Xtra, Vancouver's Gay and Lesbian News

FOLK FEST Queers to watch on stage ›17

RCMP VS BDSM Officer targeted for liking kink ›9

VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

PRIDE ON TRACK, VPS SAYS New team optimistic ›10 #493 JULY 12, 2012

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Queer ARTS FEST Noam Gagnon dares to dream at three-week celebration ›20

COMMENT 6 XCETERA 7 NEWS 9 OUT IN THE CITY 17 XPOSED 25

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Roundup JULY 12, 2012

T R I A L L AW Y E R S

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NEWS

Council approves 1401 Comox After two years of heated debate among West Enders, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and a majority of city council voted June 27 to allow the development of a 22-storey apartment tower on Comox St. Opposed: Green Councillor Adriane Carr and NPAers George Affleck (above) and Elizabeth Ball.

›11

NEWSFRONT

ONLINE

RCMP officer investigated for being kinky

Dancer Brian Webb’s aging queer body

This will cast a chill over the BDSM community, activists warn. ›9

Recently shocked by a sudden, massive heart attack, 61-year-old Brian Webb dances a self-portrait of defiance and discomfort in Dancing on the Edge, July 11 and 12. ›xtra.ca›vancouver

Pride on track, new president says Despite a difficult start to 2012 — when a majority of Vancouver Pride Society members ousted the previous directors — preparations are on track for this summer’s celebrations, says the organization’s new president. ›10

OPINION

His and his automatic debt (and assets)

The

Pin Button Project

An interactive online exhibition and oral history project featuring pin buttons from the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives.

Have you told your story?

If you are in a common-law relationship, be prepared to share half of your property with your partner and to be liable for half of his or her debts if you ever separate under the new Family Law Act, warns lawyer Dennis Dahl. ›13

OUT IN THE CITY

Folk Fest queers Xtra’s primer on this year’s queer artists playing the queer mecca known as the Vancouver Folk Festival. ›17

pinbuttons.ca

Kandola back behind bars The man convicted of attacking Jordan Smith for holding hands with another man on Davie St in September 2008 is back behind bars. ›xtra.ca›vancouver

REGULARS

Commentary ›6 Xcetera ›7 Xposed ›25 COLUMNS

Naked Eye Natasha Barsotti ›6 Ask the Expert Dr Pega Ren ›15 Blitz & Shitz Raziel ›23 The Stuffington Post Graeme Gerrard ›34

CARTOONS

The Brotherhood Tyler Dorchester ›33

LISTINGS

twitter: @pinbuttons www.facebook.com/ThePinButtonProject COVER PHOTO BY CHRIS RANDLE

Parties ›24 Meetings & groups ›24 Art, festivals & performances ›24

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XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

editorial › feedback › debate

Comment Seize this moment Naked Eye Natasha Barsotti

A

LMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, Tim Richards, Dara Parker and Stephen Regan have become the respective heads of Pride, Qmunity and the West End BIA. A rare confluence of leadership change in key community organizations that presents opportunities to think, act, reach out and chart new courses creatively — and dare we dare — collectively.

So far, the audio from all three sounds promising.

Take Richards, who says he’s a big believer in supporting people to be successful.

“I believe if we can get to a point where we can take that passion and energy and figure out how we do more and greater things within and outside our community, these are the types of conversations I’d like to see more of. Less about the past conversations.”

Well . . . yes. And no.

Yes, because the problem with many of the “past conversations” is the habit they have of degenerating into noisy, futile negativity. I’m sure we can all do with fewer reports of multiple resignations, accusations of bad blood at the board level and acrimony over what bylaws mean and don’t mean.

But keeping history in mind in the movement forward can be handy. It provides an informative, if not always heeded, reminder of what ought not to be repeated.

Case in point: the chaotic leadup to London’s recently concluded WorldPride festivities. Initially fuzzy about whether there were problems or not, host Pride London, with mere days to go, shockingly announced it was pulling cars and floats from the July 7 parade, reducing it to a procession; cancelled official events in the gay district of Soho; and time-proscribed a planned rally at Trafalgar Square due to a funding shortfall.

Reports on the weekend celebrations suggest the event was still a success, despite the significant downsizing, heavy rains and the loud blame game that emerged over who bore responsibility for the crisis.

Depending on who you ask, fault is angrily levelled at the feet of London’s Conservative mayor and city authorities for not doing more to bail out the floundering event, the Pride London board, or both.

The blurry truth lies somewhere in the mélée.

But one particular thread of the acrimony caught my attention: the belief in

some quarters that as a community organization responsible for shepherding the event, Pride London had lost its way.

“Poor leadership is what led us into this situation, and wholesale change is the only way in which we’ll resurrect Pride going forward,” writes James-J Walsh, a former Pride London associate director.

“It’s not like London is devoid of either LGBT commercial events, or activism,” Walsh notes. “What a successful event needs to do is draw all of these elements together, as a community that celebrates difference, but also unites.”

Point taken.

Let’s rejig that formula.

A thriving, vibrant queer community needs to bring all its elements together.

It needs to recognize its differences while being committed to fostering collaboration and — yes, that hackneyed, elusive goal — unity.

At a time when there’s increasing movement of community out of gay villages and into the mainstream, our organizations do not have the luxury of maintaining a parochial approach to the way they do their business or their activism.

There’s certainly no shortage of individuals here committed to fostering inclusive community.

Hearing her friends speak of the dearth of Pride events for trans people, people of colour and those with various accessibility needs, promoter Pussy Liquor came up with Genderfest to bring together existing events “so that everyone can participate in their community during Pride.”

Then there’s recent Simon Fraser University graduate Paige Frewer, who cospearheaded This is Your Q to collectively brainstorm three critical questions: What matters most to our community? What are the most pressing local queer issues?

How can we better unify to address them?

Why can’t our long-standing organizations, now under new leadership, take a page from Genderfest’s and This is Your Q’s outreach books?

WEBIA and Qmunity’s new leadership say they’re in strategic planning mode.

Richards is all over the idea of ensuring good governance moving forward with Pride.

Promising.

But as the folks behind Genderfest and This is Your Q recognize, what’s needed is innovation, gushes of fresh energy, and willingness to seriously engage with the myriad constituencies that make up our whole.

We have, potentially, an opportunity for imaginative reinvigoration. The least we can do is indulge in a little carpe diem.

Natasha Barsotti is staff reporter for Xtra’s Vancouver edition.

“The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian people daring together to set love free.” Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 1033 Davie St, Ste 501, Vancouver, BC V6E 1M7.

INBOX Love the sinner I T WO U L D B E M O R E c r e d i b l e a n d h o n e st [“Westside Church Says Homosexuality Is a Sin,” xtra.ca, June 19] if Funk and his ilk qualified their statements with “In my opinion,” which is how he should have prefaced his remark that “both the Old and New Testaments clearly prohibit homosexuality.”

The fact is many, many Christians would disagree with that interpretation and would say that in their opinion neither the Old or New Testament prohibit same-sex attraction. Additionally, his point about homosexual temptation could also be made about heterosexual temptations, so why only preach against same-sex attraction?

What is worrisome to me is how the predominantly young congregation is being influenced by Funk when he speaks from a position of authority in which he makes himself the final arbiter for what the Bible says, even when his message is sweetened with the “love your neighbour as yourself” cherry on top.

Lisa Salazar Vancouver, BC HOW IRONIC THAT NORM teaches “love your neighbour regardless of who they are,” while the people who’ve responded to this article think it’s okay to respond to him with unkindness at best, or with hatred at worst.

Yes, this topic is extremely personal, but Norm isn’t attacking anyone personally. Rather he is sharing what the Bible has to say to a group of people who have chosen to listen.

Those who have responded to this article by personally attacking Norm represent people who probably actually have a problem with the Bible. If anyone cares to read it you will see that Norm hasn’t given his opinion or put his willfully controversial take in the Scriptures.

Instead he humbly shared the biblical truth about a sensitive and emotionally charged topic.

So instead of attacking him, perhaps we could respond the way we want him to respond to our personal opinions. Maybe we could all practise tolerance (which doesn’t mean acceptance) and love regardless of our feelings about the article.

Lisa Vancouver, BC I LOVE THE WAY THIS preacher rationalized his prejudice. He may not call it hate, but deep down it is. To say that you love the sinner and hate the sin is a cop-out. You cannot separate the person from their sexuality.

It is also very condescending to preach that your sexuality is purer and ordained by god. Surely the Arts Club, with its many gay actors and employees, should reexamine renting the space out to someone who

TO SAY THAT YOU LOVE THE SINNER AND HATE THE SIN IS A COP-OUT.

Send your correspondence by mail to 1033 Davie St, Ste 501, Vancouver V6E 1M7, fax 604-684-9697 or email comment@xtra.ca.

does not see gay people as equals.

Nat Nasci Vancouver, BC

Christy inferno CHRISTY DESERVES TO GO down in flames [“Christy Clark Poised to Go Down in Flames,” Xtra #491, June 14]. The Liberals, and particularly Clark, have done nothing to protect and support queer and questioning youth in schools. From the government’s own Safe Schools Task Force report in 2003, which recognized that homophobia and racism in schools were top concerns, to Clark’s false promises to make anti-gay bullying in schools a high priority, we’ve seen absolutely no leadership from this party.

Conversely, the Liberals in Ontario have passed an equity and inclusive education strategy as well as Bill 13 (Accepting Schools Act), which provide specific, legislated support to queer students and timelines and targets that every school board must adhere to.

Here in BC, we’ve seen 19 of 60 school boards pass LGBTQ policies at the bequest of students, parents and teachers. The Liberal government has done nothing to support these efforts and shown absolutely no leadership on this issue provincially. They’ve even ignored their own ministerial order in 2007 to ensure that all code of conduct policies in schools explicitly protect LGBTQ students.

Our youth are our future within the queer community. They will be our leaders someday, and they deserve to be supported and fully accepted in our schools. As an education activist and a vice-principal I’m deeply disappointed in the Liberal Party. For Christy’s lies to LGBTQ students she deserves to go down in flames.

James Chamberlain Vancouver, BC AS I RECALL, BC WASN’T some kind of paradise when the NDP were in power, so let’s not get our hopes up. Tax and spend were the words we used when Mr Dix was Mr Clarke’s chief aid. “A change of rulers is the joy of fools.”

Alfred Vancouver, BC

The community’s job is to attract funding, not demand it. Success in this area will require stepping out of victim thinking and moving into the language of success.

What is then required is a believable and professional board who have a combination of money, clout or great experience. Donor agencies of all kinds take a very close look at the professional capability of any organization looking for funding.

They want to be convinced that the organization is stable, fiscally responsible, has community support and has already attracted start-up large-scale funding commitments — likely around $3 to 4 million from a few gay or gay-friendly donors or corporations. These do exist in our community.

A community campaign raises the rest of the funding through corporate donations, “buy a brick” fundraisers, naming opportunities and other events. A commitment of this level convinces our politicians that there is serious support for the initiative. Politicians only support projects for which there is a very clearly expressed political will, community need and community financial support.

I would like to see an “umbrella” facility housing a number of gay community agencies. This would allow certain costs to be shared and encourage daily dialogue. The space should include an attractive conference facility for, say, 200 people, which can morph into a rental space suitable for dances, weddings, etc.

In addition to offering social services to those in need, the facility should be attractive to people who are not particularly in need, even though we all need friends and places to meet, but who just want to have fun. I’m talking fully employed, probably professional people who have surplus funds to spend on what they like.

We need a space where glamorous events would be at home, where, for example, art exhibitions can be presented, where yoga classes and movie premieres can both be held.

Serving both those in need through social services and those who want to have fun provides an incredibly vital continuum. The big question is, are you truly ready?

Michael Harding Vancouver, BC

Ready for new Thanks QQ community centre?

I RECENTLY SHARED MY THERE HAS BEEN A REemergence of discussion recently about what a community facility could be [“Interest Lost in OUR Spaces,” Xtra #488, May 3].

As a successful professional fundraiser, I’m certain all three levels of government would contribute matched funding to support a gay community centre if the community raises its share.

(lesbian) appreciation of Kevin Dale McKeown’s historical anecdotes [“Still QQ,” Xtra, monthly column] with a gay man friend who concurred that the column is his, and my, primary reason for opening up an issue. Forty years ago I relied on QQ for my forays into the gay scene and now relish his tales about characters I recall, too.

Lyn Guy Vancouver, BC

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noteworthy › updates › ephemera

Xcetera IN BRIGHTEST GAY

Green Lantern comes out

When DC Comics first announced that one of its most famous characters was coming out, folks on the internet went on a collective bender trying to figure out who it might be. After much sleuthing, DC confirmed the long-standing rumour that Alan Scott, a rebooted version of the original Green Lantern who lives on Earth 2, is gay. Hmmm . . . a guy who gets his power from jewellery and has a weakness against wood? I’m not seeing it. — Jeremy Fiest

JUST SAYING

BUY THE NUMBERS

Paying the rentboys In the interest of, um, research, we checked out the numbers on rentboy.com to see how they stack up across the country.

NUMBER OF RENTBOYS PER PROVINCE

24 BC

4 AB

27 QC

42 ON

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The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.

—CNN’s Anderson Cooper finally comes out publicly in an email to blogger Andrew Sullivan on July 2.

LITERARY AWARD

BUZZ

TOP 5

AVERAGE HOURLY RENTBOY RATE ACROSS CANADA

Vancouver stories on xtra.ca, June 2012

JESSIE AWARD

ZAZA!

SERGEI BACHLAKOV

Actor (and Xtra freelancer) Greg Armstrong-Morris took home a welldeserved Jessie on June 25 for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role, for his tour-de-force take on Zaza in La Cage aux Folles last November.

Congratulations, Greg!

You are what you are!

—Robin Perelle

1 2 3

Christy Clark poised to go down in flames

Natasha Barsotti

Westside Church says homosexuality is a sin Richard J Dalton Jr Gay refugees likely rejected if new Canadian bill passes

Nathaniel Christopher

4 5

St Paul’s doctor allegedly mistreats trans man Doerthe Keilholz Comedian Darcy Michael stays true to his skinny new self Robin Perelle

Amber Dawn wins again After winning a prestigious Lambda Award last year for her debut novel, Sub Rosa, Amber Dawn’s work was recognized again in June, this time by the Writers’ Trust of Canada. The Dayne Ogilvie Prize, named for a former managing editor of Xtra’s Toronto edition who died in 2006, each year recognizes an emerging queer Canadian writer whose body of work shows great potential. “Canada has outstanding queer authors and readers. I’m honoured to be recognized amongst such talent. Winning the Dayne Ogilvie has offered me inspiration to keep writing,” says Amber Dawn, who is also programming director for the Vancouver Queer Film Festival. —Robin Perelle

Above: Amber Dawn signs her award-winning book for artist Robin Pacific, who established the Dayne Ogilvie Prize.

KATRINA AFONSO

BREAKING NEWS › POLICE TRY BUT FAIL TO STOP DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PRIDE MARCH > CASH-STRAPPED WORLDPRIDE IN TROUBLE > DO YOU BAREBACK? > TRUE BLOOD’S JOE MANGANIELLO TALKS ABOUT GETTING NAKED > UKRAINE VOTE ON ANTI-GAY GAG BILL REPORTEDLY SHELVED MORE AT XTRA.CA

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RCMP officer targeted for being kinky

Freedom is having nothing left to hide

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THE ISSUE: David P Ball, Dennis Dahl, Tyler Dorchester, Jeremy Feist, Graeme Gerrard, Jeremy Hainsworth, Shimon Karmel, Shauna Lewis, Jess Munitz, Raziel, Pega Ren, Denise Sheppard ISSN: #1198-0613 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED IN CANADA ©2012 PINK TRIANGLE PRESS. XTRA IS PUBLISHED EVERY TWO WEEKS BY PINK TRIANGLE PRESS

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dispatches › issues › opinion

Upfront GAYBASHING

QUEER COMMON-LAW COUPLES WILL SEE THEIR RELATIONSHIPS REDEFINED IN UNWANTED WAYS. His-and-his automatic debt (and assets) › 13

SEXUAL FREEDOM

Parole granted Fountainhead gaybasher released Jeremy Hainsworth AS RITCHIE DOWREY CONTINUES TO MAKE SLOW progress recovering from his 2009 gaybashing at the Fountainhead Pub on Davie St, the man convicted of his attack is now living in a halfway house in North Vancouver.

Provincial Court Judge Jocelyn Palmer ruled Nov 8, 2010, that Shawn Woodward’s powerful punch to Ritchie Dowrey’s head was a hate-motivated crime. “I see no other possible explanation for Mr Woodward’s behaviour than virulent homophobia,” Palmer said, as she sentenced Woodward to six years in prison.

Friend Lindsay Wincherauk says Dowrey remains in a care facility in Burnaby. He is unlikely to ever live independently again. “Woodward does minimum security for a hate crime and does a year and a bit,” Wincherauk says. “Ritchie gets to be in a care facility for the rest of his life. It’s not fair.”

Wincherauk says Dowrey remains in good spirits but still has no memory of the attack and does not know who Wincherauk is, other than recognizing him as a friend.

Brother Allan Dowrey says Ritchie has been undergoing treatments for his feet and knees, but his mobility remains limited.

Once an avid golfer, he now uses a walker.

Ritchie is a grandfather now, Allan adds.

“He gets to see [his grandchild] and enjoy it, but it will never be what it should be,” Wincherauk says.

Parole Board of Canada (PBC) documents say Woodward is living at a halfway house, where he must meet conditions under supervision of a Shawn Woodward is out on parole, less than two parole officer. years into his six-year By law, Woodward sentence for gaybashing. was allowed to apply for SHIMON KARMEL day parole, which was granted at a June 5 hearing. He is not allowed to have drugs or alcohol or to be near bars. He is to have no contact with Dowrey’s family.

According to PBC documents, while in jail Woodward acknowledged having a substance abuse problem and is accepting help for it as per board conditions.

“You become impulsive when you drink alcohol and have problems controlling your temper,” the board noted. PBC documents also show Woodward wants to become a drug and alcohol counsellor.

The parole board found Woodward’s “thinking pattern toward gay men may have contributed” to his crime.

But, the board found, Woodward has since challenged his “harmful beliefs” appropriately. “You expressed genuine remorse for your victim and people in general,” the board decided. “You acknowledged that you made hateful homophobic remarks about the victim.”

A PBC communications officer told Xtra that “the risk to the public would be manageable if this offender was released on day parole.”

Woodward is eligible for full parole under statutory release laws in November 2014.

RCMP officer targeted for being kinky ‘This will push a lot of people back into the kink closet,’ King says Jeremy Hainsworth THE RCMP SHOULD JUDGE ITS OFFICERS by their professional conduct, not their sexual preferences, BDSM activists are saying after leaked photos of an officer on a consensual fetish website have caused a public uproar and led to calls for the officer’s resignation.

The photos became public when Vancouver Sun columnist Ian Mulgrew published them July 5 and described them as “sexually explicit torture images reminiscent of the pig-farmer’s crimes.”

The photos were initially alleged to depict Coquitlam Corporal Jim Brown, a veteran RCMP officer who played a purportedly minor role in the Robert Pickton serial killer investigation when he referred a tipster to investigating officers in 1999.

According to Mulgrew, the officer in the “graphic pictures . . . appears to wear only his regulation-issue Mountie boots and an erection as he wields a huge knife and a bound naked woman cringes in terror.”

Leatherwoman Tillie King tells Xtra the case is a perfect example of why people feel pressured to hide their sexual preferences.

“It highlights why people stay in the closet,” she says. “They could lose their jobs or their children. Those are pretty high risks to take in life.”

King says people are judged the moment they step outside the norm sexually.

“For straight people, what they do in bed is never brought into the public light as to whether or not they can do their job,” she says.

She likens the situation to the RCMP witchhunts in the 1950s and ’60s when queers in the RCMP were seen as security risks.

“People in his position often stayed closeted for a reason, and we all know the price of that,” King says. “This will push a lot of people back into the kink closet. That could be potentially tragic.”

Gay Vancouver psychotherapist and leatherman Bill Coleman agrees. The officer should be judged on his ability to do his job, not by photos of him in a sexual situation.

“Now you see a picture of him and now he can’t do his job?” Coleman asks. “It doesn’t change people’s behaviour; it just becomes more closeted, and we know how dangerous being closeted can be.”

“He should be judged on his record as a police officer and not on a picture of him,” reiterates Coleman, who testified as an expert witness on BDSM at the Little Sister’s vs Canada Customs trial about BDSM book seizures.

“I am a sexual being and people can’t pretend that I am not. If they don’t like that, that’s their problem,” Coleman says.

HE SHOULD BE JUDGED ON HIS RECORD AS A POLICE OFFICER AND NOT ON A PICTURE OF HIM. —psychotherapist Bill Coleman Black leatherdyke Kona agrees. The officer’s ability to do his job has nothing to do with his sexuality, she says. “Every single person in this world does something sexually that offends someone else.”

Both Kona and Coleman say the situation could put a chill on the BDSM community.

Kona fears Vancouver’s BDSM community could be tarred and play spaces could become harder to find. “People are going to step back. How many people are going to go underground?” she asks. “How many people are going to go hunting for perverts in Vancouver?”

Ironically, both Coleman and Kona note, it’s people in the BDSM community who tend to have a greater understanding of the dynamics of power in human relationships — something Coleman says would inform how well a police officer does his job.

Coleman points out that BDSM practitioners engage by consent. That’s a long way from the mainstream media depiction of the officer sadistically subjugating and torturing a woman against her will.

Kona thinks someone with an axe to grind against the officer deliberately leaked the photos. She is concerned that members of the fetish website not expecting to be outed or judged will now face judgment from those without an understanding of the nuances of BDSM. “Now there’s going to be a lot of tourists on there uninvited,” she says. “There’s going

to be a huge onslaught of people . . . that are going to pick apart the way the community speaks about itself, the way they talk about relationships.”

Kona does not exempt the officer from criticism. “As a steward of public trust with a sophisticated knowledge of the law, he was stupid. He did not manage his personal life well,” she says.

The officer has been placed on administrative duties pending a code-of-conduct investigation — despite his commanding officer’s apparent reluctance to pursue the matter.

“The alleged issue was deemed to be offduty, non-criminal, adult consensual activity during which the individual was not representing himself as a member of the RCMP, and thus it did not appear to legal services to meet the threshold for a code-of-conduct violation,” Superintendent Claude Wilcott reportedly told Mulgrew. “Despite this legal opinion, a code-of-conduct investigation is underway to determine if there are any additional facts and ensure the fullest review possible.

“While I agree the staged images are graphic, it’s important to note that they appear only on an adult site catering to those who seek them out,” he added.

In a statement issued July 5, Randy Beck, RCMP BC assistant commissioner, says the Coquitlam detachment commander “first became aware of the existence of some graphic staged photos in December 2010. However, at that time, the detachment commander believed they existed only on the officer’s personal flash drive and thus, after consultation, he did not believe it met the threshold for a Code of Conduct violation.”

When the commander discovered in March that the photos were also online, Beck says, another investigation began. “While we must strike a balance between an individual’s rights and freedoms when off duty and the RCMP Code of Conduct, I am personally embarrassed and very disappointed that the RCMP would be, in any way, linked to photos of that nature,” Beck says.

10

Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

PRIDE 2012

Pride on track, new president says VPS invigorated by interim board, Tim Richards says Shauna Lewis DESPITE A DIFFICULT START TO 2012 — when a majority of Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) members voted in March to nullify the January election results and oust the previous directors — preparations are on track for this summer’s celebrations, says the organization’s new president.

The VPS has been invigorated by its new interim board, staff and parade committee, Tim Richards says. “I think things are going well. I’m very pleased. I think everyone ďŹ ts,â€? he says. “We’ve got a great team of people.

There’s so much passion from everyone involved.�

The VPS has already reached its sponsorship goal of $180,000, Richards notes. “It’s been good. We’ve hit our target from last year in sponsorship, so that’s wonderful,� he says, adding the VPS has also received a special-events grant from the city.

Barb Floden, a spokesperson for the City of Vancouver, confirms the city awarded the VPS a $20,000 grant for Pride.

Richards says the VPS has partnered with local microbrewery R&B Brewing to launch a beer made speciďŹ cally for Pride. The brew, ďŹ ttingly called G’Ale,

will be available at all Pride celebrations and in select private beer and wine stores throughout the city.

Barry Benson, a partner at the brewery, conďŹ rms the beer will be available for Pride and says R&B Brewing will donate a portion of its beer sales to the VPS’s charity of choice.

Partnering with Benson is only the beginning, Richards says. “We’re looking into longer-term relationships with organizations that want to sponsor us,� he says.

The VPS plans to add interactive technology to the Pride parade this year. Parade watchers will be able to access a website with any internetenabled mobile device to vote on their favourite oats, Richards says.

The VPS also plans to incorporate a memorial oat. The oat, Richards says, will be adorned with ribbons conveying messages of love to community members who have passed away. “It’s more interactive and it gives people an opportunity to reect,â€? he says.

The next VPS election must take place no later than Dec 15, when the interim board’s mandate ends. Asked if he plans to run for president again, Richards would not give a definitive answer. “I’m going to serve in some capac-

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Asked how relations at the board level are now, following this winter’s contentious changes, Richards says people are expressing satisfaction with how things are going. “Normally, when we conduct a board meeting, we’ll do a check-in process of ‘How’s everyone doing? Where are we?’� he says. “I’m a big believer in engaging with the directors and understanding where they’re at, and I think it’s going very well,� he adds.

Pride Society treasurer Bernard Leclair agrees. “I will ditto what our president is saying.�

Asked if he’s happy with the change, Leclair, who publicly questioned the previous directors’ leadership, says, “The short answer is yes.â€? “The thing about Pride is the spirit that everyone has,â€? Richards says, “and I believe if we can get to a point in the conversation where we are able to take that passion and energy and ďŹ gure out how we do more and greater things within our community and outside the community — those are the conversations, ultimately, I’d like to see more of.â€? –with ďŹ les from Natasha Barsotti

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GAY VILLAGE

Meet WEBIA’s new head Stephen Regan wants to revitalize the West End Natasha Barsotti THE NEW HEAD OF THE WEST END Business Improvement Association (WEBIA) says the message he’s received from Davie Villagers is clear: “Whatever we do needs to celebrate the gay and lesbian community.”

Stephen Regan, who assumed stewardship of the organization on April 23, after Lyn Hellyar’s departure, says WEBIA is developing a strategic plan to revitalize the West End. Asked if the BIA plans to engage gay villagers in this plan, Regan says transparency is a key factor of good governance for an organization. “This year, we’re really just playing a little bit of catch-up. We need to have a strategic framework in place, and part of that is how do we want to engage, and how do we want to hear from our members and communicate with our members.”

The MLA for Vancouver West End hopes the BIA’s plan will include residents’ voices. “His mandate is to represent the members, which are the business owners, the property owners,” Spencer Chandra Herbert acknowledges. “However, I know many of the business owners want to find a way to broaden that to ensure that it’s not excluding residents.”

“I think we really need to make sure he does hear the neighbourhood’s concerns and tries to bridge that because there were certainly some challenges in the past between the BIA and the community, and even within the BIA,” Chandra Herbert says.

“We’ve heard a lot from the businesses that what residents think is important — if you take care of the community, the community takes care of you,” Regan says. “At the same time, it’s a little bit of providing some leadership.”

Regan, who once lived in the West End and now resides in Burnaby, says becoming WEBIA’s executive director fits with the last 17 years of work he’s done in the non-profit business sector on policy, clean-up programs and tourism initiatives.

“I just think the West End is such a special place,” he says, “and there’s a lot of reasons why the West End is special: the geography, the density, the connection to the downtown core.

The gay and lesbian community is just one of the elements — one of the more important elements — that helps define the West End.”

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GAY VILLAGE

Council approves 1401 Comox It will fill a gap, Vision says Shauna Lewis VA N CO U V E R M AYO R G R E G O R Robertson and a majority of city council voted June 27 to allow the development of a 22-storey apartment tower in the West End, despite concerns the units created by the project will be unaffordable to many.

Green Councillor Adriane Carr called the proposal “ridiculous.”

“I don’t think that this is what the STIR [Short Term Incentives for Rental Housing] program intended to achieve, which is affordable housing,” she said before voting against the development.

NPA Councillor George Affleck agreed. He said the project fails to meet STIR’s criteria and misses an opportunity to add needed community amenities.

Vision Councillor Tim Stevenson, who is gay, called the councillors opposed to the proposal “short-sighted.”

The final decision was split six to three, with Stevenson and fellow Vision Vancouver councillors Heather Deal, Geoff Meggs, Kerry Jang and Tony Tang voting with the mayor in favour of the proposal. Carr, Affleck and NPA Councillor Elizabeth Ball voted against.

The decision follows a lengthy public hearing process and more than two years of community input.

The new tower at 1401 Comox St will include 186 new rental apart-

ments, including six subsidized units for low-income seniors. Since the project was first proposed in 2009, it has gone through two revisions and was put on hold for community feedback. The revised design is 16.5 feet shorter than originally proposed, is sculpted to reduce shadowing and features more green space. The site is zoned for a 190-foot building; the new building will be 200 feet tall.

“Does this building answer everything we need for the complete spectrum of our rental stock? Can we achieve all our housing goals in this building? I think not. Does it help?

Definitely,” said Tang before casting his vote in support.

The development doesn’t address all the needs people have raised, Jang acknowledged, pointing in particular to the need for more social housing.

“But this [development] really does fill a gap that hasn’t been addressed in a decade,” he said.

Outside city hall, community members opposed to the development were angry about the decision.

“I’m disappointed with the decision, but I’m twice as convinced that there are systematic problems at city hall, and I’m twice as committed and motivated to fix the system,” says Randy Helton, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2011 and is the director of West End Neighbours, which is staunchly opposed to STIR and rezoning without a West End Plan.

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XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

13

FAMILY STATUS

His-and-his automatic debt (and assets) Guest Column Dennis Dahl

B

C’S FAMILY RELATIONS ACT will soon be replaced by the Family Law Act, and if you’re like most queer common-law couples, you won’t be happy about it.

With good reason.

If you are in a common-law relationship, be prepared to share half your property with your partner and be liable for half their debts if you ever separate.

This is an extreme makeover of BC family law, already passed by the legislature and expected to come into force March 18, 2013.

It’s the government’s attempt to modernize family law. They got it mostly right for married couples and for those having children by assisted reproduction, but queer common-law couples will see their relationships redefined in unwanted ways with signiďŹ cant new legal obligations.

Particularly upset will be those common-law couples who are already in relationships and entered them on

BUT NOW, THE LAW WILL MAKE COMMONLAW STATUS AND MARRIAGE ESSENTIALLY EQUAL AS TO RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, REMOVING THAT CHOICE. the assumption that they shared their lives but not their money or property.

In other words, the vast majority of queer common-law couples I’ve met.

Under the new Family Law Act, after common-law partners have lived together for two years in a “marriage-like relationship,� each partner will have an automatic half interest in all property accumulated during the relationship and in the increase in value of all property brought into the relationship.

They will also be liable for half of all debts incurred during the relationship in either name, including personal credit card debts.

This dramatic change is not what most common-law queer families choose for themselves. In my practice, it is extremely rare for common-law couples to make a contract on these terms. The vast majority want to be responsible only for their own debts and to maintain separate property, or at least limit shared property to certain items purchased jointly.

Traditionally, the legal view has been that common-law relationships were intended by the parties to be less formal and less rigidly deďŹ ned than marriage, without the requirements to share property or other obligations, unless the parties chose to do so by agreement or by marriage. This was viewed as the “freedom of choiceâ€? route to avoid the legal constraints of marriage. It was an alternative to mar-

riage, entered into freely by the parties.

But now, the law will make common-law status and marriage essentially equal as to rights and responsibilities, removing that choice.

The new law is based on the feminist view of relationships, designed to protect the most vulnerable people (generally women), who often lack the personal or ďŹ nancial power to protect their interests when a couple separates.

But the factual basis for this viewpoint does not apply to queer relationships.

The feminist view is based primarily on heterosexual relationships, where there is likely unequal bargaining power in relationships where men earn statistically more than women.

While unequal ďŹ nancial power exists in some queer relationships, the community has not expressed a desire for automatic property and debt sharing.

As queers now have the right to be married, most couples still see common-law as a valid alternative that they have chosen intentionally over marriage.

Fortunately, these problems can be overcome by a properly written agreement detailing your agreed terms of the relationship. But the change in the law will now require you to be proactive to protect your interests.

Otherwise the automatic propertyand debt-sharing provisions will apply to all couples when the new law comes into effect, likely next year.

It’s not all bad news. A major victory for the queer community in the new Family Law Act is the redefinition of “parentage� in a way that accords with the actual expectations of most queer families, especially those using assisted reproduction.

For the ďŹ rst time, the law will recognize multiparent families, if the adults so choose.

Sperm and egg donors will have no legal liability or responsibility unless all parties choose to sign a contract in advance giving them parental rights and obligations. Surrogate mothers will also be able to sign contracts prior to birth so they will not have legal rights or responsibilities to their children.

This is a great change and one the vast majority of queer families has always wanted. The old law was unclear and carried the continuing risk of legal liability for a sperm donor or surrogate. This will no longer be the case and will make queer families more legally secure.

The most interesting change is that the parties to a conception and birth can also sign a contract to make more than two persons legal parents of the child, if they so choose. The parents may include up to two “intended parents,â€? a sperm donor, an egg donor and a surrogate who carries the child — creating the possibility of up to ďŹ ve legal parents.

But this ability to form a multiperson family is restricted to families having children. The law does not specifically consider polyamorous relationships in relation to the general provisions of family law with regard to property, debt and ďŹ nancial support.

Dennis Dahl is a lawyer at Dahl & Connors law ďŹ rm with 30 years’ experience.

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The VMC leads you as we sing our favorourite gay anthems and songs to celebrate the most colourful event of the year.

Sunday August 5th 2012 Roundhouse (181 Roundhouse Mews) Doors 7:00pm, Sing 7:30pm Admission is $20 Tickets available at Little Sister’s Bookstore (1238 Davie Street) and online (www.vancouvermenschorus.ca) Hosted by Jamie Foster & Wilma FingHU¿t

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SEX

Preventing lesbian bed death Ask the Expert Dr Pega Ren

Dear Dr Ren, I’m a woman in my early 40s who has been in several long-term relationships. I’m in the early stages of a new one now and don’t want this to go down the same road as all the others, with us becoming best friends and never having sex anymore.

I hear this pattern referred to as lesbian bed death. What causes it?

Does it happen to everyone? Can it be prevented? Can it be cured?

I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to know how to avoid lesbian bed death. Please advise!

Not Dead Yet Dear Not Dead Yet, You are so right that others want to know about lesbian bed death, too. Whenever I am with a group of women-loving women, this is the question I am asked.

Lesbian bed death is that pattern when (usually) both partners mourn the loss of their previously active sex life and don’t know how to recapture it.

Lesbian bed death is common, preventable and reparable.

When we understand the maturation of romantic/erotic relationships, it makes sense how LBD can happen.

Bear with me a bit here.

Lesbian women are generally raised in heteronormative homes with heterosexist values. We learn to be asked to dance rather than being taught how to invite someone onto the danceoor.

This is true even in liberal, egalitarian homes — social messages are ubiquitous and we learn such social cues simply growing up.

Now, sexually, we may be eager to respond to our partners’ invitations.

Meanwhile, they’re equally eagerly awaiting ours. The result is two people who want to dance, both waiting to be asked. There’s music playing, and they both know the steps, but without somebody making an overture, nobody dances. Lesbian bed death. “But,� you protest, “nobody had to ask in the early days. Sex was hot and spontaneous then. I want to go back to that.�

Ah, yes, the spontaneous sex myth.

Back when you spent three hours getting ready for a date and even shaved above your knees. That kind of spontaneous, right?

In the beginning we are fuelled by limerence, or new relationship energy.

It lasts 12 to 18 months and serves as a stimulating information-gathering period. It is driven by sex and sex’s bonding endorphins. We get one such giddy, rapturous period per relationship.

Once a couple becomes established, sexual activity is no longer ignited by this constant stream of brain chemicals. Familiarity supplants mystery.

Home Depot errands replace Saturday afternoons in bed. It just happens, if we do not consciously and consistently act to counter the momentum.

What to do?

Maintenance sex. That’s right. You don’t wait till everything’s aligned and

you’re both swooning with romance.

You have sex every Wednesday and Saturday (pick the frequency that works for you) because that’s the rhythm you want to maintain. Talk about it and decide. Then make it happen.

Sex may not be earthmoving in the beginning. You may have to turn off the TV. You will have to decide to enjoy sex this time with your girlfriend because you can, and maybe for no other reason. You’ll get into it. Recent research shows us that women often need to be in it (sexual activity) before they get into it. Go with that.

The Beatles said it well: the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Refuse to go two weeks without loving up your honey. Do not wait to be asked.

If initiation reciprocity becomes an issue, seek counselling. It’s a separate issue and should be addressed.

Talk about sex. Tell your lover your fantasies. Ask her to tell you hers.

Do you want to act them out? What are you waiting for? Encourage her to try new things with you. Buy new toys, new books. Try something new tonight.

Be creative. If you want your sex life to be innovative, exotic and hot, make it so. Don’t wait for anybody else to give you an orgasm, or a fantasy, or a new experience . . . You are fully responsible for your own marvellous sex life. Set an example of openness, willingness and acceptance. What can you discover?

Learn your erotic turn-ons. You have a loving partner, someone with whom you can explore partnered sex.

What can you learn about your own sexuality to bring to this powerful table? Challenge yourself to expand the erotic possibilities of the couple you are in. How can you be brave alone and together? Read erotica, watch porn, send your honey a sexy scenario and greet her at the door wrapped in nothing but shrink wrap. Personalize these suggestions.

YOU DON’T WAIT TILL EVERYTHING’S ALIGNED AND YOU’RE BOTH SWOONING WITH ROMANCE. Have you wondered about BDSM? Ever bite your lover during sex? Too much? Never mind. What are your turn-ons? What are your lover’s?

Lesbian bed death? Don’t let it happen. If you are already in its clutches, extricate yourself. It means accepting, welcoming your full sexual potential; talking about sex; being proactive in planning and making sex happen. Resist merging. Cultivate independence and sexual tension. Respond to every sexual opportunity.

And then? Great sex for the rest of your life!

Got a question for Dr Ren? asktheexpert@xtra.ca

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Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

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ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN Xtra brings you the chance to win the Special Edition Vinyl of Fiona Apple’s new album, “The Idler Wheel...”

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arts › entertainment › leisure

Out City IN THE

IT’S HARD TO REALLY ROCK AN OUTDOOR EVENT WHEN THE VIRGIN MARY IS SQUIRTING LIKE A WHORE. Blitz & Shitz ›23

FOLK FEST VANCOUVER FOLK FEST

evalyn parry

QUEERS Who’s who in the homo lineup

by Denise Sheppard

A

S THE VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL CONTINUES TO GROW AND, arguably, to morph into a better version of itself, its queer contingent of performers remains strong.

With Ani DiFranco, Tret Fure, Holly Near, evalyn parry and esl, this year’s lineup spans the rainbow-coloured folk spectrum enough to whet your palate, although it would be wonderful to see a more musically and culturally diverse batch of queers hit the festival’s stages — not to mention a couple of openly gay men.

Still, the Folk Fest is always worth its weekend pass; it’s a dreamy place of love, peace and five-part harmony that is as feel-good as Vancouver gets.

Here’s a quick look at some of the ’mos performing at this year’s festival.

evalyn parry. DAVID HAWE

ONE PART MUSICIAN, TWO PARTS PERFORmance artist, three parts quirky, evalyn parry could very well be dubbed Laurie Anderson Jr. Like so many eccentric artists, parry spells her name with lower-case letters, has an asymmetrical haircut and frequently uses a bicycle onstage as a percussion instrument. (Okay, admittedly that last part is unique to her.)

Her most recent full-length collection, 2011’s Spin, showcases, according to parry, “historic connections between women’s emancipation around the turn of the century and the history of the bike. It includes the story of the first woman to ride around the world on a bike, in 1895, an amazing story.”

It is that very love of stories that weaves its way continually throughout parry’s work, and the musician continues to make a living as a multidisciplinary artist, songstress, actor, producer and playwright. “There’s always been an element of very personal storytelling, but there’s also been an element of being inspired by issues in the world.

I think my work is always trying to straddle those two things, and I hope and think that I’m better at doing that.”

Holly Near & Tret Fure

Holly Near. IRENE YOUNG

HOLLY NEAR AND TRET FURE HAVE BOTH BEEN performing folk and women/womyn/wimmin’s music fests since the early 1970s, but their days of inspiration are not restricted to the past. Though it is true they were “out” performers at a time when people like kd lang and Melissa Etheridge were pre-pubescent baby dykes, both Near and Fure have continued to make music and inspire activism throughout their careers, from their 20s to their 60s.

In recent years, Near was part of a collective of women nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, an unrelated but interwoven group known as 1000 PeaceWomen.

“This proposal was in keeping with the idea that it not only takes a village, it takes a global force to make huge change,” she tells Xtra.

“My work as an artist is to heal, inspire, educate, challenge, articulate, imagine and entertain. It matters to me that I do my job well. I practise my cultural activism in the same way a tennis champ practises. Some days,” she chuckles, “it hurts more than others!”

Fure’s work has been equally groundbreaking, as she tried to create space for herself and other women in the male-dominated music industry.

In her early 20s, Fure learned to be a music engineer, as she wasn’t being treated as an equal in the studio. She later went on to found her own record company — Tomboy Girl Records — offering a DIY model to other indie artists, such as Ani DiFranco (who could not be reached for an interview despite repeated requests). Fure is also the president of Local 1000, the Traveling Musician’s Union, of which DiFranco is a member.

Now 61, Fure remains very much fuelled by her passion for Tret Fure. music. “I can’t imagine myself ever retiring. I play to new people every show, and that inspires me. People feel connected to what I do, and I walk away from shows feeling that I’ve contributed. That keeps me going. The travel is hard, the long hours are hard, but when I’m onstage it all falls away, and that’s where I feel the magic.”

esl YUP, YET ANOTHER FOLK FEST PROJECT WITH LOWER-CASE LETTERS and asymmetrical haircuts! Sassing aside, esl is a gorgeous and graceful Vancouver troupe of women delivering achingly orchestral melodies that are heavily influenced by another place and time. The band’s cellist — celebrated solo artist Cris Derksen — loves spreading her proverbial wings and playing with the East Van outfit. “esl is completely different than my solo project,” Derksen says. “It is a five-person female band. We call it ‘Polish chamber pop,’ but we don’t sing in total Polish; we sing in Polish, French, English. It is completely fun — not that my music isn’t fun!” she laughs. “We’ve been together seven years now; we’re completely family, so I enjoy the community. I also get the opportunity to do something a little simpler for me, ’cause I only have to do one part; I don’t have to do all the parts.”

In addition to playing on the smaller stages, the quintet will join Veda Hille on the main stage on Sunday, July 15 for a performance piece to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the festival.

the deets VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL esl.

Fri, July 13– Sun, July 15 Jericho Beach Park thefestival.bc.ca

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Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

“Indeterminacy in art is made not as an attempt to bring order out of chaos nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply a way of waking up to the very life we’re living.� — John Cage

QAF 2012 EVENTS ART PARTY! OPENING NIGHT GALA OF THE QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL! Proudly sponsored by Health Initiative for Men (HIM) Opening night gala of the Queer Arts Festival featuring live performances and fabulous company. MC: Barb Snelgrove +VMZ t o QN ] By donation t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

RANDOM ACTS OF QUEERNESS CURATED VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION Curated by Persimmon Blackbridge, Jeffery Gibson, & SD Holman This year the visual artists were asked to tackle the theme of “Random Acts of Queerness�, a nod to the centenary of experimental queer multi-disciplinary artist John Cage and his radical use of incongruent objects, methods and locations in his art. An inspiring display of odd juxtapositions and unconventional systems and strategies. +VMZ o "VH ] By donation (BMMFSZ )PVST 11am - 10pm Mon-Fri | 11am - 4:30pm Sat-Sun t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

PRIDE IN ART

COMMUNITY VISUAL ART SHOW The Queer Arts Festival is happy to again present the Pride in Art Community Show. In the Great Hall of the Roundhouse, outside the main Exhibition Hall, the PiA Community Show will exhibit visual art works by queer artists in any medium. Works in the Community Show need not be themed. +VMZ o "VH ] By donation 'BDJMJUZ )PVST 9am - 10pm Mon-Fri | 9am – 5pm Sat-Sun t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

CLEAN SHEETS 2012

QUEER PLAY READINGS Co-presented with Screaming Weenie Productions.

Clean Sheets is theatrical readings of the best in new queer plays from writers all over Canada.

5IF 4JOHVMBSJUZ PG %FTJSF by Judy M. Miles (Vancouver) .FNPSJBM by Steven Gallagher (Toronto) "VH t QN ] By donation

WHEN THE SUN COMES OUT Workshop presentation of Canada’s first lesbian opera, by composer Leslie Uyeda and librettist Rachel Rose. Starring soprano Teiya Kasahara, mezzo-soprano Shirin Eskandani, baritone Joel Klein, music director Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, and directed by Robert McQueen, this ground-breaking work tells a cross-cultural tale of bravery and betrayal, truth and lies.

"VH t QN ] $20 advance, $12-30 sliding scale at door t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

THANK YOU, YOU’RE NOT WELCOME In a series of frenzied vignettes excised from his life, or maybe stolen from another, dancer and choreographer Noam Gagnon presents a madcap tale that ushers you deep into a wild storybook world in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm. Written and directed by James Fagan Tait.

"VHVTU t QN ] $20 advance, $12-30 sliding scale at door t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

BIG GAY SING!

Our 3rd year hosting this festive audience sing-along. Led by choral conductor Willi Zwozdesky, pianist Stephen Smith, and the Vancouver Men’s Chorus, this is the perfect way to keep the Pride celebration going after watching the parade. It’s karaoke with glitter!

"VHVTU t QN ] $20 t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

THE GAYEST SHOW ON EARTH‌AGAIN Once more Darcy Michael will star in this off-the-wall variety show featuring some of Vancouver’s top performers in music, drag, sketch, and comic improv. Always a wild and hilarious ride – and totally gay. Warning: offensive humour and nudity very, very likely.

"VH t QN ] $20 advance, $12-30 sliding scale at door t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

QUEEROTICA

Not your Grandmother’s poetry reading! Queerotica continues under the brazen curatorship of author/activist Janine Fuller, Manager of Little Sister’s Bookstore and Q Hall of Famer, and QAF Artistic Director SD Holman. A smash hit every year, come enjoy live presentations of queer erotic fiction and poetry.

"VH t QN ] By Donation

Media Sponsor

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

Artist Credit: Noel Silver—�The Stranger�

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XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

VANCOUVER’S THREE-WEEK MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTS FESTIVAL CELEBRATING DANCE, LITERATURE, MUSIC, THEATRE, & VISUAL ARTS

JULY 31–AUGUST 18 @

THE ROUNDHOUSE COMMUNITY ARTS & RECREATION CENTRE 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC

Purchase your tickets NOW at Little Sister’s & brownpapertickets.com

QAF 2012 WORKSHOPS ON MEN, WOMEN, AND THE REST OF US Transgender pioneer Kate Bornstein comes to Vancouver to perform her landmark solo show which wraps her favourite monologues and hot-off-the-press memoirs (A Queer and Pleasant Danger) into a deeply moving affirmation of spirit for sex-andgender outlaws. Bornstein is a towering legend of queer theatre — not to be missed!

"VH t QN ] $20 advance, $12-30 sliding scale at door t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

TURKEY IN THE WOODS

Co-presented with Cranberry Sauce Equity Co-op World premiere of Jan Derbyshire’s hilarious new play. A burnt comedy for those with a certain type of humour. A drama for others. Directed by James Fagan Tait. Starring Morgan Brayton, Cherise Clarke, Suzie Payne and Jan Derbyshire.

"VH o t QN ] "VH t QN ] "VH t QN

PAINTING WORKSHOP WITH JEFFERY AUSTIN GIBSON This painting workshop is designed to help students interested in either landscape, abstract or figurative painting to elevate their work through a variety of techniques. All levels. Classes designed to be taken together, to build skills from one to the next, but pre-registered drop-ins welcome.

5IVST "VH t QN ] 5IVST "VH t QN 4VO "VH t QN $40 per class or $120 for all three *Bursaries available t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

THE ARTIST IN YOU

MIXED MEDIA VISUAL ARTS YOUTH WORKSHOP WITH ROXANNE GAGNON Be prepared to get honest, a little dirty, and gain a better understanding of your individual, artistic expression. This workshop is designed for LGBT/ Queer/ Questioning youth with a keen interest in visual arts. Participants are welcome to attend both workshops, or drop in to only one.

$20 advance, $12-30 sliding scale at door

'SJ "VH t QN ] 4BU "VH t QN

t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

$40 per class *Bursaries available

BOULEZ CONTRA CAGE

An Interdisciplinary argument for two musicians and two actors Starring David Bloom, Simon Webb, and flute/piano duo Tiresias.

Dramatizes the friendship of composers John Cage and Pierre Boulez, who embodied the polar opposites of post-war musical thought: the resolute structure of Serialism and the radical spontaneity of Indeterminancy.

"VH t QN ] $20 advance, $12-30 sliding scale at door t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

LAW OF PROXIMITY

A unique dance project facilitated by MACHiNENOiSY’s co-Artistic Directors Delia Brett and Daelik, Law of Proximity is the culmination of a month-long performance intensive for queer youth. An exciting and informative physical dialogue on performance, art, identity and communication. Premieres at the Scotiabank Dance Centre.

677 Davie St. "VH t QN ] $20, $15 for students/seniors/members of

t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

HELLO, CRUEL WORLD

YOUTH SURVIVAL WORKSHOP WITH KATE BORNSTEIN Bornstein’s book, “Hello, Cruel World. 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and other Outlaws�, is an underground bestseller, and the basis of this workshop. She will talk about doing anything it takes to make your life more worth living. Anything. With the single rule: Don’t be mean. A group discussion will follow the lecture.

"VH t QN ] Free! t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

FACE YOUR FEARS, ACT YOUR ASPIRATIONS ACTING WORKSHOP WITH ELAINE CAROL Co-presented with the Vancouver Queer Film Festival

MACHiNENOiSY & Queer Arts Festival

So you’ve written a script and you’re ready to work with a cast of actors: a critical skill for any director is to appreciate the art of acting. This workshop will give a brief overview of American method acting to help you understand and reach the emotional depth, complexity and courage needed to act. Open to 8 participants only. Deadline to apply: July 30.

"VH t o QN ] Free!

t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

Sadly, all good things come to an end. Tonight we celebrate the closing of another fabulous festival, and thank all of our wonderful volunteers! Your last chance to view the art exhibits and mingle with the queer arts community. Hosted by Miss Pussy Liquor.

"VHVTU t o QN

Co-presented with the Vancouver Queer Film Festival In this artists-in-discussion style workshop, three Festival directors speak candidly about the challenges and successes of funding their projects. Intended to inspire filmmakers and cross-discipline artists to find the financial support they need. Drop in.

"VH t o QN ] Free!

CLOSING PARTY

ARTIST TALK: FUND YOUR FILM

For more information visit queerartsfestival.com Facebook: facebook.com/qafvancouver | Twitter: @qafvancouver | hash tag: #QAFVan

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COVER STORY

ARTFUL INDETER MINACY Vancouver’s Queer Arts Festival is anything but random Natasha Barsotti

T

HE QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL (QAF) MAY BE ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD IN its current incarnation, but it’s throwing a centenary birthday bash.

The birthday boy, free-form experimental artist John Cage, will make a posthumous appearance along with his more structured contemporary Pierre Boulez in QAF’s Boulez Contra Cage, adapted from correspondence between the two queer composers.

A fusion of theatre and musical performance, the piece, subtitled Interdisciplinary Argument for Two Musicians and Two Actors, mines the friendship and artistic debate Cage and Boulez engaged in between 1949 and 1954. Those unfamiliar with the composers’ music can expect to be pushed in new directions.

In further tribute to Cage’s penchant for what he called indeterminacy in art, QAF entitled this year’s artistic showcase Random Acts of Queerness.

“We often do a play on words,” artistic director SD Holman points out.

“People can go with it in the literal sense, whether it’s the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence skating down Davie St . . . or Kelowna, to interpreting it in a formal sense and using it as a way of breaking free of habit and risking the effects of something random.”

It’s a challenge to artists to look at their work through a different lens, whether their work is on canvas, on stage, in music or any other media. “The artists are really excited by it. All of the artists are taking very different tacks on the theme,” Holman says.

Vancouver’s three-week celebration of queer art, which was recently granted charitable status, showcases 150 artists, featured in visual art shows, workshops and performances.

Unless otherwise noted, all performances take place at the Roundhouse Performance Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews. For more information, go to queerartsfestival.com.

BRAVE ART “It reminds me of tarot cards — each little thing is symbolic,” says queer artist and photographer Kimberley French of her collage Lion, Raven and Walnut Tree. “It’s about bravery, and it’s about sexuality, and it’s about transformation — coming into your own personal power.” French’s collage will be on exhibit in the Queer Arts Festival’s curated art show at the Roundhouse Community Centre, July 31–Aug 18.

Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

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XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

Noam Gagnon confronts his demons in dance.

“As a teen, touching can be a volatile subject,” says the co-artistic director of Law of Proximity. QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL

CHRIS RANDLE

THANKS, BUT NO THE ART OF TOUCH THANKS THANK YOU, YOU’RE NOT WELCOME IS a simpler, edgier, more personal reconfiguration of Noam Gagnon’s 2010 dance piece 10 Things You’ll Hate About Me. “It’s more like a Brothers Grimm fairytale now,” says the dancer and choreographer.

Distilled from the thick, seam-broken journals filled with Gagnon’s musings and artwork, Thank You is part autobiography, part fantasy-merging-with-life story about a Quebec youth struggling with poverty, incest, alcoholism and his coming of age.

“There’s the moment of awareness, the moment of facing the demons, facing the reality of what you’re made of, and also where you came from,” Gagnon says.

“The thing I find fascinating about this is that it doesn’t matter if it happened 30 years ago. It happened 100 years ago, and it still happens today. Some stories just keep repeating themselves,” he says. “It’s about saying, ‘I’m grateful for what happened, but this needs to stop. It’s almost like saying, ‘Fuck you.’”

It’s a cycle Gagnon manages to arrest through dance. “There’s a moment of transcending. His desire to dream really leads him to believe that there’s something more, and the possibility of survival is great.

“I’m playing a character that is beyond me, that hopefully has an element that is about everyone else,” he adds.

“It’s the kind of work that brings you right into your guts and right into your imagination. It’s not an intellectual story.”

Thank You, You’re Not Welcome will be performed Fri, Aug 3 at 7:30pm.

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LAW OF PROXIMITY IS AN ATTEMPT to explore, through contact dance, issues of intimacy, touch, safety, communication and identity, say MACHiNENOiSY’s co-artistic directors, Delia Brett and Daelik.

For Daelik, contact dance, with its emphasis on shared physicality and improvised movement, opens avenues for sensual, intimate communication, without being sexual.

“When I got involved in theatre and

dance, touching took on a whole new meaning for me,” Daelik explains. “As a teen, touching can be a volatile subject. For kids who are not straight, it’s doubly difficult because there is taboo sexuality associated with it.”

Conceived three years ago, Law of Proximity is a collaboration between queer youth and professional artists within a workshop setting to create a performance that is youth-driven.

Mostly in their 20s, participants

have been pulled from Qmunity’s GAB Youth, Capilano University, Purple Thistle and previous workshops.

“We want it to come from the youth.

Whatever we do, whatever we create, that queerness is going to come from them,” Brett says.

“The themes that have been coming up are identifiers, the names we call ourselves and the names that people call us,” Brett says.

“We asked about positive, negative or neutral labels that we associate with either being gay, being queer or being an outsider,” Daelik adds.

“Another issue has been homophobia, what that looks like nowadays — this subtle non-violent communication that communicates homophobia,” Brett says.

“They’re going to use the skills of contact to embody whatever it is that we end up creating and maybe improvise some of the moments within that.”

Law of Proximity runs Wed, Aug 15 to Sat, Aug 18 at 7:30pm, at the Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St.

LESBIAN DRAMA HUMOUR L E SB IAN R E L AT IONSH I PS “AR E great fodder for humour,” says Jan Derbyshire. “I think we have our own way of doing things.”

Derbyshire’s new play, workshopped at the Queer Arts Festival two years ago, premieres on Aug 9 and stars local comedian Morgan Brayton.

“I wanted to look at a couple who had been together for a long time but still had to deal with the question of marriage, now that we’re allowed to follow a more linear progression in our relationships,” Derbyshire explains.

What about those people who don’t want to get hitched, she wondered. Is that a commitment issue or just how some queers roll?

Out came Turkey in the Woods, in which one half of a long-term lesbian couple is always threatening to leave, while the other half has a driving need

Half in, half out with Turkey in the Woods. QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL

to tie the knot traditionally.

The comedy lies in the conflict, Derbyshire says, “and how long we stay in therapy, how long we stay connected to our past, how we’re allowed to repeat the same pattern over and over again,” she adds.

“I wanted to look at all the myths but also the jokes around the myths,” she says, such as serial monogamy, relationships with roughly three-year

life spans, the we-all-know-each-other and we’ve-all-slept-together scenarios.

Oh . . . and don’t forget the less-thanreputable therapists who hang on to their patients, co-dependent-style.

There’s some truth in all of that, Derbyshire says, but the missing pieces are the relationships that do work.

Turkey in the Woods runs Thurs, Aug 9–Wed, Aug 15, various showtimes.

FUNDAMENTALIA’S LIMITED FREEDOM BILLED AS CANADA’S FIRST LESBIAN OPERA, the form of the tomboyish Solana, a young woman Rachel Rose’s When the Sun Comes Out follows three implicitly from “the West” whose teacher-student people trying to fully be themselves in Fundamentalia, relationship with Lilah evolves into an intimate one. a constrictive cultural landscape that doesn’t allow Having tasted the forbidden, Lilah and her marriage them that freedom. are left in a state of chaos. “The obviAs they search for limited ous choice would be for the women to opportunities to express themleave,” McQueen points out. selves, two of the characters — With her ingrained sense of perthe married couple, Lilah and sonal and sexual freedom, Solana Javan — are immersed in the lies is accustomed to packing up and they believe they have to tell to leaving when things get tough in survive. The surprise is they’re her world. Except she has bonded hiding behind the same lie, direcwith Lilah. tor Robert McQueen says.

“By the end, the three realize their “They have betrayed the oath strength is in forming a community that they have taken with each and living within that,” McQueen says. other in their marriage, and by Still, there are no guarantees. force, they have lived in fear of what they feel and what they have A workshop performance of When experienced.” the Sun Comes Out will take place on In part, disruption enters in Director Robert McQueen.

Thurs, Aug 2 at 7:30pm.

Singer Teiya Kasahara. QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL

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XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

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XTRA’S GUIDE TO FOOD, NIGHTLIFE AND FUN

CELEBRITIES NIGHT CLUB 1022 DAVIE ST, VANCOUVER 604-681-6180 celebritiesnightclub.com

Food for the Village coscarestaurant.com 1118 Denman St

WEDNESDAYS Bingo 8pm-10:30pm; The Dollhouse Show 11:00pm.

Ticket Price: $3 after 10pm (100% proceeds benefit the DMS Charities) Music Style: Top 40 remixes THURSDAYS Hard Candy $4.50 Highballs. A night where the boys bare it all! Indulge yourself where HOT boys strip down to nothing and heat you up, while the crowd packs the dance floor with DJs Drew and DJ Mattilda Ho. spinning Hot & Sexy Top 40 remixes.

FRIDAYS Stereotype – Blueprint Events – Hot DJ’s spinning all night SATURDAYS B You Saturdays with DJ Drew and Zach Shore TUESDAYS Vancouver’s Original Musical Shit Mix is the city’s busiest weekly party. Year-round, Tuesdays are packed with a “too-young-to-die, too-fastto-live” w/ DarylO & Johnny Jover

FOUNTAINHEAD PUB 1011 DAVIE ST, VANCOU VER 604-687-2222 WEDNESDAYS Red Truck pints; Beefeater gin highballs.

THURSDAYS Grower’s Cider; Alexander Keith’s pints.

FRIDAYS Polar Ice vodka highballs; Kokanee pints; Naughty Shots.

SATURDAYS Smirnoff Ice coolers; Granville Island pints; Naughty Shots.

SUNDAYS Caesars; OK Spring pints.

MONDAYS Labatt’s Blue pints; Jackson Triggs wines.

TUESDAYS Smirnoff Twisted coolers; Russell pints.

RICKSHAW THEATRE 254 East Hastings Street 604-681-8915 JULY 17th: Big Buck 19+ Doors: 7pm JULY 28th: Eeek, Philoceraptor, the 80th Action 19+ Doors: 8pm

STEAMWORKS 123 WEST PENDER ST VANCOU VER steamworksonline.com THURSDAYS Lights-out party. 4pm–4am.

Find out who goes hump in the dark.

SUNDAYS Sticky buns Sundays.

4am– 8am. Sunday mornings starting at 4am, complimentary baked treats and freshly brewed coffee.

MON-TUES Cram-session student night: discount with student ID. Bring in your valid student ID and receive a free 90-day student membership and $5 off your rental, every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6pm-midnight.

WEDNESDAYS Lights-out party.

4pm- 4am. Find out who goes hump in the dark.

The Psychic Paramount JULY 20

Slick Idiot Great Live Music 254 E. Hastings

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XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

23

PARTIES & PRIDE

East Side Pride makeover Blitz & Shitz Raziel

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HE PARTY GODS HAVE DECIDED that Thursday in Vancouver is ’90s night, and dominating are all the Friends at Electric Owl. The night was created by two DJs who call themselves The Gal Pals, aka Emma and Jamie. Friends is definitely the busiest ’90s party, although it’s mostly filled with teenagers acting as callow as Jodie Sweetin on meth. “How rude!”

Emma tells Vancouver Is Awesome, “[Friends is] a very non-pretentious atmosphere, and we really have no shame when playing the guilty pleasures. With the exception of the really annoying shit — like Eiffel 65 or Chumbawamba. You will not hear us delve that far into the realm of embarrassing ’90s.”

Electric Owl has booths if you feel like sitting with a group, or the dancefloor is ready to host your acid-wash jeans, hammer pants and platforms that look like they were ripped straight off a Spice Girl’s feet. Hopefully not Sporty, cuz that shit’s stank.

No-cover summer and $4 highballs make Ace of Base’s “Beautiful Life” seem all the more true.

Oasis has gone through a management makeover recently, and the new team is

up and running. Not only has DJ Adam Dreaddy brought back Fag Fridays to Davie Village every Friday, but they’ve launched their Thursday night ’90s party, Escapade, with DJ Ana. I love the shadow boxes, which transform the club into a music video, but I was a little perplexed, because some of the songs later in the night weren’t from the decade that gave us Monica Lewinsky and the most famous cum-stained dress of all time. Girl, keep that gem in your closet. Fashion always makes a comeback. The next style craze will be the dress that needs no zipper because it sticks to you!

If neither of those parties satisfies the need that used to be filled by a Thursday night NBC lineup that was actually good, Chocolate Milk at Shine is minus a few DJs these days but is always plus retro beats.

East Side Pride I really love the idea of this yearly Pride event, because so many in our community don’t live in the Village. There’s a huge population of gays living in the Downtown Eastside, Main St and on the Drive. I feel that if this daylong, queer-in-East-Van celebration offered more to attract the gays who actually live there, it would gain popularity.

The First Couple of East Van (drag queens aren’t the only ones who like giving out titles!), Isolde N Barron and Peach Cobblah, are charismatic hosts, but there needs to be more than a hot dog stand and people handing out pamphlets for Qmu-

The To-Do List CAMERA/WHORE

Isolde N Barron and Peach Cobblah are charismatic hosts, but East Side Pride needs more than a hot dog stand and people handing out pamphlets. JESS MUNITZ

nity (and other worthy organizations) for this thing to really go off. Sarah Wheeler is a beautiful singer/songwriter, but when she told the crowd to grab rainbow flags and dance, and only a few volunteers did, it was just kind of sad.

I liked the gay news archive tent, but there wasn’t much of an addition from last year. I think what the festival needs is to collaborate with more creative people.

The East Van queer scene is expansive, and that should be represented at East Side Pride.

True, it’s hard to really rock an outdoor event when the Virgin Mary is squirting

like a whore from Vancouver’s grey sky, but the biggest problem was that there really wasn’t enough happening to keep people rooted at the commemoration, so the comings and goings left the boulevard at McSpadden Park looking sparse.

PS Sunday Funday = drag queens and drinking games. Joan @ The Junc is taking over the Village, and if you’re sick of all this ’90s hype and miss the decade of shoulder pads, the next Jem Jam at The Cobalt is Dynasty-inspired.

Photo-party! There are nine conceptual photo booths, and you are recorded as you move through the installations.

There are some great artists collaborating at this event, including Anthony Antonellis, who is going to make you a pornstar, and Keren MD, who will be filming GIFs on a 35mm camera. 1965 Main St, 8pm–2am.

AMANDA The legendary Amanda Lepore is coming to Five Sixty on July 14, which is where I’m heading after losing what’s left of my soul in the Camera/ Whore flashes! Quanah Style and Junita Werk are performing, with DJs Lisa DeLux, Jay Douglas and Tristan Orchard spinning.

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Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

listings › PARTIES Hard Candy

Kelowna, British Columbia

Hot naked dancers starting at 11pm.

Thurs, July 12 (with DJ Kasha Kennedy)and Thurs, July 19. Celebrities Nightclub, 1022 Davie St. $5. celebritiesnightclub.com

Lipstick Jungle Glamour lives with lots of lusty ladies on the prowl. Martini specials loosen the libido and DJs Agent 99 and Kasha Kennedy lay on the beats. Thurs, July 19, 9pm. Ginger 62, 1219 Granville St.

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Get a clue — dance clubs don’t have the monopoly on fun. Bring your favourite games or try the ones provided. Fri, July 13, 7pm. Rhizome CafÊ, 317 E Broadway.

No cover. rhizomecafe.ca

Gay Day at Playland Deck your friends and family in pink and hop on some thrill rides. Sponsored by the Vancouver Pride Society. Sat, July 14, 10am–8pm. PNE Playland Exhibition Grounds, 2901 E Hastings St. $28.50. vancouverpride.ca

Noir Fetish Ball Kinksters move to a new venue with their strict fetish dress code, photo booth and dungeon play space. DJs Logik and dj://spaz spin. Sat, July 21, 9pm. Open Studios, 252 E 1st Ave. $12 before 10pm, $12 after. noirvancouver.com

Geeks After Dark: A Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy

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In Episode VII: A Nude Hope, rebel nerds strike back against the hordes of normal people. Star Wars-themed burlesque and dancing, featuring Chai Tea, Flash Lefox, Reese Kay, Riannaconda and Tawdry Audrey. Sat, July 14, 6–10pm. The Cellar Nightclub, 1006 Granville St. $12, $10 if in costume. Look for the Geeks After Dark page on Facebook.

AJ’s CafÊ

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A fun and festive social gathering for HIV-positive gay men. Fri, July 13 and 20, 3–6pm. The Junction Pub, 1138 Davie St. No cover. positivelivingbc.org

Amanda Lepore The transdisciplinary artist aunts her music and fabulousness in a night hosted

by Quanah Style and Junita Werk. DJs Lisa Delux, Jay Douglas and Tristan Orchard add to the mix. Sat, July 14, 10pm–3am. Five Sixty, 560 Seymour St. $15 advance, more at door. ďŹ vesixty.ca

MEETINGS & GROUPS Read Dating GLBTQ “Read� rhymes with “speed,� and organizers predict up to 12 dates for GLBTQers interested in books, movies and music. Pre-registration at the level 2 information desk required. Sat, July 21, 1–4pm. Central Library, 350 W Georgia St. No cover. vpl.ca

LGBTQ Information Fair Queer organizations of all types present info booths, art exhibits, contests, entertainment and demonstrations. Sat, July 21, 10am–2pm. Central Library, 350 W Georgia St. No cover. vpl.ca

Community Yard Sale .%7 !,"5/54 /& 4(% '!-% ). 34/2%3 ./7

OCTOBER 2, 8PM, ORPHEUM THEATRE Tickets online at vancouversymphony.ca or call 604.876.3434 25&537!).72)'(4 #/- s 47)44%2 #/- 25&537!).72)'(4 s &!#%"//+ #/- 25&537!).72)'(4/&&)#)!,

The West End Cleanup crew hosts its third annual yard sale.

Get bargains and support a tidier neighbourhood.

Refreshments on site! Sat, July 14, 10am–4pm. Lord Roberts Elementary School, 1100 Bidwell St. No cover. westendcleanup.com

more at xtra.ca

For more listings, go to xtra.ca

ART, PERFORMANCE & FESTIVALS Tatas & Tiaras Burlesque Beauty Pageant Contestants compete for various titles, including Biggest Hair and Scariest Pageant Mom, with a beauty walk, talent portion, personal interview and bonus group act. Hosted by April O’Peel.

Fri, July 13, 8pm. The Rio Theatre, 1660 E Broadway. $12 advance, $15 door. riotheatre.ca

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

XPOSED Photos by Jess Munitz

East Side Pride

Serving your community for over 20 years

Despite the rain, a small crowd braved the elements on Saturday, June 30 to celebrate Pride o the Drive.

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Body Body A fundraiser for Qmunity, featuring an art auction, a performance by Jovainka, a video by Shortt and Epic, and DJs Jay Douglas and Bradenjonestown. Thurs, July 12, 5–10pm. 1181, 1181 Davie St. No cover. astrolauder.com/bodybody

Vancouver Folk Music Festival The 35th anniversary edition includes many gay faves: Ani DiFranco, Hey Rosetta, Veda Hille, Dan Mangan, Serena Ryder, Lucinda Williams, Royal Wood and many more. Fri, July 13–Sun, July 15. Jericho Beach Park. $40–165. thefestival.bc.ca

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Pride Picnic in the Park

From He to Him, from She to Her. However you look at it, we are here for that special occasion.

Bring a blanket, friends and family to this annual celebration of the beginning of Pride. Featuring games, music and a beer garden. Sat, July 21, 11am–6pm.

Brockton Oval, Stanley Park. No cover. vancouverpride.ca

Rent Fighting Chance’s 2009 production of the classic musical was a huge hit; here’s your chance to reconnect with the exuberance and heartbreak of “La Vie Boheme.� Fri, July 13–Sun, Aug 5.

Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright St. $15–40. ďŹ ghtingchanceproductions.ca

Come see us today!

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30% Gone Dancer Brian Webb continues his series of uninching selfportraits in this exploration of sex, mortality and the aging queer body.

Thurs, July 12, 9pm.

Firehall Arts Centre, 280 E Cordova St. $29+. Search “Brian Webb� on xtra.ca for our story on the piece.

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7 30% Gone: Brian Webb performs at Dancing on the Edge.

ELLIS PHOTO

1. Sophie and Kristie share a snack under the umbrella. 2. Singer/ songwriter Sarah Wheeler. 3.

Pride Society organizers Mischa Bartkow, William, Elliott Squire, Jeffory and Amanda. 4. Sage Graves, Tiffany Wong, Joanna Weber and Nina Perez. 5. Keith Reynolds, Philip Beck and Andrew Poon man the Health Initiative for Men booth. 6. Pride Society president Tim Richards (clockwise from back left) with Brian Winger, Tina and Shelly Einhart. 7. Hugo a Go-Go and the Gay Canuck.

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A World of Gay Adventure

Above, sunrise over the Ganges river.

Agra’s Taj Mahal, at right, is the world’s most photographed building and is perfect from any angle.

Below, a quiet moment on the steps of the Jama Masjid mosque, overlooking Old Delhi’s Meena Bazaar.

India Stark contrasts and unabashed affection Story by Ken Hickling Photos by David Walberg

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HE STARK CONTRASTS stand out most in my mind: poverty and extravagance, ancient and modern, pristine and positively grimy, delightfully aromatic and downright smelly — my trip to India was defined by disparities.

My six-day, breakneck tour of northern India — hosted by Out Journeys, which specializes in gay and lesbian travel to the subcontinent — began in the capital. I wasn’t sure what to expect as the bus inched its way through traffic gridlock into the city centre, but we were soon surrounded

by Delhi’s eclectic mix of architecture, both old and new. The numerous Hindu temples, Mogul forts, Muslim mosques and British Raj–era palaces were a refreshing change from the columned and buttressed Occidental style

I am so accustomed to seeing.

The jewel in Delhi’s architectural crown has got to be the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the world’s largest presidential palace. Flanked by Parliament House and the Secretariat, the complex is enormous. Just up the street from this palace on steroids is an area known as the Bungalow Zone: street after street of mini-palaces and magnificent gardens dating back to the British Raj, now home to India’s political elite. Delhi residents obviously have a completely different definition of the word bungalow — these are no modest single-level homes!

Just north of New Delhi is the walled city of Old Delhi. Although much of the wall has disappeared, many of the magnificent entry gates remain. The old section of Delhi is a tangle of streets littered with bazaars, chowks (open-air markets) and an ever-present throng of people and livestock. My first time weaving through

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traffic — some of it oncoming! — in a rickshaw was more than a little hairraising. But once I relaxed my whiteknuckled grip on the armrest, the ride was actually quite enjoyable; rickshaws are really one of the best ways to explore this part of Delhi.

Sightseeing in India is always accompanied by street vendors. I was constantly surrounded by young men trying to sell me maps, postcards and a plethora of shiny objects. I was surprised to find that this interaction also often involved my favourite pastime — flirting. On more than one occasion a vendor hooked his arm in mine or held my hand as he showed me his bejewelled trinkets. And there was always a wink and a smile in the sales pitch.

I soon noticed that this sort of interaction was occurring all around me. Indian men are not afraid to touch each other, hold hands or walk arm in arm. Shows of affection are clearly not the threats to masculinity they are in much of the West.

After leaving Delhi, we headed to Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Situated on the banks of the River Ganges, it is known as the City of Temples; to go there is like visiting another era.

Find out why YOU should be at Manchester Pride? Voted ‘Best Pride’ for the last five years by the UK’s Pink Paper, isn’t it time YOU booked a trip to Manchester! visitmanchester.com/lgbt

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

27

Planning your trip to India

An elephant ride is the best way to trek up the hill to the Amber Fort, above, located just outside of Jaipur.

At left, Jaipur is renowned for its many jewel markets selling raw and cut gems, as well as custom-designed jewellery.

Far left, afternoon prayers in Delhi’s Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque.

Traditional ink-block printing on pashmina and silk is a common sight in Jaipur’s fabric district. Some of the ink blocks are hundreds of years old.

is a common way to compliment someone. Apparently many Indian men have no hang-ups about appreciating other men’s appearances or even suggesting they’re attractive.

A day of delightful flirtation later, we clambered on and off a series of planes and buses to travel to Agra.

Agra is best known for its contribution to the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. Having seen many photos of this mausoleum dedicated to love, I wasn’t expecting to be as moved as I was seeing it in person.

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This architectural masterpiece is more sculpture than building, with its pristine white marble and intricate stone inlays, set in a sprawling Persian garden. Nestled among trees, flowers and reflecting pools, the gleaming building imparts a complete sense of calm.

I was told that the best time to visit the Taj Mahal is at sunrise or by moonlight, for an even greater sense of calm and beauty. I’m not really a sentimental person, but my immediate thought was that I have to bring my partner to India, if only to show him this.

From Agra, we rode by bus through Fatehpur Sikri and Bharatpur. I had dreaded the prospect of yet another bus ride, but this one, through the countryside, was memorable. This part of rural India, with its small villages, farmland, rolling hills and never-ending fields of yellow mustard and red chillies, is strikingly beautiful. But seeing the small villages, and getting a sense of what life is like for much of the population, was an eye-opening experience. My North American concept of basic needs, such as indoor plumbing and electricity, or essential luxuries, such as home appliances and computers, are inconceivable in this part of the world.

The northern tour ended in Jaipur, India’s “Pink City.” Everything was painted pink in 1876 to welcome Prince Albert, and the city maintains its hold on the title by receiving a regular terra cotta wash. Like many other cities in

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India, Jaipur is a shopper’s paradise. The bazaars and markets are full of all the usual tourist trinkets and shiny objects, but locals and foreigners alike make the trek to Jaipur to purchase hand-knotted silk rugs and custom-designed jewellery.

Once the seat of Indian royalty, Jaipur boasts its share of monuments, palaces and temples. Probably the most magnificent of these is the Amber Fort, a sprawling 16th-century complex built on the side of a hill. Essentially, it is miles of courtyards, gardens and minipalaces. You can either hike up the hill to the fort or hitch a ride on the back of an elephant. However you choose to reach the summit, be sure to visit the Sheesh Mahal, a suite of rooms decorated with thousands of miniature mirrored tiles that make the rooms sparkle as if studded with diamonds.

Every palace, monument and fort in India begs to be photographed. Still, I was a bit confused and a little surprised — though happy to oblige — when a young Indian man asked if I would pose with him in front of a beautiful minaret and setting sun. While his friend aimed the camera, he stood next to me, smiled, then hooked his arm around my waist and leaned into my shoulder. No difficulty smiling into the camera for that shot! In Jaipur, just as I had discovered elsewhere in Northern India, the architecture is magnificent, the scenery is incredible and the men are always smiling and not afraid to be affectionate.

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The old section doesn’t appear to have changed since it was first built.

It is still a network of unbelievably narrow streets littered with temples, shrines, shops and homes. The banks of the Ganges are dotted with ghats — steps — leading into the holy river, which is used for religious ceremonies, ritual bathing and — a scene that gave my emotions a jolt — open-air cremations. With its red-, orange- and yellowpainted buildings, brightly attired residents, and bolts of multicoloured cloth laid out to dry on the river banks, Varanasi is a strikingly colourful city.

In addition to its religious significance, Varanasi is probably best known for its fine silk weaving. Browsing the bazaars and chowks between the old and new parts of the city, I found some truly amazing silks and exquisite saris.

And just as in Delhi, the streets of Varanasi are pulsating with cars, people, rickshaws and livestock. So much so that walking in a straight line is out of the question.

Like those of Delhi, the men of Varanasi blur the lines of sensuality and flirtation. Heading down the city’s main street, I caught the gaze of a man on a moped who gave me a big toothy smile and blew me a kiss.

My first thought was that blowing a kiss has a completely different meaning in India — like, “Watch out for that pile of monkey poo right in front of you” — but our Indian guide assured me that it

A bit of prep work is required for your trip to India. To start, all foreign nationals entering the country need travel visas.

Getting them can take a while, so plan ahead. Check with the nearest Indian consulate for forms and procedures.

You will need to consult with your doctor at least one month before you travel to ensure your vaccinations are up to date.

Depending on your departure city, flights to India can be long and sometimes complicated, requiring connections or layovers. For some people, sitting on a plane for many hours is not an option, so a connecting flight with a one- or two-day layover might be a good idea. For those who just want to get there in one shot, the bigger carriers offer frequent direct flights from major airports. If you choose to fly American Airlines, you might want to consider splurging on one of its sleeper pods. Getting eight hours of comfortable sleep while in transit really does make a difference.

India has a lot to offer, and for most of us it won’t be a yearly vacation, so you will want to see and do as much as you can while you’re there. Arranging your trip through a tour company can help with that.

Out Journeys (outjourneys. com) specializes in gay and lesbian travel to India, with catered trips and fixed travel packages. Although not focused specifically on the gay and lesbian market, Go India Journeys (goindia. co.in) will ensure your time in India is memorable.

www.ponyseattle.com facebook.com/ponyseattle Twitter : @PonySeattle

28

Guidemag.com A World of Gay Adventure

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

Dallas& Fort Worth Finding the unexpected deep in the heart of Texas Story and photos

by Matt Mills

I

N 2003 THE US SUPREME COURT issued a landmark ruling that decriminalized homosexuality across the United States. But Texas, along with two other states, has yet to officially strike unenforceable anti-gay sexual morality laws from its penal code. There are no state protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation for either housing or employment. And not only is there no state recognition of same-sex partnerships, let alone gay marriage, anything like it is specifically prohibited under state law. It’s the US Bible Belt, the Republican south. It bears an overarching socially conservative zeitgeist.

Why on earth then, with all that being true, would gay travellers want to visit the state’s third-largest urban centre, Dallas/Fort Worth? Very simply, for the gay communities — the people, culture and spaces — to be found there.

The area is home to enough gay people to earn it a score among the top 20 US cities on the Gay Index, as developed by demographer Gary Gates and made famous by urban theorist Richard Florida. There are, for example, at least 20 gay bars, restaurants and other gay and gay-friendly businesses

in Dallas/Forth Worth. They range from huge to tiny and milder to wilder, and they offer something for every taste. There’s an impressive arts scene as well: theatre, fine art, film and especially country music.

To see and do Though there are good public transit options, these are not pedestrian cities, so getting around may take some planning if you’re travelling without a car.

Often called The Strip, the commercial centre of gay social and retail spaces in Dallas lies in the Oak Lawn neighbourhood, just north of the sparkling new performance spaces of the Arts District. Stretching along both sides of Cedar Springs Rd, between Oak Lawn Ave and Throckmorton St, The Strip is a tidy but busy collection of gay clubs, restaurants and clothing retailers. Standouts in the area include the huge and welcoming mostly dudes western bar, the Round-Up Saloon (roundupsaloon.com).

For the club set, Station 4 nightclub (station4dallas.com) is just across the street. Be sure to catch the worldclass drag show, Thursdays through Sundays, upstairs at The Rose Room theatre and lounge (roseroomdallas.

There is a twice-daily cattle drive at the Fort Worth Stockyards, at top. The Dallas World Aquarium, above, is located in central Dallas and boasts an indoor ecosystem complete with jungle and waterfall. There are neighbourhood gay bars sprinkled all across Dallas. Troy, at right, is a dancer at Zippers.

com). It’s a spectacle not to be missed.

Breakfast at Buli (bulicafe.com), have lunch at Hunky’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers (hunkys.com) and try dinner at Black-Eyed Pea. Located three blocks east of downtown, Deep Ellum is a bohemian enclave with a funky and eclectic mix of shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs in what was once an impoverished warehouse district. One of Dallas’s top attractions, Deep Ellum is alive with graffiti art colouring the walls and a big slice of humanity carousing the streets, shopping, drinking and eating (deepellumfoundation.org).

Bishop Arts District, centred on Davis and Bishop streets just south of the city centre, is a cluster of restaurants, boutiques and services.

This gay-friendly enclave is just five minutes from downtown Dallas.

You’ll find friendly merchants and a small-town-square atmosphere — definitely a unique area to discover (bishopartsdistrict.com).

For accommodations, check out the historic and lovely Daisy Polk Inn (daisypolkinn.com). It’s a small and quiet B&B within easy walking distance of the action.

The fine-art aficionado will be impressed. The Dallas Museum of Art (dm-art.org), the Kimbell Art Museum (kimbellart.org) and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (themodern. org) each have incredible collections of world-class work.

And for those visiting Texas for the cowboys and Western culture, the Fort Worth Stockyards is the place to be (fortworthstockyards.org).

Getting around Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (dfwairport.com) has TRE rail service (trinityrailwayexpress.org) to Union Station and seven more Dallas locations operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (dart.org). Single-fare rides, good for 90 minutes on a single bus, cost $1.75 for local and $3.50 for system-wide trips (exact change is required). Day passes are $4.

This city sprawls in every direction, so a car is the easiest way to get around.

The Oak Lawn area is walkable, but during the hot and humid season you may crave the air-conditioning of a car more than its wheels.

Dallas’s Stonewall In the early morning hours of Sunday, June 29, 2009, a band of police entered the newly opened Forth Worth dance and hangout bar, The Rainbow Lounge. It happened within hours of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The cops behaved badly, shoving patrons around before arresting a number of them on trumped-up charges. One of those arrested, Chad Gibson, suffered a brain injury while in police custody and barely survived.

The gay communities in Dallas and Fort Worth mobilized in protest against the raid. An investigation subsequently revealed that The Rainbow Lounge ought not to have been raided at all. Two officers were fired, all outstanding charges were dropped, and Gibson went on to receive damages for his injuries. The Rainbow Lounge remains a popular spot in Fort Worth, with a documentary film, Raid of the Rainbow Lounge, making the rounds on the festival circuit this year. As was the case with the 1981 Toronto bathhouse riots, The Rainbow Lounge raid effectively galvanized gay people across Texas to press their governments for change and to demand fair treatment from law enforcement.

“Those events have left a very positive legacy,” says Todd Camp, artistic director of Forth Worth’s gay film festival, Q Cinema. Camp was in the bar the night of the raid and helped organize the community response. “We have seen some truly stunning changes in city politics and how LGBT citizens are treated in Fort Worth in the aftermath,” he says.

Events AWOL Fri, Aug 10–Sun, Aug 12, 2012.

Various venues. A Week of Leather is the annual Leather Knights run, bar crawl and formal dinner party. Mr AWOL contest, spa excursion, cocktail parties, tea dance at the Dallas Eagle, cigar social and more. leatherknights.org

DALLAS PRIDE Sun, Sept 16, 2012. Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade, 2pm from Cedar Springs Rd; Festival in Lee Park, noon to 8pm. Events and festivities, live entertainment and parties. dallasprideparade.com

Trip advisor BARS & CLUBS JR’s Round-Up Saloon

LODGINGS Daisy Polk Inn Warwick Melrose Hotel

RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS Black-Eyed Pea Dream Café Uptown

SAUNAS & SEX CLUBS Club Dallas Midtowne Spa

SHOPPING & SERVICES Leather Masters Lost Antiques Read more about Dallas/ Fort Worth at guidemag.com, which lists more than 70 gay and lesbian places of interest.

on the web Visit Dallas ›visitdallas.com Dallas Tavern Guild ›dallastavernguild.org Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau ›fortworth.com

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

29

Quirky attractions IS QUEER OF THE YEAR Roadsideamerica.com is a great resource for quirky museums, ironic monuments and must-see oddities. From the unusual to the overlooked, the site lists a range of fun diversions. Among the highlights listed for Palm Springs are three celebrity statues:

The beat goes on THE STATUE: Most famous for singing with and being married to Cher, Sonny Bono served as mayor of Palm Springs from 1988 to 1992. A bronze sculpture depicts Bono in a relaxed, grinning pose in his “older politician” days. He was killed in a 1998 skiing accident during his second term as a US congressman. Location: Mercado Plaza, 149 S Palm Canyon Dr, intersection of La Plaza.

THE GRAVE: About five kilometres from Palm Springs, in nearby Cathedral City, Bono’s final resting spot is easy to spot — just look for the mound of flowers. Even though the cemetery removes them weekly on “No Flowers Wednesday,” the outpouring of love from Bono’s many fans maintains the floral monument. Location: Desert Memorial Park, 31705 Da Vall Dr, Cathedral City.

Sonny Bono’s grave marker. LIAM HUGHES

Yodel-ay-ee-oo!

In front of the shopping centre that bears his name sits a larger-than-life bronze statue of singing cowboy legend Gene Autry, which tourists report “looks creepy at night.” Location: Gene Autry Plaza, corner of Ramon Rd and Gene Autry Trail.

I love Lucy Across from the Palm Springs Art Museum a bronze sculpture depicts comedian Lucille Ball sitting casually on a park bench, perhaps waiting for her close-up. Some tourists have observed that the statue “doesn’t really look like Lucy.” Location: 100 N Palm Canyon Dr, at Tahquitz Canyon Way.

Gene Autry, the singing cowboy.

TIGERPAW2154

roadsideamerica.com

YOUR TICKET TO MONTREAL? Matthew Hays

If you’re looking for a way to get to Montreal this summer, you might want to consider applying to compete in Tourism Montreal’s “Queer of the Year” (QOTY) competition.

Applications can be submitted online, and five finalists will be flown to Montreal during the city’s Pride Week (Aug 11–19) to compete in a number of activities that will be filmed, turned into shorts and posted online. An online vote then decides the Queer of the Year.

This is the third year for Montreal’s QOTY contest, and Tourism Montreal’s Tanya Churchmuch says the response to the event has been “overwhelming. People really have had a lot of fun with it. Everyone wants to come to Montreal, and the contests we set up allow for participants to experience the city in a very different way.”

Last year’s contest included a figure-skating match hosted by a drag queen. There were cooking classes and a character-themed photo shoot. This year, Churchmuch promises, things are “going to get really crazy. We’ve decided to make the tasks asked of our contestants stranger — but every bit as fun.”

Contestants are judged on five criteria — personality, talent, healthy lifestyle, community spirit and sex appeal — and the winner gets

Who will win the QOTY title? SID LEE AGENCY

another all-expenses-paid trip to Montreal (return airfare, three nights at the luxury Hôtel Le Germain and $5,000 spending money). The four runners-up don’t do badly, either: their stays are paid for and each gets $1,000 in spending money.

This year, noted digital artist Joe Sabia (who has worked on videos for Barack Obama’s reelection campaign and Google) has been brought onboard to co-produce the QOTY videos. “I’m really excited by what he will bring to the contest,” Churchmuch says.

She says the competition was hatched as a means of tapping into a younger queer tourist demographic.

“Older gay and lesbian tourists know about Montreal, but many younger people don’t know how inviting the city is to queer people,

or how much fun it is. We wanted to raise awareness among that group.”

Churchmuch says there’s one thing she knows about queer tourists who come to Montreal: “Once they come once, they come back. The rate of return is very high. Once people get a feel for how much fun Montreal is, they come back again and again.”

The application deadline is Friday, July 20.

For more info on the contest, see the Queer of the Year Contest page on Facebook.

on the web Tourism Montreal’s Gay Life blog ›tourisme-montreal.org/ blog/gay-life Follow QOTY on Twitter ›twitter.com/QOTYcontest

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Visit the contest section of Xtra.ca for your chance to win two round-trip economy tickets courtesy of Air Canada.

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XTRA! JUL7 12, 2012

Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Real Estate

Xtra’s guide to the lucrative gay & lesbian housing market.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 604-684-9696

Is it cheaper to buy a home in New Westminster? YES!

NEW LISTING!

#4 58 Richmond St. LARGE 2,500ft townhouse, 4 bath, 3 bed, den, dbl garage, skytrain, greenbelt, heated oors, pets ok, family room. $568,800 OBO

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Re/MAX advantage

Susan Cameron

West Coast Realty

Timothy James Moreau

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Bringing you home ... with pride!

timothym@sutton.com www.timothyjamesmoreau.ca

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Sir Richard Branson owns one of these... and you can too. There is a reason behind the rich and famous, the entrepreneur and artist choosing to live on the water, rather than next to it. # 22-1525 COAL HARBOUR WY VANCOUVER WEST, DOWNTOWN WHAT A LIFESTYLE! Premier views of Stanley Park from FIREWATER, the biggest 2 bedroom oat home in prestigious Coal Harbour. Tasteful, updated two bedroom retreat includes oating deck for watching the marine life go by.

$528,000

$199,900

1640 KENT AVE VANCOUVER EAST, FRASERVIEW Craftsman built oathome with great attention to detail. Tastefully tiled kitchen wall and back splash, two bathrooms and spacious master bedroom. Includes 10 X 24 deck off the master for relaxing and watching the river go by. Bonus is a 12 1/2’ mercury dinghy!

Ricki Willing 604.788.9727 Your Floating Home Specialist

www.oathomesales.com

Sutton Seafair Realty

P R E M I E R

R E A L T Y

IAN EGGLETON I love what I do and it would be my privilege to help you make your next move Re/Max Clara Hartree 604-773-1443 WWW IANEGGLETON COM s ian@ianeggleton.com PROUDLY SELLING VANCOUVER AND THE NORTH SHORE

Being passionate, driven and committed in providing above average service and results within his chosen career has placed Chris in the top 10% of REALTORSÂŽ for sales and listings within the West End area over the past year.

To learn more about Chris and the results he can provide to you as a valued client, please visit

www.chriswendland.com

Chris Wendland Macdonald Realty Ltd. 1050 Howe St Vancouver Mobile: 778-232-8319 Phone: 604-689-5115 Fax: 604-689-5665

cwendland@shaw.ca

Ask a

REALTOR

Question: I have seen the term “CMA� a lot when considering listing my property. What does it mean?

Answer: Before placing a home on the market or listing with a real estate agent, savvy home sellers obtain a comparative market analysis, also referred to in the industry as a CMA. A typical CMA report contains the following data: Active listings: Active l i s t i ng s a re h o m e s currently for sale. These listings matter only to the extent that they are your competition for buyers. They are not indicative of market value because sellers can ask whatever they want for their homes.

It doesn’t mean any of the prices are realistic.

The offered sales prices do not reflect market value until they sell, and in buyer’s markets, for example, most sell for a lot less.

Sold listings: Homes that have closed within the past six months are your comparable sales. These are the sales an appraiser will use when appraising your home for the buyer, along with the pending sales. Look long and hard at the comparable sales because those are your market value.

Examining comparable sales: Comparable sales are those that most closely resemble your condo. Select the condos from this list that are mostly identical to your home in size, shape and condition, such as: Location: A condo with a view of the city, for example, is worth more than a home facing a cement wall. Compare your home to those in similar locations.

Chris Wendland 778-232-8319 cwendland@shaw.ca Macdonald Realty

more at xtra.ca

Real Estate

PROFILE

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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P R E M I E R

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

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Please allow time for viewings as the suite is tenanted.

Klaus Rode 604.760.5856 www.klausrode.ca

32

Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

XTRA! JULY 12, 2012

indexdirectory.ca Vancouver’s online directory of

indexdirectory.ca ACCOMMODATIONS - BRITISH COLUMBIA Bluff View Cottage 250-539-3475 Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa 1-866-626-8960 The Eagle’s Nest B&B 1-866-766-9350

ACCOUNTANTS Accounting+ Best Books Inc Felicity Webb

604-374-1424 604-215-8872 604-721-7537

ADDICTIONS Orchard Recovery

604-947-0420

ADULT Wega Video

1-800-361-9929

AIDS/HIV RESOURCES A Loving Spoonful 604-682-6325 AIDS Vancouver 604-893-2201 AIDS Vancouver Island 250-384-2366 ANKORS, Kootenay/Boundary HIV/ AIDS Network, Outreach & Support 1-800-421-2437 Dr Peter AIDS Foundation 604-331-5086 HIM - Health Initiative for Men 604-488-1001 Positive Living Society of BC 604-893-2200 Youth Community Outreach AIDS Society 604-688-1441

AIRLINES Harbour Air Seaplanes 604-274-1277

ALTERATIONS Simdy’s Fashion Alterations

604-633-0828

gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses Redtree Dental Yaletown Laser

BICYCLES Bernstein & Gold Interiors Jett Grrl Bike Studio

604-687-1535 604-255-5097

BLINDS Budget Blinds

604-263-0050

BOAT CRUISES & CHARTERS Waterway House Boats 1-877-WATERWAY

BODY DESIGN & MODIFICATION Adorned Precision Body Arts

778-231 2-653

BUSINESS SUPPLIES & SERVICES Mail Box Plus

604-683-1433

BUTCHERS Tango’s Gourmet Meats 604-681-2121

CAMPGROUNDS & CAMPS Triangle Recreation Camp camptrc.org

CATERING Emelle’s Catering 604-875-6551 Out To Lunch Catering 604-681-7177

CLEANING & MAID SERVICES

604-873-3337 604-70-SMILE

EDUCATION & INSTRUCTION Emily Carr 604-844-3810 Vancouver Elementary School Teachers’ Association 604-873-8378 Vancouver Photo Walks 604-318-1277

ENTERTAINMENT ActorWorks Vancouver 604-723-1776 Ballet British Columbia 604-732-5003 DanceHouse 604-801-6225 Museum of Vancouver 604-736-4431 Playland 604-253-2311 Scotiabank Dance Centre 604-606-6400 Sounds & Furies Productions 604-253-7189 Vancouver Symphony Orchestra 604-876-3434

EVENT PLANNING & PROMOTIONS Flygirl Productions

604-839-9819

Jennifer Maier

FINANCIAL SERVICES 604-468-0888

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CLOTHING - DESIGNER

Access Healing Centre 604-568-4663 Alternative Health Choices Unlimited for Health & Wellness 604-465-7998 Dr Anita Komonski 604-568-7655 Ingite Smoke Shop 778-786-0977 Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary 604-255-1844 Med Pot Now Society 604-569-2119 MyCannaMeds mycm.ca

Astor & Black Mr Mz Boutique

APPLIANCES

COMMUNITY GROUPS & SERVICES

Walkey & Company Funeral Directors 24hrs: 604-738-0006

Community Based Research Centre QMUNITY West End Seniors’ Network Society

FURNITURE

Coast Wholesale Appliances coastappliances.com Red Door Discount Warehouse 604-569-3232

APARTMENTS CAPREIT

caprent.com

ARTISTS Emily Carr

604-844-3810

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS Axle Alley Dueck Downtown George & Berny’s Repairs Ltd Jim Pattison Hyundai Northshore Jim Pattison Toyota Downtown

604-875-9988 604-675-7900 604-731-8644 604-985-0055 604-682-8881

604-675-7900 604-924-4542 604-985-0055 604-682-8881

BANKING RBC Royal Bank

royalbank.com

BATHHOUSES Steamworks Vancouver 604-974-0602

BATHROOM Ripples Kitchen & Bath

604-879-6999

BEAUTY CARE David Blue Hair Design

604-298-3770 604-418-6328

CLOTHING - VINTAGE Deluxe Junk Co

604-685-4871

604-568-7478 604-684-5307 604-669-5051

COMPUTER SALES & SERVICES Mac Station Vancouver WhiteWay IT Solutions Ltd

macstation.com 778-384-1210

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COUNSELLING ah-ha! Counselling & Consulting 604-537-0130 Bill Coleman 778-320-4850 Bekar Counselling 778-990-1825 Dragonstone Counselling 604-738-7557 Lehmann Counselling Service 604-614-8121 Preece & Associates Psychological Consulting 604-685-5968 Tricia Antoniuk 778-378-2633 Vilayvanh Sengsouvanh 778-866-5017 Willow Tree Counselling 604-521-3404

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Vancouver Gas Fireplaces

604-732-3470

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604-366-4386

FLORISTS Coal Harbour Florist + Green Design 604-669-5678 Hanamo Florist 604-685-3649

FUNERAL SERVICES

Aarm Dental Group 604-647-0006 Dr Dean Wershler Inc 604-688-4080 Dr Langston Raymond 604-687-1008 Dr Sam Daher 604-662-3290

604-278-8456 604-736-5956 604-685-5625

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604-568-2020

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Davie St: 604-669-8313 Robson St: 604-683-6155

HEALTH Hospital Employees’ Union heu.org The Vancouver Health Show 1-888-999-1761

HEALTH - MEN’S Community Based Research Centre 604-568-7478 Integrative Healing Arts 604-738-1012

HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE Carruthers Dermatology Centre Inc 604-714-0222 Vancouver Lipo Laser 604-904-0888 Yaletown Laser 604-70-SMILE

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City-Dog.ca Pet Services 604-608-6959 Kitty Kare 604-813-4239 Latisha’s Pet Care 778-385-7313 The Vancouver Pet Expo 1-800-626-1538

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Feeling Photography sweet earth photographics The Shooting Gallery Vancouver Photo Walks

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Nextstep Communication

next-step.ca

604-366-4386 778-997-9642

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BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (BCSMSSA) 604-682-6482 Men’s Bereavement & Support Group 604-684-5307 xt 112

MORTGAGE

HOLISTIC HEALTH

East Side Re-Rides

NATUROPATHY Dr Anita Komonski

PSYCHICS

604-765-4823

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OPTICAL SERVICES

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AUTOMOTIVE SALES & LEASING Dueck Downtown Jim Pattison Cars Unlimited Jim Pattison Hyundai Northshore Jim Pattison Toyota Downtown

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MEDICAL MARIHUANA G.A. BEAULIEU COMPASSION SOCIETY Free access to ďŹ ling for Medical Marihuana. We ďŹ ll out all your forms with you, ďŹ le with the government and grow it. All with just one call.

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Vancouver’s gay & lesbian news

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Jabs & pokes The StuďŹ&#x192;ngton Post Graeme Gerrard

W

I L L SWAG G E R LO O KS U N comfortable from the beginning â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but who can blame him? The mature brunetteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arms are tied behind his back and to the ceiling, his muscular thighs are roped to his ankles, and he kneels precariously on a vinyl-padded box three feet square. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in trouble.

He struggles in vain before blond Sebastian Keys arrives wearing boxing gloves. The younger, leaner Keys begins with some light body-work. He rubs the thick leather gloves around Swaggerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s torso, with intermittent taps, jabs and punches.

Keys strokes his partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s black jock, before laying a series of soft punches on his tense abs. He licks his nipple one moment, then strikes it the next. He turns him around and punches, with increasing power, the largest muscle in the human body. Swaggerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ass reddens.

Shortly the gloves come off and Keys uses his god-given dexterity to get Swagger hard and keep him that way, all while Swagger is still roped to the ceiling. He shares the oral responsibility by jumping to his feet and stuffing himself in Swaggerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face. Swagger doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to mind. This continues for

The gloves come off as Sebastian Keys dominates a tied-up Will Swagger on Bound Jocks.

BOUNDJOCKS.COM

the rest of the scene.

The second half again opens on Swagger harnessed to the ceiling above. This time, however, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bound by his right foot. Upside down now, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in even more trouble.

Keys arrives in the same assless red underwear from the previous scene, but without boxing gloves. His smirk is telling. No one ought to be surprised that he begins by sucking and biting his partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nipples before shoving his package in Swaggerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face.

The couple lick and bite at fabric. They suck and bite on skin. By the time they start fucking, Swagger wants it so badly that he looks disturbed. Keys satiates Swaggerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s de-

sire for a hard fucking by fucking him hard, all while Swaggerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foot is tied four feet above his head.

The dynamic of the younger top forcefeeding the older manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire to be dominated is what makes this scene so impressive.

Bound Jocksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; compulsion for producing bondage-themed porn is understandable given that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so good at it. The scenes are uniformly clean and well shot.

What surprises me is that although this is a bondage-themed site, and Swagger was certainly bound for the duration, the sex was remarkably passionate, some might even say romantic.

GET ALL THE INCHES YOU WANT!

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