and dreams. “We found love,” Chafe said with a laugh. “We were a really good team. It just kind of made sense.” The pair decided to collaborate to make their own work of art—Synonym Art Consultation. Synonym specializes in promoting and selling local artists’ works in unconventional spaces. Though neither Eastman nor Chafe has any business training, they are both artists, hence they can relate to their clientele. “We represent young, up-and-coming artists in the city,” said Eastman. “We campaign for them to get their art put up in restaurants, bars, hair salons, different public venues and art galleries. We always launch each event with a big party, music, drinks and food. “We take care of all of the sales and liaise between businesses, the community and the artist.” The majority of artists Eastman and Chafe work with are people they already know, but they don’t limit themselves to representing friends. “We’re always keeping our eyes and ears open in the community—going to art shows, keeping an eye on social media and what people are creating,” said Eastman. Synonym has worked with more than 30 artists, handpicking some of them and receiving portfolio submissions from others. “Artists are sort of notoriously 22 // www.outwords.ca // September 2014

Synonym Art Consultation promotes local art in unique spaces By Adriana Mingo

bad at promoting their art and valuing their art to the level that is should be,” said Eastman. One of Synonym’s artists, Anthony Nelson, is also Eastman’s long-time partner. “That was a big part of it for me was seeing the person I love most struggling in the art world to get his stuff out there. I naturally took on that sort of role of representation for him,” said Eastman. “That was another big piece as to why we started—the personal connection between me and my partner and all of our friends and seeing that they could use a hand (doing) what they aren’t the best at.” Eastman and Chafe draw big audiences to their events by repurposing spaces that already have steady business traffic. They held their first event in April 2013 at The Hive Hair Company and have also hosted events at The Park Theatre and Deseo Bistro. “A lot of our base is people who wouldn’t go to a gallery opening necessarily,” said Chafe. So instead, Synonym throws a big art party. “It’s kind of this cool thing that people are taking pictures at. It’s a big celebration and not just an intellectual art discussion,” said Chafe.

After the art party is finished, the client’s art is displayed and rotated approximately every four months, that way there is a continuous flow of different artwork. “We’re creating these environments that have a lovely experience, where (visitors) can take a piece of art home afterwards and have these great memories attached to it,” said Eastman. Though their business is still gaining speed, Synonym has had a steady flow of clientele. “A lot of the artists we’ve worked with say that they’ve sold the most art through us,” said Eastman. “One of our favorite things is the day when we bring paycheques to the artist and say ‘You just sold three pieces and here’s $500,’” he said. “So far it’s been a win-win-win situation for everybody involved.” Adriana Mingo is a Creative Communications student at Red River College with a passion for all things art and pop culture. You can follow her on Twitter at @eleanorrigby27.

FAME

OutWords // Books & Movies

OutWords // Fashion

A TRUSTWORTHY TOOL FOR TRANS EDUCATION Trans advocate and educator reviews Trans Bodies, Trans Selves By Ryan Jarman

cademic literature about trans people is often written by folks who don’t have the lived experience, so I’m usually skeptical when something new lands on my desk. There are times I’ll need to close a book, take a Tylenol and go for a walk. Reading Trans Bodies, Trans Selves was different. The first thing going for this book, edited by Laura Erickson-Schroth and introduced by Jennifer Finney Boylan, is that it was carefully crafted by people who are already powerful voices within the trans community. The voices of the contributions come from nearly every corner of the world. The 649-page guide is comprehensive

and shows great competency on important issues, including everything from hormones, surgery and identity to sex, relationships and addictions. It’s a wonderful and long overdue Jennifer Finney Boylan wrote addition to the field the introduction to Trans Bodies, Trans Selves. of social sciences, law and medicine, considering the lack of knowledge and education on trans issues in academic institutions. This textbook

As a trans person, educator and advocate for trans rights, I can say that this guide is informative, up to date and a necessary tool for healthcare providers, current and future.

is an open gate through which a new generation of physicians, social workers, psychologists, sociologists and other health service providers can become sensitive to the unique Laura Erickson-Schroth, issues transpeople editor of Trans Bodies, Trans Selves face. As a trans person, educator and advocate for trans rights, I can say that this guide is informative, up to date and a necessary tool for healthcare providers, current and future. This guide also covers often neglected subjects, such as end of life, assisted living, disability and seniors. It also has a rich section on the arts and how trans people have expressed historical and current issues through literature, acting, music and comedy, to name a few mediums. Most of all, this guide is written in a warm, compassionate way, straying from the academic norm. Though lengthy, it isn’t a difficult read. It remains interesting, thought-provoking and is easy to understand. The guide is available in print and also on Kindle through Amazon. You can order the book directly from the website at www. transbodies.com, or through the Oxford University Press. Ryan Jarman is a Winnipeg-born-and-raised, Vancouver-based freelance writer.

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OutWords // Fashion

OUTWORDS TURNS September 12

Featuring DJ Tracy Young 9:00 p.m. doors open Tickets $10 9:00 p.m. stories about OutWordsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; younger years and birthday cake. OutWords will be handing out birthday gifts before midnight, so come early!

OutWords // Columns & Opinions

Every City Has Its Gay

TEMPORARY GETAWAYS A roundup of some of the best urban escapes around the world

e often wonder if life is better elsewhere, or how living in Winnipeg compares to living in other cities. This column is an ongoing exposé looking into what makes Winnipeg, among other cities, great choices for a gay man to live his life. This month, we are motivated by the isolating character of winter. Before it creeps in, we explore three prime examples of urban escapes that can help you reconnect with your surroundings.

The exotic allure of the Islands Text and photos by Braden Alexander

was sitting on a dock dipping my feet in Lake Ontario while looking at the CN Tower and the skyline lit up on the distant shore like a chain of cigarette smokers. I felt Canadian and surprised to find this cottage-y place so close to the core of Canada’s largest city. This was not the concrete jungle I expected to find when I moved to Toronto. I was at a house party on Ward’s Island, one of a boomerang of small islands

that sit only a 10-minute, $7 ferry ride away from the core of downtown Toronto. Some of the islands, like the one I was on, are neighbourhoods in and of themselves, where annoyingly fortunate people live in homes that look like Victoria Beach cottages. Besides one small airport, the rest of the islands are mostly parkland, with paved bicycle trails leading to leafy picnic spots and long stretches of beach.

26 // www.outwords.ca // September 2014

Since that first time, I’ve returned to the island often and dreamt of it even more. I biked its length on dates with my first Toronto boyfriend, staring at his old fashioned-looking ass in rolledup shorts. After we broke up, I fled to the island to make myself feel better and strolled the nude beach with a hulking Mexican (it worked). During Pride, I went with my two best friends and we drank sangria from jars, cruised halfheartedly and took pictures of each others’ butts. It is, for me—

car-less and money-less—the easiest way to leave Toronto when the city starts to overwhelm me. “We need the possibility of escape as surely as we need hope,” said American essayist Edward Abbey. He’s right, of course, and I suspect I’m not the only one in this swelling city who would go starkraving mad without the thought of those peaceful islands, waiting patiently for me across the water.

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OutWords OutWords // Columns // Lifestyle & Opinions & Food

For urban hipsters seeking maple trees and waterfalls

A Gimli Beach experience Text and photos by Eric Plamondon

Text and photos by Eric Plamondon

ortland, Oregon is a city overflowing with hipster fashion, brewpubs with IBU charts and bicyclists. Yet, only a short drive away from Portland can land you in a different type of utopia with Douglas firs, waterfalls, walking trails and marble bathrooms. The Columbia River Gorge is about a 20-minute drive from Portland, Oregon and grants you access to a very important riverway set in the Cascade Range of mountains. Any trip to the gorge must include a few vista moments to take in long-range views, which are rare in the hills and typical of the Cascade Range. Stop at the Vista House and have one last pee before you embark on your treks; the marble bathroom makes this not only logistically clever, but also aesthetically lavish. There are many mountaineering treks available, but no need to trade

in non-practical hipster attire for trekking gear; there are many easy treks to be done for people of all capacities. In fact, it’s easy to do nine waterfallcentred treks in the span of one afternoon. Multnomah Falls is probably the most wellknown among them and has a 100-year-old bridge that makes for a great selfie spot. But it’s not the only trek-worthy waterfall along the route. The rest are up to you to discover. If it’s possible to get bored with waterfalls, you can also diversify your day trip by stopping at a fish farm to feed trout or to be awed by the prehistoric living creatures called sturgeon (technically, they are fish). And since you are close to the Columbia River, why not buy a freshly-caught sockeye from a local fisherman as you head back home to where a growler—a glass jug full of micro-beer—is waiting for you in the fridge.

he tip of my nose is cold. It smells of OFF! and sunscreen. Bits of sand have made their way into various spots in my pants. The speakers offer the serenading sounds of Seu Jorge. He is snuggling by my side for warmth, for comfort and because we feel safe to do so here. A Berber blanket lies under us. A thermos of half-drunk Mexican cocoa sits on one side. A Nalgene bottle that could still offer a few glasses of Malbec sits on our other side. Two women in beach chairs slightly block our view of the movie screen suspended on water as they shift into each other, so that they too can find warmth as the beach grows colder and the darkness grows deeper. The Milky Way overhead is a distraction from the movie; the Big Dipper hidden amongst the vast number of stars, the thrill of spotting Orion’s Belt and the glee of allowing my imagination to complete the image of the mythological hero. A distant lightning storm illuminates the horizon across the still lake that looks more like an ocean. Fresh pickerel sits in my belly. So does an adult helping of my favourite boyish blue liquorice ice cream. A tuque from H.P. Tergesen’s keeps mosquitoes and fish flies off my head. My mind wanders to recently-viewed golden fields of canola, green flax fields, the dancing wheat fields; all ushering us farther and farther away from the urban island of Winnipeg. A smile comes across my face as I remember the young boy tossing fish to the dusk pelican from earlier, boy and bird simply happy to have caught something. The silhouette of the Viking warrior of Gimli is replaced by the silhouette of my partner, both equal in strength, equal in how they stand legendary in my mind. Him standing over me, pulling me up and out of my remembering, so that we can make the short trip home back to Winnipeg, content to have escaped the city, if only for the day. Compiled by Eric Plamondon, a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.

September 2014 // www.outwords.ca // 29

OutWords // Coulmns & Opinions

Now & T Spirituality

Then

wenty years ago, those working on the first issues of OutWords, then called Swerve, were in their 20s, 30s, 40s and a few beyond. We didn’t have the social media technology of today to contact like-minded seekers nor as many avenues to voice our concerns and opinions. But we did have a community church on Broadway with our rainbow choir, not quite as large as it is today. The first issue supplied much appreciated information, including want ads and needed roommates (as in accommodations). There were articles about individuals in the community and their diverse lives. Today, a Google search or a Facebook check will give the same info with even more photos. Our activists needed to be more militant and courageous because they had fewer supports than those of today, who are theoretically supported by the mainstream community and yet are exposed to bullying and rejections. Today our Pride parades are longer, more inclusive and much more diverse in sexual expressions. Our clubs attract a more accepting crowd and even our baths

By Ray Buteau

can be co-ed. As diverse and inclusive as the articles in OutWords strive to be, there is a sense of our spirituality threading its way through our climbing, achieving, performing, and succeeding mentality. A spirituality is developing in which we know and trust that some type of power (however we call it) is beyond our own efforts, is moving us to go beyond an inflated and arrogant ego to turn towards compassion for all beings. In the spirituality column, Danny deals with different ways of knowing and how they relate to self-awareness to help him come to a point of self-acceptance. Tom learns that everyone’s experience of a type of power (however we call it) is unique because of our own unique experiences, for which we need to learn gratitude. A spiritual writer says that the word “God” is a symbolic term that points to the mystery of the universe. Tom learns he can’t attain the presence of God, since he is in the presence of God and what’s absent is his awareness of the presence. And when Jan meets with Danny and Tom, forming the “three amigos,” they remember together that they are on a

Today’s victories are because of yesterday’s struggles.

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journey, individually and together, and that their perspectives are part of the journey but not the whole journey. It would be important for us to remember the wisdom of our indigenous people who see mother earth not as an “it” to exploit, but as a relationship of respect. Respect being the key word in the relationship of the three amigos. Twenty years ago, I remember articles about our aging community and the critical need to address issues of health care and housing. Those who wrote those articles 20 years ago must find them even more relevant today as we continue to address similar issues. The adversities that we face, both individually and as a community, raise issues that become a life purpose for many of us. And our life choices to speak out about our hurts and concerns come from a compelling inner voice to take a leap forward. Danny, Tom and Jan are becoming more self-aware. And one of the most important kinds of awareness is the awareness of injustice, an issue that our community knows only too well. OutWords serves as a voice to make us aware that our community needs a sense of connection, a family spirit. Congratulations on your 20th, thank you and Namaste. Ray Buteau is a former Catholic priest and author of the book No Longer Lonely. You can visit Ray’s website at www.raybuteausweb.com.

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