Bee-Dee Bloggin

Mike Huckabee - This Could Be Your Next President

2010-04-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Mike Huckabee, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and is a possible candidate for 2012 has said that allowing gays and lesbians to marry is as inappropriate as legalising incest, polygamy and drug use. He also condemned gays adopting saying "children are not puppies."

Mr Huckabee was speaking to journalism students at The College of New Jersey in Ewing last week in an interview that was published last night. Mr Huckabee said not all groups in society need to be accommodating if their lifestyle is outside of "the ideal."

"That would be like saying, well there's there are a lot of people who like to use drugs so let's go ahead and accommodate those who want to use drugs. There are some people who believe in incest, so we should accommodate them. There are people who believe in polygamy, should we accommodate them?" he said. "Why do you get to choose that two men are OK but one man and three women aren't OK?" he asked the students.

"I don't have to prove that marriage is a man and a woman in a relationship for life. They have to prove that two men can have an equally definable relationship called marriage, and somehow that that can mean the same thing."

Since the students published the transcript of the interview, Mr Huckabee released a statement saying: "I do not believe we should change the traditional definition of marriage." He said the students were sensationalising his comments as he feels his views are "well-known and hardly unusual views of same-sex marriage."

In 1992, he told the Associated Press: "I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle." He called AIDS patients as "carriers of this plague," and added they should be isolated.

While Arkansas governor he said: "Marriage has historically never meant anything other than a man and a woman. It has never meant two men, two women, a man and his pet, or a man and a whole herd of pets."

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee gave an interview this week to the College of New Jersey news magazine The Perspective, and discussed several gay rights issues. Huckabee said the implementation of gays in the military would be a "social experiment". He compared gays who want to get married to drug users and polygamists. And he warned that parenting was a serious matter, suggesting that gays and lesbians who adopt were experimenting, as if with pets.

On Don't Ask, Don't Tell:

"I wouldn’t support a repeal if I were commander-in-chief...You don’t see foot soldiers out there demanding it. I’m not sure that’s the most important thing we ought to be doing for the military. ... [‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’] touches an extraordinarily small group of people. [Calls to repeal it are] primarily a posturing point for political purposes [and an attempt to] force something on the military that they themselves haven’t pushed that hard. I think we certainly should be very sensitive to the fact that the purpose of the military is not to see if we can create social experiments."

On marriage equality:

"Even civil unions are not necessary. I think there’s been a real level of being disingenuous on the part of the gay and lesbian community with their goal of civil unions...You don’t go ahead and accommodate every behavioral pattern that is against the ideal. That would be like saying, well, there are a lot of people who like to use drugs, so let’s go ahead and accommodate those who want who use drugs. There are some people who believe in incest, so we should accommodate them. There are people who believe in polygamy, so we should accommodate them.'"

On gay adoption and foster care:

"I think this is not about trying to create statements for people who want to change the basic fundamental definitions of family. And always we should act in the best interest of the children, not in the seeming interest of the adults...Children are not puppies. This is not a time to see if we can experiment and find out, how does this work?"

'Gay Cure' Doctor Charged with Sexual Abuse of Patient

2010-03-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

A Canadian psychiatrist who was known as Doctor Shock for experiments on gay people in apartheid-era South Africa has been accused of sexually abusing a male patient.

Dr Aubrey Levin worked as chief psychiatrist in the country's military in the 1970s and 1980s. Most of his reported subjects were young white men, some of whom claimed they had been subjected to electric shocks and hormone treatment to 'cure' them of homosexuality.

Those who could not be 'cured' were instead given chemical castrations and sex changes, it has been claimed.

Levin was also accused of drugging conscientious objectors and soldiers who admitted to marijuana use.

He moved to Calgary 15 years ago and worked at the University of Calgary's medical school.

He was arrested last week after a 36-year-old patient secretly filmed him allegedly making sexual advances to him and is now on bail.

Levin has been suspended from practising and faces charges of repeatedly indecently assaulting a 36-year-old man.

Police are now reviewing 30 other claims from patients and more men have come forward since the allegations were reported.

Attention will now turn to how he was able to enter Canada and continue practising psychiatry.

South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission was told that he was guilty of "gross human rights abuses" but Levin was able to suppress media attention on his past by threatening lawsuits against newspapers which attempted to delve into the claims.

He denies the human rights abuses and has said that he only treated those who wanted to be cured.

Levin is expected to appear in court of April 8th.

California Republican Homophobe is Gay

2010-03-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

The California senator who was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving last week after leaving a gay club has publicly declared his homosexuality. Records show that he has voted against every gay rights measure in the state Senate since taking office, including the Harvey Milk memorial day, recognising marriages performed in other states and a measure to ban insurers discriminating against gays.
He justified this by saying he voted how he expected his constituents wanted him to.

Roy Ashburn said he was gay on a local radio show yesterday. “I am gay. Those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long", he said. Mr Ashburn, a Republican, was arrested last Wednesday morning when police saw him driving erratically. He was found to be over the alcohol limit and had another man in his car.

The divorced father of four told AM 1180 KERN Radio: “I felt my duty – and I still feel this way – is to represent my constituents, not my own point of view, not my own internal conflict.” He added "I’ve always believed that I could keep my personal life personal and my public life public. But through my own actions, I have made my personal life public."

The 55-year-old would not state whether he would continue living out of the closet, saying: “I would ask people to pray for me. My faith is very clear and very firm. “I pray to God that I can find peace, and I want to go back to work in the Senate and work hard for the people who sent me to the legislature.”

Mr Ashburn is to appear in court next month to answer charges of driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol level higher than .08 per cent. He said months ago he would not seek re-election. Not sure if this is in relation to the senate or to heterosexuality!

Gays Erased From Canadian History

2010-03-03T21:40:00.000-08:00

The Canadian Press revealed Tuesday that Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, edited references to gay rights and protection out of a newly released study guide for immigrants applying for citizenship.

Both references to the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969, and the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2005, were deleted, over repeated objections from senior department officials. The guide's sections on equal rights and protection against discrimination were also eliminated.

"Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1969 and more recently, civil marriage rights to same-sex couples was legalized nationwide in 2005," the earliest draft of the guide says under the section Towards a Modern Canada. In the section on citizenship rights, the early draft said: "Equality Rights - Canadians are protected against discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or age." Neither sentence remains in the Kenney's revised edition.

Kenney has so far refused to answer any media questions on the study guide, though the day after the Canadian Press story was filed, Kenney discussed his concerns about seven new refugee claims coming out of the Vancouver Olympics.

Kenney is a staunch Conservative from a Calgary riding, who consistently fought gay marriage in Canada, and commented to journalists in 2005 that gays had every right to marry - as long as it wasn't to someone of the same sex.

Gay rights advocates blasted the Immigration Minister on Tuesday. Out gay lawmaker Bill Siksay demanded a re-RE-write of the study guide, and scoffed, "Jason Kenney can't edit gays and lesbians out of Canadian history."

Canada has long been known as a safe haven for the LGBT community abroad who maybe living in fear of persecution in their home country. Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, speaking on behalf of Immigration critic Maurizio Bevilacqua, noted that it was under a Liberal government that protection was granted for refugee claimants entering Canada because of persecution for their sexual orientation.

The new guide, updated from the 1995 edition, was released on November 12th, and citizenship applicants will start being tested on its contents March 15th.

Write your local Member of Parliament, email Kenney directly at kennej@parl.gc.ca, or contact Prime Minister Harper's office to voice your concerns. Email: pm@pm.gc.ca

Pedestrian, Vehicle or Cyclist?

2010-03-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

I had this weird situation with one of the army of police officers down at Dundas Square last night. I was biking home and decided to take this route to catch some of the festivities. As I was stopped at the lights on Yonge heading south, people were crossing every which way and police were directing cars through breaks. I started to ride on, when I was grabbed from behind and questioned by an officer - choose one, are you a pedestrian or a vehicle? I answered neither, then the other officers allowed traffic to go through the red light and by blocking the pedestrians to allow vehicles through. The one officer questioning me said, okay you're free to go now. So was I wrong with wanting to ride across the rode with the mass of pedestrians, or should I have waited for the police to allow vehicles through? Was I considered a pedestrian, vehicle, or cyclist and who's rules do I follow in this type of situation?

Malawi Gay Couple May Face 14 Years In Prison

2010-01-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

While many westernized nations around the world are progressing, albeit slowly in some places such as the United States, many nations still persecute members of the LGBT community solely for being who they are. Recently a male couple chose to participate in a marriage ceremony in the African replublic of Malawi, a region where gay lifestyle is shunned upon, most likely as a result of ignorance. It is a very brave move for anyone to stand up and take a stance, and I think global organizations such as United Nations and Amnesty International need to get involved immmediately to prevent these two innocent individuals from going to jail.

Malawi's government recently defended the prosecution of this couple, and Information Minister Leckford Mwanza Thoto noted that Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were clearly breaking the laws of Malawi. He was quoted in the Mail and Guardian online as saying, "Despite Malawi depending on international aid, the country is a sovereign country with its own laws and must not be influenced by the West in the running of its affairs of state."

Monjeze and Chimbalanga were arrested on December 28th after holding a wedding ceremony in Blantyre. They face up to 14 years in prison if convicted. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been remanded in custody after failing to secure bail.

The men's lawyers are arguing that the prosecution is unconstitutional and have asked for a review of the country's homosexuality laws. Their legal team has asked for the case to be held before the Constitutional Court, but the presiding judge in Blantyre has said he will continue with the trial until the higher court accepts the case. The trial is expected to resume next week.

Since their arrest the police and government has allowed these men to be publicly ridiculed, held in jail without sufficient reason, and have succumbed to considerable stress and inhumane living conditions that has brought on severe illness and health concerns. The time to act is now. Send word out to the world that ignorance, disrimination and inhumanity will not be tolerated.

Government of Malawi - www.malawi.gov.mw
United Nations - www.un.org
Amnesty International - www.amnesty.org

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More on Malawi -

The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and it borders Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size is over 118,000 km² with an estimated population of more than 13,900,000. Its capital is Lilongwe, the biggest city is Blantyre. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area.

Malawi was first settled during the 10th century and remained under native rule until 1891 when it was colonized by the British, who ruled the country until 1964. Upon gaining independence it became a single-party state under the presidency of Hastings Banda, who remained president until 1994, when he was ousted from power. Bingu Mutharika, elected in 2004, is the current president. Malawi has a democratic, multi-party government. Malawi has a small military force that includes an army, a navy and an air wing. Malawi's foreign policy is pro-Western and includes positive diplomatic relations with most countries and participation in several international organizations.

Malawi is among the world's least developed and most densely populated countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population. The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs, although this need (and the aid offered) has decreased since 2000. The Malawian government faces challenges in growing the economy, improving education, health care and the environmental protection and becoming financially independent. Malawi has several programs developed since 2005 that focus on these issues, and the country's outlook appears to be improving, with improvements in economic growth, education and healthcare seen in 2007 and 2008.

Malawi has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which is a drain on the labor force and government expenditures, and is expected to have a significant impact on gross domestic product (GDP) by 2010. There is a diverse population of native peoples, Asians and Europeans, with several languages spoken and an array of religious beliefs. Although there was tribal conflict in the past, by 2008 it had diminished considerably and the concept of a Malawian nationality had begun to form. Malawi has a culture combining native and colonial aspects, including sports, art, dance and music.

Obama Dines With Killer

2010-01-19T06:54:00.000-08:00

David Bahati, the MP who authored Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill, is expected to attend a prayer breakfast with US president Barack Obama.

Bahati told the Ugandan newspaper Sunday Monitor he would be attending the National Prayer Breakfast on February 4th.

The event usually attended by the president, who the newspaper described as a "gays-tolerant liberal president".

The breakfast is organised by The Fellowship – a secretive conservative Christian organisation which is also known as The Family. Its members include politicians, religious leaders and corporate executives.

Bahati may be asked to speak at the event, which will also be attended by Congress members and Cabinet secretaries. Previous speakers have included Tony Blair, Bono and Mother Theresa.

Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni signalled last week that he was stepping back from the bill, which would execute gays in some circumstances.

He said his country must consider its "foreign interests" and cited world leaders such as British prime minister Gordon Brown, who had expressed his concern about the proposed legislation.

Bahati, the MP for Ndorwa West, has refused to back down, saying his bill will "protect the traditional family".

The country's minister for ethics James Nsaba Buturo said recently he believed Museveni did not support the death penalty for gays and said the provision was likely to be removed from the bill.

Aston Kajara, minister of state for investments, has also said the bill is "unnecessary".

The bill would impose the death penalty on gays who sex with minors, disabled people or while living with HIV, along with repeat offenders. Other homosexuality offences, such as failing to report incidents to police, would result in imprisonment.

It is expected to come before parliament in late February or early March.

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The main sponsor of Uganda's "kill the gays" bill, David Bahati, is planning to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. in February, Uganda's Sunday Monitor reports:

David_bahati "Mr Bahati, according to reports, may speak at the event where President Barack Obama – a gays-tolerant liberal president, is also expected to attend. On Friday, Mr Bahati said he would attend. The event is organised by The Fellowship- a conservative Christian organisation, which has deep political connections and counts several high-ranking conservative politicians in its membership. 'I intend to attend the prayer breakfast,' said Mr Bahati - himself a part organiser of the Ugandan equivalent of the national prayer breakfast. This week, citing international pressure, President Yoweri Museveni advised his party’s National Executive Committee, his cabinet and the NRM parliamentary caucus to 'go slow' on the Bill. Mr Bahati told Inside Politics he is set to meet a special cabinet session to discuss the Bill tomorrow. 'The nature of legislation is such that one cannot have a final version. There are bound to be amendments but the process will go on,' he said. The entire affair has given the Museveni administration its worst spate of bad publicity in recent times. Mr Museveni called it a foreign policy matter - elevating the Bill to the status of other concerns for the government like its engagement in the African Union and the United Nations Security Council."

"The Fellowship" is aka "The Family".

Last week, it was announced that prominent Ugandan evangelical pastor (and pal of Rick Warren) Martin Ssempa was planning a "Million Man March" to demonstrate popular support for the "kill the gays" bill.

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A media personality who has been accused of homophobia will reportedly be appointed South Africa's ambassador to Uganda next month.

Jon Qwelane, a writer for the Sunday Sun, has used his column to espouse his views on homosexuality. He has attacked gay marriage and said he would disown his children if any were to come out as gay.

He has also praised Robert Mugabe for his "unflinching and unapologetic" views on homosexuality. The Zimbabwe president described gays and lesbians as "sub-animal".

Opposition party Democratic Alliance called Qwelane an "admitted homophobe" and said his appointment could be seen as a "tacit endorsement" of Uganda's current stance on homosexuality.

Uganda's parliament is currently considering a bill which would execute or imprison gays. The bill is expected to receive strong support when it is debated this spring.

Gay groups in South Africa have also reacted angrily to Qwelane's reported appointment with SA GLAAD calling him a "disgraced" homophobe.

Christina Engela, of SA GLAAD, told PinkNews.co.uk: "This is a resounding slap in the face to the pink community in South Africa and coupled with the government's failure to condemn the Ugandan genocide bill, it gives tacit approval to Ugandan human rights violations – and raises valid concerns about the future of gay rights in this country also."

The South African press has reported that President Jacob Zuma will announce Qwelane's appointment next month. Qwelane supported Zuma when he was accused of corruption.

The Sunday Times said that the International Relations department was waiting for Uganda to approve the choice.

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More about the National Prayer Breakfast -

The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., on the first Thursday of February each year. The founder of this event was Abraham Vereide.[1] The event—which is actually a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners—has taken place since 1953 and has been held at least since the 1980s at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue N.W.

The breakfast, held in the Hilton’s International Ballroom, is attended by some 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries. The National Prayer Breakfast is hosted by members of the United States Congress and is organized on their behalf by The Fellowship Foundation, a conservative Christian organization more widely known as "The Family." Initially called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, the name was changed in 1970 to the National Prayer Breakfast.

It is designed to be a forum for political, social and business leaders of the world to assemble together and build relationships which might not otherwise be possible. ("[T]he breakfast is regarded by the Family as merely a tool in a larger purpose: to recruit the powerful attendees into smaller, more frequent prayer meetings, where they can 'meet Jesus man to man.'"[2]) Since the inception of the National Prayer Breakfast, several U.S. states and cities and other countries have established their own annual prayer breakfast events.

The event has been criticized by organizations such as American Atheists and the Freedom From Religion Foundation,[3] who describe it as violating separation of church and state.

Interview with Playwright Julian DeZotti

2010-01-15T10:47:00.000-08:00

Guns and Roses: The Play - Closes January 15th
More Here - http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/285051

1. What was your inspiration for writing this play?
I started writing this back in university as an assignment for a playwriting class and I was still interested in telling a "high school" story at the time that wasn't teen issue/high drama.

2. Who are you looking at to attract in your audience?
A NEW theatre audience - people who see theatre as this place for big budget musicals or Shakespeare. I wanted to get people interested in a good old fashioned stage play, reach outside the Toronto indie theatre community. This includes youth as well who either don't have access to theatre because of how much it costs or lack of interest. They are so bombarded with media these days, I wanted to attract them to the live medium, one I strongly believe in.

3. Are there school groups attending?
Yes we have a couple Arts schools in the area coming, and we are bringing a school from a low income neighbourhood as well because it should be accessible to all!

4. What sort of research was involved? Who did you speak with?
I spoke with teenagers (and just overheard conversations on the subway), friends of mine who were involved in rave and ecstasy culture when they were in their teens. I also did a lot of book reading, articles, documentaries, etc. I had people who work at Breakaway Youth and Family Services assess the accuracy of the script, specifically the behaviour of the characters when under the influence. That in tandem with dramaturgical work - a lot of colleagues read it and gave feedback on that.

5. Why Rosedale neighbourhood teens as opposed to other sections of the city?
Rosedale has a very affluent area with some low-income apartments sometimes in the same neigbourhood. I was interested in trying to cover that socio-economic spectrum in the story.

6. When did you finish high school? How old are you now?
I finished 10 years ago now. I am currently 27. I started writing it when I was 22. It sat in a drawer for almost four years in between then.

7. Do you consider a big difference between pot and ecstasy experimentation with youth?
Yes and No. YES because they are two VERY different drugs - ecstasy is manufactured, the primary component being MDMA and then its mixed with a lot of other stuff one usually does not know about before taking it. Its affects are more potent especially on the chemistry of your body. Pot is natural, it's a plant and its affects are less intense. NO because the key word is experimentation. For the most part, teenagers are going to try new things (alcohol, drugs, etc) for many different reasons, one being it is just a part of growing up.

8. How did you connect with the others involved with the project? What sort of call out was done or was it friends and friends of friends?
Because of the lack of rehearsal time and production time I could not hold auditions. I also needed to go with people who I've had experience rehearsing with (we only had two weeks) or people that I trusted recommending someone to me. For the most part I just made the calls. Two of the actors are from the reading I had last year at Canadian Stage.

9. Why Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts (North York) instead of a more central rep type theatre?
Outside of the generous support of Canadian Stage and Roseneath Theatre through staged readings, the TCFPA were the only ones who offered me an opportunity at a full scale production. And they have an intimate, beautiful space.

10. Any plans on the horizon to remount in other locations, perhaps part of Fringe or Summerworks?
That is the hope! We will see what response we get after this run. But the hope is to attract some other companies or producers to help remount. Touring is always an option. The TCFPA has also expressed interest in a possible remount as well.

11. What is the Original Norwegian?
It is a line from our first play called "Half Empty", which is about trying to stage a modern day adaptation of Ibsen's play "An Enemy Of The People". It has sentimental value for me, if nothing else.

Guns and Roses: The Play - Closes January 15th
More Here - http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/285051

Miss'd America Is Back - Atlantic City

2010-01-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

Given that RuPaul’s back on the runway with RuPaul’s Drag Race, and now that the former Miss California’s sex tapes and breast augmentations (can we just say boob job?) are up for scrutiny--what better moment in American culture to re-introduce the dearly beloved Atlantic City drag queen pageant known as Miss’d America.

Created in 1993 as an Atlantic City fundraiser for the South Jersey AIDS Alliance, Miss’d America was a spoof of the legendary beauty queen pageant, which took place annually and became part of Atlantic City folklore. The spoof pageant initially took place for the hair, make-up, and costume pageant workers--that is to say, the entire LGBT community of Atlantic City.

These behind-the-scene worker bees had to miss the actual Miss America pageant the night before because they were working on the show. For the next thirteen years, Miss’d America was held on the deck of the now-shuttered Studio Six, the well-loved gay club where celebrities appeared after their concerts (Cher! Neil Sedaka! Connie Francis!).

The event raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars for local charities before the nationally broadcast Miss America pageant packed up their hair rollers and stiletto heels and headed out West, to Las Vegas, in 2005.

Now, after a five-year hiatus, Miss’d America rises again on the 31st of January 2010. This time, the event will be held in real glory. In an ironic touch, the pageant will take place at the 2,800-seat Adrian Phillips Ballroom at historic Boardwalk Hall--the longtime home of those long-legged beauty queens.

With competitions in evening wear and talent, as well as a swimsuit segment, it’s no wonder that drag queens all over town are currently starving on Tic-Tacs and lettuce leaves.

This year’s version of Miss’d America will have as its host television star Carson Kressley ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"). In keeping with tradition will be written and directed by Robert Hitchen (otherwise known as Miss Sandy Beach).

Village Voice gossip columnist Michael Musto is serving as one of several celebrity judges. Sponsored by Grey Goose, and presented by Trump Entertainment Resorts, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., the Atlantic City Convention Visitors Authority, and the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance, in association with the Schultz-Hill Foundation, this latest incarnation of Miss’d America ain’t just any dog-and-pony show.

With seven of Atlantic City’s casinos between them, Harrah’s Entertainment and Trump Entertainment have previously sponsored LGBT weekends such as OUT in A.C. in their ongoing effort to insure that the LGBT community is recognized and represented in Atlantic City-and both casinos are offering special package prices for the weekend, as well as hosting pre- and post-pageant parties at nightclubs such as DUSK at Caesars.

Underneath all the wigs and dresses and hilarity are some very worthy beneficiaries, which include the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance, the William Way Center of Philadelphia, Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS of New York City, the South Jersey AIDS Alliance-as well as the Schultz-Hill Foundation, which plans to establish a college scholarship for an Atlantic City-area LGBT student.

Don’t miss the triumphant return of Miss’d America to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Here she comes-again, Miss’d America!

Pat Robertson – Haiti Earthquake Work of the Devil?

2010-01-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Recently stated - "Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French ... and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.'

True story. And the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' "Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another."

Clarification by Spokesperson

On today’s The 700 Club, during a segment about the devastation, suffering and humanitarian effort that is needed in Haiti, Dr. Robertson also spoke about Haiti’s history. His comments were based on the widely-discussed 1791 slave rebellion led by Boukman Dutty at Bois Caiman, where the slaves allegedly made a famous pact with the devil in exchange for victory over the French. This history, combined with the horrible state of the country, has led countless scholars and religious figures over the centuries to believe the country is cursed. Dr. Robertson never stated that the earthquake was God’s wrath. If you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson’s compassion for the people of Haiti is clear. He called for prayer for them. His humanitarian arm has been working to help thousands of people in Haiti over the last year, and they are currently launching a major relief and recovery effort to help the victims of this disaster. They have sent a shipment of millions of dollars worth of medications that is now in Haiti, and their disaster team leaders are expected to arrive tomorrow and begin operations to ease the suffering.

Chris Roslan
Spokesman for CBN

On a more positive note, neighbouring Dominican Republic issued this statement:

The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive earthquake damage to the people of Haiti, its neighbouring country. The Dominican government is providing relief effort staging areas at some of the international airports located on the island.

The DR experienced no damage from the earthquake and all transportation systems, communication systems, tourism businesses and medical facilities are operating smoothly, making the country available to offer support to the relief effort in any way needed.

“The DR is making available its medical facilities for earthquake victims and is providing international relief organizations access to Haiti through the airports and seaports. Our transportation systems, communications systems, hotels, resorts, beaches and natural environment suffered no damage here. We are grateful and with deep concern open our hearts to our neighbours and will continue to do everything we can to help them,” said Mr. Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism.

Comics Kick Cancer to the Curb with The ‘C’ Word

2010-01-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

The ‘C’ word. Some people cringe when they hear it. Others cover their ears. And there are those who are absolutely horrified by the mere mention of it. Yes, we’re talking about cancer. But on January 19, 2010, a Toronto comic and her female cohorts want to make the ‘C’ word stand for something else: Courage. Creativity. And most of all: Comedy.

The ‘C’ Word, a benefit for Gilda's Club Greater Toronto, is a night of stand-up comedy featuring seasoned pros alongside up-and-coming comics from the StandUp For Your Sisters troupe. The title of the show was inspired by the experiences of comedian and organizer Daniela Saioni during her bout with cancer earlier this year.

“For my 40th birthday I got cancer,” Saioni says. “I’m a comic, so my natural instinct was to make jokes about it – but when I did, I got heckled. Even friends and family were uncomfortable discussing it.”

Last year’s inaugural event, StandUp For Your Sisters, was a sold-out success and raised more than $7,400 for Gilda’s Club. This year’s event has become more personal for Saioni, who credits Gilda’s Club for helping with her successful recovery.

“It was humbling having to turn to the charity I fundraise for to get help,” Saioni says, “I’m so happy to be able to give back to Gilda’s Club by doing what I love – making people laugh.”

With The ‘C’ Word’s diverse line-up of comics, there will be plenty of laughs, with topics ranging from sex to ethnicity, relationships to careers and much, much more. Since last year’s event, the Sisters have spent lots of time on local comedy stages and their acts are better than ever.

“People from last year’s audience still stop us in the street to quote their favorite jokes back to us,” Saioni says. “This year, we’ll give them even more to talk about. It’s a great night to come out and stand up for your sisters, mothers, daughters and friends. And laugh in the face of cancer.”

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When: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. (Dinner and silent auction at 6pm)
Where: Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Who: Hosted by Martha Chaves (Just for Laughs, Something About Martha)
Featuring Jo-Anna Downey (CTV’s Women of the Night, YukYuks), Special Guests Sandra Battaglini (Canadian ComedyAward winner) and Sandra Shamas (My Boyfriend's Back and There's Gonna Be Laundry) with StandUp For Your Sisters

Tickets: $25 in advance (available at www.hughsroom.com), $30 at the door

All proceeds from tickets sales and silent auction will go directly to Gilda’s Club.

For a list of comics, bios and photos, visit www.standupforyoursisters.com.

About Gilda's Club

The mission of Gilda’s Club is to provide a meeting place where men, women, teens and children living with cancer, as well as their families and friends, can join with others to build social and emotional support as a supplement to their treatment of choice. Gilda’s Club is a non-profit organization where there is no cost to members. For more information about Gilda’s Club, please visit their website at www.gildasclubtoronto.org

Live Green Toronto

2010-01-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

The City of Toronto has created a new web space called Live Green Toronto, that provides easily accessible information on all things environmentally friendly that both residents and businesses now have access to in one convenient place.

As Mayor Miller leaves office, this is an extremely fitting example of his overall political goals and agenda during his term in office. He was a huge proponent of creating a cleaner environ, and hopefully this will let him depart on a high note.

Here's his address -

Living green. Here in Toronto, it’s more than a trend; it’s becoming a way of life.

We hope this new, one-stop website filled with tips, success stories, learning opportunities, information updates – even rebates and grants – will inspire you to keep taking the small steps that lead to a healthier planet.

As you may have heard, Toronto has targeted an 80% reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It’s an ambitious target, and we're rising to the challenge. To reach our target we not only need to take big, bold steps as a local government, we also need every resident of Toronto to take action in their home and in their neighbourhood.

The Live Green Toronto program is designed to inspire and support every resident who wants to do something right now to make Toronto an even greener city.

I hope you find this exciting new site a terrific resource for action.

We all know how good we feel when we do our part. So thanks for living green for a greener Toronto.

Mayor David Miller
City of Toronto

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Live Green Toronto's new Membership Card will help you shop, save and live green!

Shop Green - When you shop at participating Live Green Toronto businesses, you support businesses that have committed to green their operations, products and services and support our local communities.

Save Green - Use your Live Green Toronto Membership Card for exclusive offers and/or instant discounts at participating Live Green Toronto businesses.

Live Green - Where you spend your money and what you spend it on is a big part of living green.

The Live Green Toronto membership card is one more way that Live Green Toronto supports and inspires residents and businesses who want to do something right now to make Toronto an even greener city.

Are you a green business owner?

Make a pledge to support Live Green Toronto and enrol your business in the Live Green Toronto membership card program today! Benefit from extensive promotion and attract new and loyal customers. There is no cost to participate.

Click here to register - https://www.livegreentorontocard.ca/signup/register.php

Putting The Knife to Darwin

2010-01-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Commissioned by Danish performance group Hotel Pro Forma to write the music for their opera based on Charles Darwin and his book ‘On the Origin of the Species’, The Knife decided to make this a collaborative process, working with artists Mt. Sims and Planningtorock for the first time, to capture the huge width of the Darwin and evolution theme. They extensively researched Darwin related literature and articles, with Olof attending a field recording workshop in the Amazon to find inspiration and to record sounds.

‘Tomorrow, In A Year’ is a unique musical project. Richard Dawkins’s gene trees have formed the basis of some of the musical composition, artificial sounds have been mixed with field recordings, with the music inspired by everything from the different stages of a bird learning its melody, to a song based on Darwin’s loving letters about his daughter Anne. These are compositions that challenge the conventional conception of opera music.

Pushing the experimental process further still, composer, choreographer, costume designer and set designer worked separately, only coming together 3 and a half months before the first performance of ‘Tomorrow, In A Year’ in Copenhagen on the 2nd September 2009. Described as “shifting the position of operartic art in a single leap”, further performances of ‘Tomorrow, In A Year’ are confirmed to take place in Athens (8-9 Jan), Stockholm (29 Jan-1 Feb), and Munster (5 June), with further dates to be announced.

Olof Dreijer says: “At first it was very difficult as we really didn’t know anything about opera. We’d never been to one. I didn’t even know what the word libretto meant. But after some studying, and just getting used to opera’s essence of pretentious and dramatic gestures, I found that there is a lot to learn and play with. In fact, our ignorance gave us a positive respectless approach to making opera. It took me about a year to become emotionally moved by an opera singer and now I really do. I really like the basic theatrical values of opera and the easy way it brings forward a narrative. We’ve approached this before in The Knife but never in such a clear way.”

The first track to be taken from the album, called Colouring of Pigeons, is free to download now for all mailing list subscribers

Tracklist:
CD 1
01. Intro
02. Epochs
03. Geology
04. Upheaved
05. Minerals
06. Ebb Tide Explorer
07. Variation of Birds
08. Letter to Henslow
09. Schoal Swarm Orchestra

CD 2
01. Annie’s Box
02. Tumult
03. Colouring of Pigeons
04. Seeds
05. Tomorrow in a Year
06. The Height of Summer

Bonus track
07. Annie's Box (alt. vocal)

Go here for the exclusive download -

http://www.theknife.net/tommorow-in-a-year-information.html

Transgender News or Tranny News?

2010-01-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

Transgendered individuals have been becoming more vocal and visible within the media of late, and now the US has appointed a trans woman as part of his congress.

US President Barack Obama has appointed a trans woman to the role of senior technical advisor to the Department of Commerce. Amanda Simpson is on the board of directors of the National Centre for Transgender Equality and has worked in the aerospace and defence industry for 30 years.

In a statement, she said: "I'm truly honoured to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me. "And at the same time, as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others."

Simpson holds degrees in physics, engineering and business administration along with an extensive flight background. She is a certified flight instructor and test pilot with 20 years of experience.

Way to go Amanda!

On the other side of the Atlantic, news was made when one individual took offense to a slang term used in a local newspaper headline.

The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) has ruled that a Belfast newspaper breached the press code of practice for calling a trans woman a "tranny". Keira McCormack complained she had been deeply insulted by the November 1st 2009 article in the Sunday Life which described her as "burly". She had worked as a rape counsellor in Belfast between 2005 and 2009 but the newspaper questioned whether the "5ft 10in transsexual" was suitable for the job.

The article, titled 'Tranny worked in rape centre', was found to be discriminatory and in breach of Clause 12 (Discrimination) of the Editors’ Code of Practice. The Sunday Life argued that no offence had been intended in the use of the word 'tranny' which it considered to be "widely used" in articles about trans people.

McCormack said that the term 'tranny' was generally used by transvestites or cross-dressers but was deeply insulting to transgender people. The PCC considered that the use of the word ‘tranny’ was a needless abbreviation which many found offensive. It ruled that the word was pejorative and the complaint was upheld on this point.

I believe this could be a case of who uses the term and in what context. Perhaps a transgendered person could get away with calling another a Tranny, similar to a gay man calling another the "F" word or a black person calling another the "N" word.

Casey Johnson Dead at 30

2010-01-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

The heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune has been found dead at her Los Angeles home. Casey Johnson, 30, had a history of drug abuse. Police said she appeared to have died from natural causes, although a cause of death has not been determined. According to gossip website TMZ, Johnson's body was believed to have lain in the house for several days before being discovered yesterday morning.

A number of celebrity friends used Twitter to express their sadness. Lindsay Lohan wrote: “r.i.p. To a friend to and of many – Casey Johnson – my regards to her family, friends and her beautiful daughter Ava you are in our hearts CJ”. However, Lohan's ex-girlfriend Samantha Ronson added: “Am so sick of those 3 letters [RIP], so tired of losing friends to something as senseless as a drug overdose. WAKE UP people.”

She was reportedly engaged to actress and model Tila Nguyen, better known as Tila Tequila, and she was arrested in November for allegedly stealing from the house of her former girlfriend Jasmine Lennard. Johnson leaves behind her daughter Ava, who she adopted from Kazakhstan in 2007. The child was at the centre of a custody battle between Johnson and her parents.

RIP

Guns and Roses - The Play

2010-01-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

SEX. DRUGS. GUNS. HOMEWORK - WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL.

Inspired by real Toronto teens and the city's headlines, Guns & Roses is a fast-paced, honest look into the lives of these teens and the often too-secret world they inhabit. Rather than sentimentalizing or sugar-coating the high school experience, Guns & Roses uses authentic dialogue and situations to portray the lives of five teenagers - this is not a finger waving after school special. You will not hear the words "Just say no" and it is not about "bad kids" pressuring "good kids", it's about taking a real look at their pressures and reality - drug use and abuse, sexuality, violence at school and at home, racism, and more. Focusing on teens from Toronto's Rosedale neighbourhood, and various walks of life.

The play focuses five teenagers at the end of their Grade 11 year, finishing exams and gearing up for the summer ahead. When the summer plans involve a rich kid wannabe drug dealer chasing overnight glory, an existential crisis, masturbating in a math exam, duking it out with your folks, your dad's gun, and a little pill called ecstasy - the summer high comes crashing down all in one night. In what starts off as a high promising them a world of possibility, hope and love, their bliss and delirium quickly give way to reveal the harsh consequences that lie beyond their insulated world.

Written by one of Toronto's exciting emerging artists, Julian DeZotti (NOW Magazine's Top Ten Artists To Watch) , Guns & Roses first entered his head when overhearing his 16 year old cousins talk about their daily lives. DeZotti says, "It wasn't that long ago I was in high school, but for a lot of what they were saying, I just couldn't relate back to my own high school experience. They all have cell phones, gaming consoles, iPods and access to drugs that provide an adult experience, not pot, but things like ecstasy - very emotion heightening and strong chemical drugs. This just sounded like such a foreign world to me." This year alone saw a U.N. report on drugs that listed Canada as the top producer of ecstasy on the North American drug market, and another year of gun violence in the city of Toronto. While being a show for theatre-goers of any ilk, the show will resonate with teens, but hopefully even more so with parents. "There are some very adult experiences being had by todays teens, and some experiences other generations just didn't have, like sexting for example." says DeZotti.

The show features some of Toronto's fastest rising stars: Brendan McMurtry-Howlett (Upcoming: The Overwhelming, CanStage/Studio 180), Hannah Cheesman (Upcoming: Hannah Moscovitch’s In This World at LKTYP) , Colin Doyle (2 Dora Nominations, NOW Magazine Artists to Watch 2008), Amy Lee (half of the celebrated clown duo Morro and Jasp) and Ben Sanders (Upcoming; Praxis Theatre’s Section 98 at Harbourfront Centre and Suburban Beast's Post-Eden). The video projections are being created by Cameron Davis (The Red Light District/ Mirvish Productions THE MISANTHROPE, CanStage/Citadel Theatre's Rock N' Roll, Bluemouth Inc.'s Dance Marathon) with designer Tommy Taylor (Keystone Theatre's The Belle of Winnipeg and current Theatre Gargantua intern).

The show incorporates a live DJ (Toronto's very own DJ FASE, rated the city's top club DJ by NOW Magazine) and video projections (through which the characters send text messages, etc.) creating a vibrant, kinetic production. Guns & Roses was developed with playwrights Djanet Sears and Tom Walmsley, and through staged readings with the Canadian Stage Company and Roseneath Theatre.

To ensure authenticity, the production not only has worked with teens, but also has the support and research of Breakaway Addiction Services, a progressive organization committed to aiding youth and families with variety of harm reduction and addiction services. One teenage male in their program, asking to be identified as "X", said that "E makes you feel like a $10.00 bi-polar disorder for a day."

_____________________________________________________________________

VERY LIMITED THREE DAY RUN

The Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts (Studio Theatre) is located at 5040 Yonge Street (on the west side of Yonge Street, north of Sheppard Avenue.
TTC - North York Centre subway station.

January 13, 14 and 15th at 8:00 p.m. - $20.00 GA or $15.00 students/seniors/CAEA
January 14 and 15, matinees at 10:30 a.m. - $12.00 GA

Each performance is approximately 60 minutes long (no intermission).
Tickets are available at the door and through ticketmaster.ca .

WARNING: Contains mature language, sexuality, violence, drug use

More Info - www.theoriginalnorwegian.com

Presented in association with:
The Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts - www.tocentre.com
and Breakaway Addiction Services - www.breakawayaddictions.ca

God Hates Lady Gaga

2010-01-04T13:15:00.000-08:00

Westboro Baptist Church has announced it will picket a January 7th gig by Lady Gaga. The singer has frequently spoken of her love for her gay fans and thanked them for their support.

The Kansas-based church, best known for its slogan and website of the same name, God Hates Fags, said in a press release it would protest outside the singers St Louis concert to protest her gay-friendly behaviour. Calling her a "sleazy God-hater", the church said: "'Art' and 'fashion' are the euphemisms, the guise under which proud whore Lady Gaga teaches rebellion against God."

Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of church leader Fred Phelps, told Radar Online: "We will be going to her concert with placards reading 'God Hates Lady Gaga' – to inform people that they will be going to hell too if they listen to her messages. “According to the Bible homosexuality is an abomination and she has to shut her filthy mouth and stop promoting it.”

Westboro Baptist Church is well known for picketing the funerals of US soldiers with slogans such as 'God hates fags'. It believes that the deaths of US soldiers in the middle east are God's punishment for a country which allows homosexuality. If you can figure this one out, please let me know.

I was trying to log onto their website to gather further updates, but was not allowed for some reason. Perhaps someone has finally got their web provider to remove this hateful diatribe, or God knows my IP address.

US Lifts HIV Travel Ban after 22 Years

2010-01-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

The ban on HIV-positive people entering the US officially ends today, and it makes me wonder how one of the most powerful nations in the world would not have addressed this absurd regulation before now. Fear mongers run for your lifes and make sure not to touch those public toilet seats you were warned about back in the 1980's.

The 22-year-old law was one of the most restrictive immigration policies in the world for people with HIV but was lifted by President Barack Obama in November. He described it as a "decision rooted in fear rather than fact".

According to On Top magazine, the first HIV-positive person to enter the country since the lifting of the ban will be Clemens Ruland, 45, a youth worker from the Netherlands. He and his partner Hugo Bausch, 50, will be welcomed by gay group Immigration Equality when they arrive in New York today.

The lifting of the ban was praised by UK-based HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust. Lisa Power, head of policy at the organisation, said: "It's ridiculous that for over 20 years people living with HIV have been banned from entering the US simply because of a medical condition.

"Removing the ban is long overdue and we congratulate the US government on seeing economic and medical sense. Terrence Higgins Trust and many others have campaigned against the ban since it was introduced. "Blanket entry bans have no justification on public health grounds and only increase stigma. We hope other countries with similar bans in place will now remove them too."

The ban had also barred long-term foreign residents from obtaining resident status, purely on the basis of having HIV. Only a handful of other countries, such as Yemen and Qatar, have similar policies on barring entry to HIV-positive individuals.

HIV experts criticised the ban in the past for encouraging people not to get tested out of fear. Obama said that lifting the ban is a "step that will encourage people to get tested and get treatment. It's a step that will keep families together, and it's a step that will save lives".

No Sweat - At What Expense?

2010-01-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

As a new year begins, many look at ways to improve their health, from better eating habits to more exercise. I decided to look into a common item I use daily to see what effect this might have on my body.

For many individuals around the world, the routine of putting on deodorant or anti-perspirant after bathing is as common as getting dressed. Many people are now keen to reading ingredients on food packaging to see what they are ingesting, but how many read the ingredients on items they coat their body in. I first considered reading my antiperspirant bottle after being bombarded with hand sanitizer everywhere with the supposed end of the world and H1N1. I don't use this sanitizer as I don't like the thought of chemicals being abosored into my body. So naturally this made me wonder about other body parts.

A quick search came up with several informative websites, including www.dyingtolookgood.com which provided the information that I was looking for, and made me change my habits immediately. I now share these with you, and offer an alternative to potentially damaging and deadly chemicals.

Here are 7 ingredients to avoid when choosing your deodorant:

Aluminium chlorohydrate, aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly or any aluminium compounds. Aluminium is absorbed through the skin and accumulates in the body. It has been suggested that there is an association between aluminium and Alzheimer's disease.

Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl), are all derived from toluene, a toxic petrochemical derivative. Toluene is toxic if swallowed or inhaled. It is also harmful in contact with the skin. There is some evidence that repeated exposure to toluene may cause reproductive harm. Since 2000, 13 research studies have shown that various types of parabens act like estrogen in animals and in tissue culture. Estrogen is known to drive the growth of cancerous cells.

Triclosan is a skin irritant and may cause contact dermatitis. It may kill healthy bacteria as well as harmful bacteria. It may contain carcinogenic contaminants. It is stored in body fat and is classified as a pesticide by the FDA.

Talc is classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer if it contains asbestiform fibres. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in cosmetic grade talc is unregulated. If talc is listed on the label, there is no way of knowing whether or not it contains asbestiform fibres.

Propylene glycol absorbs quickly through the skin and is a penetration enhancer. It may cause delayed allergic reactions. NIOSH says propylene glycol is a neurotoxin and may cause kidney or liver damage. The EPA says it’s not fully investigated for carcinogenic potential.

Silica is a skin irritant. It may be contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is a carcinogen.

Steareth-n (n may be any number like say 100), may be vegetable derived but is reacted with ethylene oxide (ethoxylated), a known human carcinogen.

Instead choose deodorants with ingredients like vegetable glycerin, natural preservatives like bioflavanoids and lichen, herbs or herbal extracts, de-ionized water or distilled water, green tea, aloe vera, baking soda and essential oils.

Go natural with this easy to make deodorant alternative -

You can use baking soda and cornstarch in a 50/50 mixture.
Basic Deodorant Powder
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
A few drops essential oils such as lavender or cinnamon
Place the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Sprinkle a light covering of the powder on a damp wash cloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse.

Basic Liquid Deodorant
1/4 cup each witch hazel extract, aloe vera gel, and mineral water
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
A few drops antibacterial essential oils such as lavender (optional)
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.

I also found these counter facts on www.cancer.org and www.cancer.gov that will help ensure you have the necessary information to make an informed decision on what you believe to be ture.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_6_1x_Antiperspirants.asp
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/AP-Deo

US Health Care 2010

2010-01-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

As the US continues to debate whether all citizens are entitled to free health care, here's two words of inspiration from north of the border - Tommy Douglas - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Douglas

Read on....

The final version of the Senate bill, with all its concessions and deals, came together the way it did because of strategy from a few key states -- key states only because their Senators levied the power of their must-have votes to tweak the legislation to their own specifications. There is no reason to believe that the same won't hold true as the House and Senate bills are merged.

Individual states are already sending signals to Congress about their opposition to the Senate bill.

New York Governor David Paterson (D) and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) have voiced concerns that the health care reform bill passed by the Senate threatens to overload their states with added costs of Medicaid.

According to Politico.com, Gov. Paterson said "I am deeply troubled that the Senate version of the bill worsens what was already an inequitable situation for New York and I will continue to be an advocate on behalf of New Yorkers to ensure we are treated fairly by this critical federal legislation," and Gov. Schwarzenneger wrote in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, "When asked for my support, I was assured that federal legislation would not increase costs to California or include new unfunded mandates. Unfortunately, under nearly every scenario we can predict, the federal health care reform legislation being debated would cost California’s General Fund an additional $3 billion to $4 billion annually."

The New York Times reports that Florida, along with about a dozen other states, is debating a proposed amendment to its state constitution that would attempt to block much of the federal government’s health care bill on the grounds that it tramples individual liberty. It should be noted that a study by the National Institute on Money in State Politics, a nonpartisan group based in Helena, Montana, shows that almost all of the 42 co-sponsors of the bill received large campaign contributions from health care interests, most heavily in the states with the proposed amendments.

Lobbyists for health care interests have taken it to the states. Last year pharmaceutical companies spent more than $20 million in political contributions in the states. $85 million more was spent on advertising to defeat a California ballot measure to lower drug prices.

As Congress works to merge the House and Senate bills, various opt-in and opt-out provisions for the regional health insurance exchanges will undoubtedly be a factor in negotiations.

In Nebraska, Senator Ben Nelson (D) was bombarded by pleas from Democrats and groups like the AFL-CIO to support health care reform and from opponents like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American's Health Insurance Plans, who used webcasts and petitions to sway him to vote against reform. Television in Nebraska has been filled with arguments pro and con and hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent.

Even if a bill passes, many of the changes will not take place for several years, leaving a wide berth for state battleground strategy before the legislation can be implemented. 50 states, 50 battlegrounds. Brace yourselves. 2010 is going to be bumpy.

Prop 8 - Dueling Siblings

2010-01-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

Not all families get along, and this just proves the differences that can exist within family structures. Everyone has their own opinion, let's just hope the sister will become more vocal and dominant than the brother in this case.

Read on....

The Bay Area Reporter published some interesting information about Frank Schubert, who ran both California's "Yes on 8" campaign and Maine's "Yes on 1" campaign, which succeeded in yanking marriage rights from millions of gays and lesbians.

Schubert Schubert's sister is a lesbian, and she's running for a judgeship in Sacramento County:

"Anne Marie Schubert, 45, doesn't mention her family or sexual orientation on her campaign Web site. But Sacramento County tax records show that Anne Marie Schubert purchased her home with Julie Greenberg in March 2005, where the women live together raising two children. Frank Schubert told the Bay Area Reporter the two women are in a registered domestic partnership."

Anne Marie won't discuss her brother's evil deeds however:

"Because I am running for a judicial seat, I am bound by the California Code of Judicial Ethics. This code applies to both sitting judges and attorneys running for judicial office. This code makes it clear that 'Candidates may not make statements that commit the candidate with respect to cases, controversies, or issues that could come before the courts.' This code also states, 'Judges involved in judicial campaigns must also avoid comment concerning a matter pending or impending in any court.' In all honesty, I do not believe it would be appropriate for me to give you my personal opinion on Prop 8."

Amazing how folks like NY Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., who has two gay brothers, and Frank Schubert can work so relentlessly to remove rights from those to whom they are closest.

----

The full article

The lesbian sister of Proposition 8 mastermind Frank Schubert has announced her candidacy for Sacramento County Superior Court judge.

At her campaign Web site, Anne Marie Schubert, a deputy district attorney for Sacramento County, promotes herself as a law and order and victim's rights candidate with several endorsements from local law enforcement organizations.

According to voter records, Anne Marie Schubert is a registered Republican. She has hired Gilliard Blanning, a conservative political consulting firm known for championing some of the state's best known Republican candidates and causes, to run her campaign.

Anne Marie Schubert, 45, doesn't mention her family or sexual orientation on her campaign Web site. But Sacramento County tax records show that Anne Marie Schubert purchased her home with Julie Greenberg in March 2005, where the women live together raising two children. Frank Schubert told the Bay Area Reporter the two women are in a registered domestic partnership.

"She and Julie are in a domestic partnership, and they have two wonderful children," Frank Schubert said.

Asked if he considered the children and Greenberg to be a part of his family, Frank Schubert replied, "Of course I consider them and their children to be part of my family, and I love them very much."

In a New York Times interview in November 2008, Frank Schubert acknowledged to reporter Jesse McKinley that he has a gay sister, confirming with the B.A.R. this week that he was referring to Anne Marie Schubert during the interview.

"I don't recall proactively bringing up the fact that I have a gay sister with Jesse McKinley," stated Schubert in an e-mail to the B.A.R. "I believe he asked me about it. Regardless, it is Anne Marie to whom I was referring."

Anne Marie Schubert declined to discuss same-sex marriage or Proposition 8, citing judicial code.

"Because I am running for a judicial seat, I am bound by the California Code of Judicial Ethics. This code applies to both sitting judges and attorneys running for judicial office," Anne Marie Schubert said in an e-mail. "This code makes it clear that 'Candidates may not make statements that commit the candidate with respect to cases, controversies, or issues that could come before the courts.' This code also states, 'Judges involved in judicial campaigns must also avoid comment concerning a matter pending or impending in any court.'"

Asked specifically about her position on the marriage equality issue, Anne Marie Schubert replied, "In all honesty, I do not believe it would be appropriate for me to give you my personal opinion on Prop 8."

"What I can tell you about myself is simple: I have the knowledge, skill and ability to be a well qualified judge," she said. "I have the endorsements of a significant number of law enforcement groups and victims' rights group in Sacramento County. I spent the last 20 years of my career protecting the rights of victims and prosecuting the most serious offenders in Sacramento County."

Anne Marie Schubert said someone's sexual orientation is irrelevant to being a judge.

"It is irrelevant what race, creed, sexual orientation, or gender someone possesses. What matters is that all participants in the judicial system be treated with fairness and respect," she said.

Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, the statewide LGBT rights organization, said he hopes Anne Marie Schubert will meet with the group.

"The LGBT community is extremely underrepresented in the judiciary and many qualified openly LGBT applicants have not been appointed to the bench by the present or previous governors," Kors said in an e-mail. "It is critical that qualified LGBT candidates both apply to be appointed but also run for office when opportunities arise, especially in parts of the state that are more conservative and that don't have as many openly LGBT officials. We look forward to interviewing Ms. Schubert and hope that she, unlike her brother, believes that it is a violation of the constitution to deny any minority the same rights the majority has.

"It would be terrific to have a member of the Schubert family on the bench who understands the public danger and harm that Frank Schubert has helped inflict on so many," Kors added.

For his part, Frank Schubert said that he tries to keep his family separate from his political activities.

"I have tried not to bring discussion of Anne Marie into my political activities," explained Frank Schubert. "Our relationship is entirely personal and should have no role in any political campaign. I did not want her to be a focus of comment from either side of the marriage debate."

Frank Schubert ran both the Yes on 8 campaign in California in 2008 and the Yes on 1 campaign in Maine this year, which repealed that state's marriage equality law.

"My activities in politics are mine alone – she doesn't have anything to do with them," Frank Schubert said. "I tried to focus the Prop 8 and [Maine's] Question 1 campaigns on the various issues associated with redefining marriage, not on the personalities of the people involved on either side. Anne Marie and I disagree on the marriage issue. I am certain that she opposed Prop 8. Neither of us has allowed that single issue to define our relationship as brother and sister."

Frank Schubert also said he supports his sister's judicial campaign.

"I believe she will be an outstanding judge for the people of Sacramento County," wrote Mr. Schubert. "She is a fair and diligent prosecutor who has distinguished herself for a considerable period of time. ... I am not playing any role in her campaign beyond contributing to the effort."

New Hampshire Gets More Progressive

2010-01-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

Religious die-hards and family value supporters will undoubtedly be up in arms and declare marriage is losing credibility, but others will see that heterosexual golfers and several US politicians are the best examples of what marriage is.
Read on...

Jubilant gay couples have rung in the New Year in New Hampshire with wedding vows to celebrate the state's new law legalizing same-sex marriage.

At midnight, New Hampshire joined Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Iowa in allowing gay marriage. About 15 couples braved the cold to exchange vows outside the New Hampshire Statehouse in Concord. Others planned private ceremonies around the state.

The law grants no new rights to gays but eliminates the separate status for civil unions.

Couples already in civil unions have three options to convert their statuses to marriages. They can have marriage ceremonies, file marriage paperwork with their town clerks to convert their statuses during 2010 or wait until the unions are automatically converted in 2011.

----------

New Hampshire's gay and lesbian couples are expected to gather throughout the night to ring in the start of the new year with champagne and wedding bells as New Hampshire's gay marriage law takes effect at midnight.

The law, which was signed by Governor John Lynch in June, 2009, won't grant gay and lesbian couples any more rights than they currently have under the state's civil union law, but it will give them equal access to the term "marriage".

Symbolically this is important, but more than that, when the federal Defense of Marriage Act is repealed, having access to terms like "marriage" and "spouse" will be helpful from a legal standpoint and could mean that New Hampshire's married gay and lesbian couples might finally have access to the 1150+ benefits that are given to heterosexual unions but are currently denied gay and lesbian partners.

The New Hampshire gay marriage bill was amended during the legislative process so that it expressly states a religious institution's right to decline to marry gay and lesbian couples. Religious organizations can also deny couples affiliated services such as wedding photography and the like.

A handful of gay and lesbian couples have said that they will gather just after midnight at the Statehouse in Concord to have their civil marriage ceremony performed, echoing the events of two years ago when many couples journeyed to the Statehouse to have their civil union ceremony at this time in 2008. Claire Ebel, executive director of the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union, will officiate.

The Los Angeles Times has an insightful piece today in which they interview several of New Hampshire's gay and lesbian residents regarding the new marriage law. Some will marry just after midnight at one of the many events being held to celebrate the law's coming into effect, while others, who have had various partnership celebrations in the past, such as commitment ceremonies and civil unions, plan to wait until later in the year, preferring to take a little more time to plan their wedding.

The Los Angeles Times notes that New Hampshire's gay and lesbian couples that were previously joined in civil unions do not actually need to go through a wedding ceremony in order to be married. This is because New Hampshire's civil unions will be converted into civil marriages by 2011. After December 31, 2010, the state will no longer issue civil union licenses.

Overall, 2009 has been a mixed year for gay marriage. California's Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 which meant gay marriages would no longer be recognized after they were briefly legalized in 2008 following a court ruling that struck down a previous constitutional ban. A court case will begin in January in which lawyers will argue that Proposition 8 is itself unconstitutional.

Also in 2009, Maine lawmakers approved gay marriage, but then voters decided to block the law at the ballot despite a very strong campaign from gay rights advocates.

After a long wait, the New York Senate voted to block gay marriage legislation, while a vote on gay marriage in New Jersey is still pending.

Yet, at the same time, District of Columbia's Council voted to recognize gay marriages from out of state, and in December also chose to allow gay marriages. However, the bill must first clear Congress before it becomes law. Congress are likely to take up the issue early in 2010.

Vermont legislators also legalized gay marriage in 2009, while Iowa's Supreme Court overturned a ban on gay marriage, finding it unconstitutional. Many conservative Iowans have called for a referendum on gay marriage in 2010, mindful that gay marriage has never won at the ballot. Iowan Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has said that he will not allow any bill that would block gay marriage to come to the floor, however.

As ever, gay marriage remains a hot-topic issue for many, and will no doubt be just as controversial in 2010 as it was in 2009.

All that said, New Hampshire is starting 2010 with a new level of recognition for its lesbian and gay couples, and although this gift is not quite complete while the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) remains in place, and it will most likely still be in place until 2011 at least, it is a positive way to begin 2010 and to celebrate a new year in which even more steps toward full equality can be made.

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In a candlelit church brimming with family and friends, Jennifer Morton and Michelle Morrison heard an announcement they’ve waited 13 years for: they were, at long last, married.

At the stroke of midnight, the couple joined in a rousing chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” at their church, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, and then rang in the New Year by observing the moments-old law allowing gay couples to marry in New Hampshire.

“It’s very exciting,” Morton said. “I’m really glad it happened in our lifetimes. I didn’t know if it would.”

Morton and Morrison, both 38, celebrated their marriage with their two children, 150 friends, family and much of the congregation. The event was open to everyone in the church, making it part New Year’s party, part wedding, part landmark moment.

“Personally, I feel honored to be able to be a part of what I think is a historical event for same-sex couples in New Hampshire,” said the Rev. Steve Edington. “It’s also a congregational event, a family event. … We have issues that not everyone agrees on, but we’re solid on this one.”

“The minute they came to our door, their family was considered as valid and real as any married couple that was here,” said Laurie Goodman, president of the congregation. “It’s nice to come together tonight and say those vows they’ve carried in their hearts so long.”

Following music, readings, vows and the big announcement by Edington – “I now pronounce that Jenn and Michelle are legally married” – the congregation let out a big cheer.

“They just have huge hearts, they really do,” said Valerie Bridge, a friend and neighbor, who was also photographing the event. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Morrison and Morton, both 38, met in 1995 while working at a childcare center in Tennessee. The two women, who realized their sexual orientation later in life, became friends, discovering their love and respect for children as common ground.

The two “laughed all day long,” Morton said, adding, “For me, Michelle was a genuine person who always put others first. It was a nice quality to have in a friend.”

“I liked her compassion, her caring personality,” Morrison said.

The pair moved to New Hampshire and by 1997, were officially a couple. They enjoyed doing everything together.

“It was an easy connection,” Morton said.

Morton’s parents were initially “shocked and concerned,” she said. “They wondered, ‘Would I be able to be happy? Could I live publicly?’ They didn’t know any gay people.”

Morton’s father, Doug Morton, said he “wasn’t as open as I should have been at first,” but he came around when he “realized the sincerity in the relationship, that they meant to each other as much as my wife and I mean to each other.”

“I couldn’t be prouder,” he added.

Morrison’s folks, however, have kept a distant relationship. They live in the Bible Belt and are strictly religious.

“They have not come to terms with it,” she said.

After the move to New Hampshire, Morrison took a corporate management job to support a future family and Morton became a nanny. She had the couple’s daughter, Grace, in March 2001 and a son, Ben, in October 2003.

Around that time, the couple was often asked why they didn’t get a civil union in Massachusetts or Vermont. It was because the union wouldn’t be recognized in New Hampshire – that is until 2008, when it became legal here.

For the couple, having a civil union was a “no brainer,” Morrison said. One reason was because they learned it should make co-parent adoption easier. Morrison had been the legal guardian of her two children but did not have the same parental rights as Morton.

The couple’s civil union took place on a warm September afternoon in 2008 among family and friends in the backyard of their house near the birch trees. Afterward, the couple filed the proper paperwork for a co-parent adoption, which went through easily.

When the discussion of gay marriage was taken up earlier this year in the state legislature, Morton said she was “cautiously optimistic. I was not convinced it would pass.”

She had reason to wonder, as the measure was on shaky ground for most of the spring.

In March, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed an initial version of a gay marriage bill. The state Senate followed suit in April, with a modified bill that affirmed religious and civil marriages, but also allowed all couples – including gays and lesbians – to pick which marriage they wished to have.

In May, following a House vote to accept the Senate-approved compromise, nearly all Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee staged a one-day walkout in protest of the quickly reached compromise.

Then, legislation stalled in the House after a majority of lawmakers rejected changes suggested by Gov. John Lynch, which would offer religious groups and employees legal protections.

The House and Senate eventually agreed to compromises, and Lynch signed a gay marriage bill into law June 3. While it does not afford gay couples additional rights, the move made New Hampshire the sixth state to allow gay marriage. After Maine voters repealed a gay marriage law there, New Hampshire is now one of five states to recognize it.

Morton recalled getting a call about the news.

“I started jumping up and down in the front yard,” she said.

“The kids were happy because we were happy,” Morrison said. “We always keep them informed, in a kid sort of way.”

In the past few weeks, Morrison and Morton filed paperwork to convert their civil union to a marriage.

A plot to hold a dual-purpose New Year’s party crystallized: The couple decided to invite their friends, family and church for a wedding at the stroke of midnight, the second the law took effect and the “first possible moment we could get married legally,” Morrison said.

“For all of us, it’s pretty significant,” agreed Mary Morton, Jennifer’s mother. “You just want them to have a normal life, not be afraid of things, or worried too much. … I think it’s the final bridge they have to cross to feel like a family.”

Morton’s brother, Adam Morton, and his wife, Amy, were married several months after the civil union.

“It was the same, but not the same,” Amy Morton said. “I’m so glad they’re able to do this.”

“It’s a fulfillment of a dream they’ve had since they’ve been together,” Doug Morton said. “It’s wonderful to see. I’m hoping as more people become aware that this is a normal part of life, acceptance will continue to grow and there will be one less prejudice in the world.”

Same Sex Marriage Legalized in Mexico City

2009-12-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

Mexico City has become the first capital city to legalise gay marriage in South America.

Same sex couples have been allowed to enter civil partnerships since 2006 but the new legislation will give gay couples equal rights when it comes to family social security benefits and loans.

The new bill will also give same sex couples the right to adopt.

David Razu, a legislator from the left-wing Social Democratic Party, told Reuters:

"We are putting an end to segregation and stigmatisation of a sector of society, giving access to full marriage rights."

Mexico has traditionally been a conservative Catholic country but Mexico City has developed a popular and vibrant gay scene in recent years.

Argentina became the first Latin American country to allow civil unions across the country for same-sex couples in 2002.

Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay have all offered same sex couples the opportunity of civil partnerships but this is the first time that full marriage has been legislated in Latin America.

Earlier this month a gay Buenos Aires couple who hoped to become the first to fully marry in Argentina said that the city mayor should be fined for not authorising their wedding.

Jose Maria Di Bello and partner Alex Freyre planned to marry on World AIDS Day after Judge Gabriela Seijas ruled last month that the ban on gay marriage violated Argentina's constitution.

Mexico’s Catholic archdiocese has stated that legalising gay marriage is immoral and will destroy families.

"Recognising homosexual civil unions as marriage goes against the public good and the emotional development of our children," said Giovanni Gutierrez, a city lawmaker from President Felipe Calderón’s National Action Party.

The decision to allow full marriage for gay couples prompted jubilation in the streets from Mexico City's LGBT community and gay rights groups.

It's Legal but Not at Christmas Time

2009-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

Openly gay Novia Scotia MP Scott Brison has been given the support of Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff after a Christmas card featuring his partner stirred controversy.

The Canadian MP, who married his partner in 2007, told the Canadian press:

"I've had so many positive e-mails, calls over the last few days from across Canada and around the world,"

"Everybody is saying the same thing: It's just a Christmas card. It should not create controversy.'"

The card shows Brison with his partner Maxime St. Pierre standing in an orange-coloured autumn field next to the ocean near their Nova Scotia home with their golden retriever, Simba.

Although personalised family Christmas cards are commonplace for politicians, a number of angry commentators attacked the card.

The Globe and Mail newspaper website had to shut its comment section due to "hateful" messages, while other websites opted to disable comment features.

Brison, 42, stepped aside in 2000 to allow then-Tory leader Joe Clark to run in a by-election. He came out publicly in 2002.

Brison sought the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party in 2003, then crossed the floor to the Liberals just days after the Progressive Conservatives merged with the Canadian Alliance. He ran for the Liberal leadership in 2006.

He became the first openly gay federal cabinet minister in 2004, the same year a Nova Scotia judge ruled that not allowing gays in that province to marry was unconstitutional.

He has been quoted as saying he is "not a gay politician, but a politician who happens to be gay."

Gay marriage was legally recognised in Canada two years ago, with the passing of a bill in June 2005.

Bar or Clinic?

2009-12-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

Other than stating this is a gay bar in the first sentence, there is no mention of anything bar related, such as booze or entertainment. If this is more an information centre, drop in clinic, or social community centre then the appropriate terminology should be used. Either way it's a step in the right direct for this communist regime.

Read on....

China's first official gay bar has opened after a three-week delay sparked by intense media attention.

Opening on Saturday evening, the bar is situated in the tourist town of Dali in the southwestern province of Yunnan. It is the first venue of its kind to receive government backing.

The project, which was due to be opened on World AIDS day on December 1st, aims to provide help and support for the LGBT community as well as provide information on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Last year China's Ministry of Health implemented its first ever national programme to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS among gay men.

The programme marked a subtle new phase in the one-party-state's attitudes towards homosexuality since sodomy was decriminalised in 1997: No approval, no disapproval and no promotion.

The bar, which was founded by Dali HIV/AIDS charity worker Zhang Jianbo, was given 120,000 yuan (£10,000) of financial support from the government.

China's health ministry warned earlier this month that homosexual transmission of HIV/AIDS was gaining pace.

Gay sex accounted for just 0.4 percent of new infections in 2005, but that figure had risen to 3.3 per cent by 2007.

Of the estimated 700,000 Chinese people living with HIV or AIDS, 11 per cent contracted the virus through gay sex, according to Ministry of Health figures.

Zhang, a doctor at a hospital in Dali, said in an earlier interview that raising awareness of the disease among the gay community was "extremely important".

The official China Daily newspaper said in 2005 that the number of gays in China came to around 30 million, although it conceded few were willing to acknowledge their sexuality.

While homosexuality is still officially classified as a "mouldering life style of capitalism" in the officially communist state, there are no laws against gay sex or lifestyles. Neither are there any laws protecting Chinese gays from discrimination.

In other related news...

The fight against HIV in Asia could be greatly assisted if countries moved to legalise homosexuality, according to a leading Chinese AIDS activist.

Zhen Li of the Tong Zhi awareness group was speaking at a three-day forum hosted by Hong Kong's Department of Health, the World Health Organisation, the UNDP and the Joint UN Programmes on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

"Between 2005 and 2008 China made huge progress in addition to working with civil society as partners," Li said.

In 2001 homosexual acts were decriminalised, allowing HIV prevention workers to work more openly with men who have sex with men.

Asia's second most populous country, India, is considering decriminalisation.

"As long as these laws are in effect it will push people into dark places," Li said.

In China, the risk of infection by men who have sex with men is 45 times higher than for men in general.

Asia is believed to have the world's largest number of men having sex with men, estimated at 10 million.

A recent UNAIDS report showed that targeted prevention interventions are reaching only 1% of the MSM population.
The report also showed that in most countries in Asia and the Pacific, national strategic plans for HIV/AIDS do not cover interventions for MSM and transgender individuals.

Uganda Uprising - BBC Debates

2009-12-19T10:31:00.000-08:00

As the anti-homosexual laws are moving closer to reality, the BBC decided to ask their audience to give their opinion on whether gays should be executed for their sexuality. This brought about many complaints, which the BBC defended their right to discuss such a topic openly, but then later retracted and apologized.

Read on below for the latest from Uganda, and the BBC....

In an interview with a U.S. religious publication, the Church of Uganda’s assistant bishop of Kampala defended his country’s proposed law that would inflict the death penalty on Ugandan gays who repeatedly share intimate contact with consensual adult partners and provide steep penalties for others, including heterosexuals who fail to report gay individuals or gay relationships to the authorities.

Media reports indicate that the government drew up the law after visits from anti-gay American religious conservatives. The argument from religious conservatives is that gays and lesbians can "convert" to heterosexuality--a claim that reputable mental health professionals view with skepticism, warning that so-called "conversion" or "reparative therapy" has the potential to harm, rather than help, those to whom it is subjected.

Though some American clergy have joined political and religious leaders from around the globe in condemning the measure as far too harsh, prominent evangelical pastor Rick Warren drew headlines when he refused to denounce the proposed law.

The Ugandan government is slated to make a final decision on the proposed legislation next month. Meantime, protests have taken place in America, Britain, and elsewhere, and political leaders have warned that Uganda may be endangering relations with other nations, including countries that provide financial assistance to the African nation.

In an interview with the magazine Christianity Today posted Dec. 17, the Rt. Rev. Dr. David Zac Niringiye suggested that foreigners had little place in Uganda’s internal legislative debate, saying, "Ambassadors or religious leaders serve us best by not going public, by simply relating to their individual relationships. If they have none, they have no legitimacy to speak. They should just be silent."

However, when asked about media reports that indicate that it was the influence of American religious conservatives that spurred the Ugandan government to draw up such draconian legislation, Niringiye said, "On the one hand, I have no respect for such innuendos because they are suggesting that Christians in Uganda are puppets and so forth. Are there American influences in Uganda? Yes. There is no question that there is a strong homosexual lobby supported by Western groups. That is one of the reasons for the bill.

"We [also] have influences from the Muslim world," Niringiye said. "Let’s not give too much credit to the West. This is a global environment. The influences are on either side."

But Niringiye played down the influences from abroad with respect to the bill, saying, "There is a genuine Ugandan call of distaste that seeks to say, ’Our culture is under assault.’ There are Ugandans who say we need to stand against a moral tide that seeks to change our ethical, moral values. The decay in Western culture is reflected in its sexual ethics.

"For me, I would like to act here in our culture. We must deal with corruption in our culture as you do in Western culture. They are not the same magnitude, but they still reflect the decay in culture. For us in Uganda, we have to ask, ’How do we act in a way that protects our culture from the decay in sexual ethics that has happened in the West?’ That is the challenge for Christian mission in our context. We have a serious responsibility to nurture younger generations. We have a lot of work in our churches to fight the media wars. Media is one huge influence in the cultural decay."

The bill’s criminalization of homosexuality and its stipulation of death as a punishment for some gay "offenders" were consistent with other laws in Uganda, Niringiye said. "The law on rape in this country (and I am not stating a position, I’m stating a fact) has a maximum sentence of death, particularly if it is rape of a minor. Therefore, there is the idea that the law that is proposed needs to be [consistent] with other laws on the books."

Added Niringiye, "The background of the law is that there is increasing reporting of homosexual practice. There is definitely a sense that the international homosexual lobby is pushing for homosexual practice to be accepted as normal. Therefore, [they] use the idea of human rights for the protection of minorities. They say that these minorities have a right to this moral choice. It’s important to realize that within the culture, homosexuality is not acceptable."

Niringiye pointed out that adultery is also illegal in Uganda, making the criminalization of sex between unmarried individuals of the same gender consistent with the law--although the law also denies gay and lesbian couples the right to formalize their relationship through marriage. However, Niringiye said that his own opinion was that no crime justified the death penalty. "The Church in Uganda has never given an official position on the death penalty," he noted. "My considered reading of Scripture and my considered understanding of today’s culture is that the application of the Scripture, the application of the spirit of the Scripture in today’s time would seem to disallow death as a legitimate penalty for any offense."

Niringiye has previously spoken out against the death penalty, addressing a congregation on Christmas, 2007, with an anecdote about how convicted killer and death row inmate John Katuramu--who had been a prime minister of a Ugandan province before being found guilty in the murder of Charles Kijjanangoma, a prince--had been transformed through religious faith while in prison. "Katuramu now has joy, peace, love and faith because he has been redeemed by Jesus Christ," Niringiye told the Christmas mass worshipers. "He told me that he may physically be living in Luzira [prison] but at heart, he is a free man."

Telling the congregation that there were "over 500 convicts on death row," Niringiye said, "Such people should be given a chance to live a new life."

In his interview with Christianity Today, Niringiye addressed the fact that the Bible appears to advocate death for various infractions. "We will not deny that the Scriptures seem to allow the death penalty," Niringiye said. "In the culture in which the Scriptures were written it seems that there was an allowance. I would say that in applying the same Scripture today, it seems that the culture is so different from then that we would say [we need] the application of the principle of grace. My view is that the death penalty is not a legitimate sentence for any offense, including murder and so on. But there is no Christian consensus on the legitimacy of the death penalty."

When asked about how Christians in Uganda viewed the bill, Niringiye indicated that the issues went beyond religious affiliation. "This is not just a Christian response" he said. "I can certainly say the objectives of the bill have the total support of most of Uganda, not just Christians, but also Muslims and Roman Catholics. It would not be right to talk about how Christians feel," Niringiye added. "They’re all agreed on the objectives. There will be a difference of opinion on the details of the bill."

Niringiye went on to say, "The point I’m making is that Christians in the country, including other people in the culture, really support the objectives of the bill. When it comes to the issue of the death penalty, there is as much debate over the death penalty as there are different Christian persuasions. The discussion on the death penalty [in this bill] needs to be separated from [the question] ’Is the death penalty [ever] an acceptable sentence?’ I am sure there are American Christians or others in the world who will say the death penalty is an acceptable sentence. There will be Christians in Uganda who will say the death penalty is an acceptable sentence. There will be Christians in Uganda who will say no, the death penalty is not an acceptable sentence for any offense."

The bishop went on to suggest that Americans had little basis for objecting to the law, saying that "Western society and culture has lost some of its moral foundations.

"In Western society, homosexuality is accepted as one of the ways of expressing human sexuality. It is very important that you understand the context," Niringiye went on to note. "I would debate Western societies which are putting judgments on our laws to first and foremost critique your own cultures. In my own view, Western society has lost its moral fiber.... For me, the greater issue for Western societies, Ugandan societies, and African societies is to ask the question about cultures. To what extent do cultures decay and cease to reflect the will of God? You must go beyond laws. Laws simply reflect where societies are at. For me, this is the debate. It is not right that Western societies should impose cultural norms and values upon us. The issue of acceptance of homosexuality has a lot to do with the loss of moral and ethical values."

As to input from Christians of any stripe from outside Uganda, Niringiye said, "[T]o be honest, to all-whether they are American Christians, whether they are liberals, whoever they are-I think you’ve got to trust the leadership in this country, both the Christians and our legislating processes. The international community is behaving like they can’t trust Ugandans to come up with a law that is fair. ’No! No! That is not fair!’ When the Western governments or Western churches or Christians speak loudly about the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this bill, you actually begin to fuel the idea that homosexuality is the product of Western culture.

"Western homosexual groups are seeking to make homosexuality an acceptable practice here," continued Niringiye. "In these attempts by churches or Christian leaders to speak in favor or against, they seem to indicate we don’t know what we want for our own society. I would plead with governments and the Rick Warrens of this world, ’Don’t make any public pronouncements about this bill. Allow Ugandan society to be able to pronounce itself on what Ugandans feel would be good.’

"None of the American evangelicals have ever spoken first about the fact that rape is punishable by death in this country," noted the bishop. "Suddenly, because of homosexuality, the issue has arisen. Why? The homosexual lobby is very, very active in making the homosexual issue a human rights issue. How long shall we keep speaking about human rights? When shall we speak about human wrongs?"

Although Niringiye seemed to appeal to higher ideals--holiness, justice--in defending his government’s contemplation of the bill, he added, "I don’t want us to confuse the church for the kingdom of God. The church is not always a manifestation of the kingdom of God. Sometimes the church is a sign of the kingdom of God. Other times, the church is a cultural sign, pointing away from the kingdom of God.

"It does not mean every time someone is speaking in the name of Christ, they may even invoke the name of Christ; it’s not always the case," Niringiye continued. "For Christians, find ways you can encourage us, engage with us, in being witnesses to the kingdom of God in our culture. Is your culture in decay? Yes. Are there aspects of our culture that are in decay? Yes."

--------------------------

The British Broadcasting Corp. suffered criticism from lawmakers for inviting debate on whether homosexuals should face execution in Uganda.

The broadcaster launched an on-line debate over a proposed Ugandan law that would punish some homosexual acts by life imprisonment or death. Legislation being considered in the African country would impose the death penalty on some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report their homosexuality to authorities.

BBC’s "Africa Have Your Say" Web site asked for people’s views on whether Uganda has gone too far and whether there should be any laws against gays.

The page’s title was originally "Should homosexuals face execution?" but was later changed to "Should Uganda debate gay execution?" Several British politicians said the taxpayer-funded broadcaster should not treat the execution of gays as a legitimate topic for discussion.

"We should be looking at what is going on in Uganda with abhorrence," said lawmaker Eric Joyce of the ruling Labour Party. "We should be condemning it, and the BBC should be condemning it. ... Instead it seems to have thought it appropriate to come up with something that suggests it’s a subject for discussion."

Lynne Featherstone, a lawmaker from the opposition Liberal Democrats, said she has written to BBC executives seeking an apology and an end to the Web discussion.

"Suggesting that the state-sponsored murder of gay people is OK as a legitimate topic for debate is deeply offensive," she said.

The forum attracted more than 600 comments and triggered a lively Twitter discussion.

The BBC’s World Service Africa program editor, David Stead, defended the debate. In a blog posted on the BBC Web site, he said editors had "thought long and hard about using this question" and sought to reflect the diverse views about homosexuality in Africa.

"We agree that it is a stark and challenging question, but think that it accurately focuses on and illustrates the real issue at stake," he said.

The director of the BBC World Service has apologised for the offence caused by a debate on its website yesterday asking readers to debate whether gays should be executed.

In a statement published on the BBC Editors' Blog today, Peter Horrocks apologised but added that it was a "legitimate and responsible attempt to support a challenging discussion".

The debate was on Uganda's proposed anti-gay bill, which could see gays and lesbians executed. A number of BBC online readers said the bill should be passed.

He wrote: "The original headline on our website was, in hindsight, too stark. We apologise for any offence it caused. But it's important that this does not detract from what is a crucial debate for Africans and the international community.

"The programme was a legitimate and responsible attempt to support a challenging discussion about proposed legislation that advocates the death penalty for those who undertake certain homosexual activities in Uganda – an important issue where the BBC can provide a platform for debate that otherwise would not exist across the continent and beyond."

One PinkNews.co.uk reader questioned why he had used the phrase "undertake certain homosexual activities", saying: "What? Like window dressing and hair styling?"

Horrocks also told the BBC World Service's Newshour programme today: "The main way in which people have responded to this is because the headline was extracted and circulated through social media and people responded to that. That is something quite new and its something we have to think quite carefully about, when things are taken out of context how do they seem," he said. "We need learn from that and that is the change were are seeing."

News of the debate quickly spread around Twitter yesterday afternoon, with readers asking whether the BBC would allow topics such as the extermination of Jews in World War II.

Yesterday afternoon, the BBC changed the question to 'Should Uganda debate gay execution?' after lobbying from BBC Pride, the state broadcaster's LGBT society.

The debate was raised by parliament by Labour MP Eric Joyce, while Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone called on the BBC to apologise.

The National Union of Journalists has also attacked the BBC.

At an emergency meeting of the World Service news and current affairs chapel of the union late yesterday, it issued a statement saying the post was "overly sensationalist" and could encourage homophobia.

Minister for Europe Chris Bryant has attacked the BBC for holding a debate on whether gays should be executed.

Bryant, who is gay, told PinkNews.co.uk he would be writing to the BBC's World Service director Peter Horrocks to demand an explanation, adding that the online debate could lead to further homophobic hatred.

The Have Your Say question, posted on Tuesday evening, read: "Should homosexuals face execution?".

A number of readers agreed that the proposed bill in Uganda, which would impose the death penalty on gays, would be a good idea.

Bryant said: "I will be writing to Peter Horrocks to ask him to explain how the BBC could have made such as ludicrous mistake.

"I will be asking him in the strongest terms to explain."

He said he was "flabbergasted" to hear of the debate question on the taxpayer-funded broadcaster's website, adding: "How insensitive could the BBC possibly be? If they want to stoke homophobic hatred, this would be the right way."

He added that the British foreign ministry campaigns against the death penalty around the world, including in Uganda.

Horrocks wrote a short apology for the debate on the BBC's World Service editors' blog today. He apologised for the offence caused but reiterated previous BBC statements that the question was designed to provoke discussion of an important topic.

News of the debate quickly spread around Twitter yesterday afternoon, with readers asking whether the BBC would allow topics such as the extermination of Jews in World War II.

On Wednesday afternoon, the BBC changed the question to 'Should Uganda debate gay execution?' after lobbying from BBC Pride, the state broadcaster's LGBT society.

The debate was raised by parliament by Labour MP Eric Joyce, while Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone called on the BBC to apologise.

The National Union of Journalists has also attacked the BBC.

At an emergency meeting of the World Service news and current affairs chapel of the union late yesterday, it issued a statement saying the post was "overly sensationalist" and could encourage homophobia.

BBC editors have defended allowing online readers to debate whether gays in Uganda should be executed, saying they accepted it was a "challenging question".

The discussion, on the broadcaster's Have Your Say feature, asked: "Should homosexuals face execution?"

The debate centres on Uganda, where an anti-gay bill is passing through parliament. It would impose execution or life imprisonment on gays, its sponsor David Bahati MP says.

Some commentators on the site, from both the UK and Africa, had agreed with the country's proposed law.

It was closed at around 4pm this afternoon after provoking a storm of anger on Twitter.

A number of readers emailed PinkNews.co.uk to complain that the question was offensive, arguing that readers would not be asked to debate the extermination of Jews in World War II.

On Twitter, users attacked the BBC for allowing the debate to be held and several claimed to have reported the broadcaster to police for "hate crimes".

By way of comment, a BBC press officer cited a blog written by World Service Africa Have Your Say editor David Stead.

He said that editors of the programme thought "long and hard" about posing the question and added it prompted "a lot of internal debate".

Stead wrote: "We agree that it is a stark and challenging question, but think that it accurately focuses on and illustrates the real issue at stake.

"If Uganda's democratically elected MPs vote to proceed with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill this week they will bring onto the statute book legislation that could condemn people to death for some homosexual activities.

"We published it alongside clear explanatory text which gave the context of the bill itself. And as we said at the top of our debate page, we accept it is a stark and disturbing question. But this is the reality behind the bill.

"This issue has already sparked much debate around the world and understandably led to us receiving many emails and texts. We have sought to moderate these rigorously while at the same time trying to reflect the varied and hugely diverse views about homosexuality in Africa."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has demanded an apology from the BBC for allowing readers to debate the topic.

Featherstone, the party's youth and equality spokeswoman, said she had written to the Director General to demand action on the topic.

She said: "I would be the first person to stand up for open debate and free speech, but any conversation that starts 'should homosexuals face execution' is completely skewed and unacceptable in this forum.

"Suggesting that the state-sponsored murder of gay people is OK as a legitimate topic for debate is deeply offensive. The BBC are only fanning the flames of hatred as many of the comments demonstrate. They must act and apologise for their gross insensitivity."

Updates from December 22nd, 2009

The President of Uganda has threatened to veto the a controversial new bill that could see homosexuals sentenced to the death penalty or lifetime imprisonment.

US newspaper DC Agenda claims that President Yoweri Museveni pledged to US secretary of state for African affairs Jonnie Carson on two separate occasions that he would reject the bill currently making its way through parliament.

The bill's sponsor, David Bahati MP, has argued that it will curb HIV infections and protect the "traditional family".

It has been subject to worldwide condemnation and since the first reports emerged in mid-October, has received widespread media attention.

UK prime minister Gordon Brown told President Museveni last month of his concerns and the United Nations and the World Health Organisation have said that Uganda may lose the chance to host an important permanent Aids research organisation if the bill is passed.

2009-12-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

Quebec has always been at the forefront of LGBT equality, and this only goes to further their forward thinking that puts them way ahead of the rest of North America, and more in parallel with European acceptance.

The government of Quebec has studied the problem of homophobia for years and is now poised to implement new policies to move beyond "tolerance" and toward "acceptance."

Quebec Justice Minister Kathleen Weil was cited in a Dec. 11 Montreal Gazette article as saying that the aim of the program was to promote societal, as well as legal, equality. Homosexuality as decriminalized in Canada four decades ago, but homophobic attitudes persist.

Despite decades of gains for GLBT Canadians, "sexual diversity is still widely misunderstood," Quebec Premier Jean Charest writes in his introductory remarks to the newly published Quebec Policy Against Homophobia. "Cultures and mindsets remain
marked by homophobic prejudice and sentiment. In families, schools and workplaces, it is not unusual for individuals to face rejection, bullying, and even violent behavior triggered by homophobia. This, in turn, forces them to keep their sexual orientation a secret in order to avoid social disapproval."

Charest’s commentary continues, "An inclusive society such as ours must take the necessary steps to combat homophobic attitudes and behavior patterns, and move towards full acceptance of sexual diversity. By introducing this Québec policy against homophobia, the government hopes to trigger a firm commitment, by institutions and the general population, to fight all forms of homophobia. The policy sets out the government’s goal of removing all the obstacles to full recognition of the social equality of the sexual minorities, at all levels of society. The message is clear: our society has everything to gain from accepting sexual diversity and fighting intolerance."

The new policies are based on the findings of a 2007 report looking into the prevalence of homophobia in Quebec’s schools, workplaces, and medical care facilities, an Aug. 16 Canadian Press article reported. That report found that GLBT youth were particularly hard hit by homophobia, with a suicide rate of up to sixteen times greater than straight youth.

"Minorities are often confronted with obstacles, obstacles that stop them from reaching their full potential as human beings," Weil said. "Society can’t afford that, can’t afford to lose these great people."

The next step is the development of a pan-ministerial committee that will create a comprehensive "action plan," the article said, which is expected to take another year. After final evaluations, the plan will be put into effect.

"By creating this policy, we need the adherence of the community at large," Weil said.

Gai Écoute crisis phone line chair Laurent McCutcheon told the Montreal Gazette that although Quebec was at the vanguard of GLBT equality, society was still only at the point of "tolerance" for gays and lesbians and their families. "What we are seeking is acceptance," said McCutcheon.

Houston Elects Lesbian Mayor

2009-12-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

Annise Parker made history this month by becoming Houston’s first openly gay mayor, seizing 53.6 percent of the vote in the city’s hotly contested election. "This election has changed the world for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. Just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better, and that’s what my administration will be about," Parker told supporters after former city attorney Gene Locke conceded defeat.

Voters went to the polls on Saturday, Dec. 12, for a runoff election, which would decide whether Houston will become the largest U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor. The runoff election pit City Controller Annise Parker against former city attorney Gene Locke.

Parker is a lesbian who has never made a secret or an issue of her sexual orientation. But in recent weeks, anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups have endorsed the 61-year-old Locke and sent out mailers condemning Parker’s "homosexual behavior."

Meanwhile, gay and lesbian political organizations around the country have rallied to support the 53-year-old Parker. Locke, who is black, was relying on a heavy turnout from black voters, but apparently the crucial suburban-ring Republican voters went toward Parker.

The gay-baiting mailers may in fact have backfired on Locke after it was revealed that some in his campaign were behind them. Houston, long known as a conservative bastion, has changed greatly in recent decades. The oil industry still dominates, but healthcare, NASA and other high-tech industries have brought an influx of young professionals. At the same time, the city has received a large influx of Hispanic immigrants and people who left New Orleans after Katrina -- all of which has probably added to Democratic voting rolls.

At her victory celebration, Parker’s partner, Kathy Hubbard, was prominently by her side. She acknowledged the historic nature of her victory. Many in the audience were gay but there were many others as well, reflecting the broad coalition she had managed to cobble together in the often-fractious sprawling metropolis of 2.2 million people.

Providence, R.I., has a gay mayor, as does Portland, Ore., The European capitals of Berlin and Paris have both had gay mayors. But this marks a major step for an American city of over 1 million people--as well as for lesbians (all the other mayors mentioned were gay men). There is one out-lesbian who is the head of government of an independent nation. Johanna Sigurdardottir is the premier of Iceland. It also has a deep significance for taking place in the largest city in Texas, normally known as a deep-red conservative bastion.

Food Vouchers for the Homeless in Toronto

2009-12-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

This seems like a good idea, as it helps provide warms meals to the homeless, and makes the public feel good about giving away their hard earned money. The one thing not mentioned in this National Post article is how the donations being collected are going to be allocated. I'm almost certain a good percentage of all money collected will go toward administrative costs of implementing and running this program, including printing costs and staff salaries. So instead of $5.00 going directly into into the pock of a homeless person, it will be managed by an organization in whatever way them deem fit.

I'm also quite disturbed at how many times the word addiction appears in this article. Not every person on the street has an addiction. In reality, people end up on the streets due to mental illnesses, loss of work, family troubles, and various other reasons. Let's not lump everyone in the same category here people.

Overall, if it helps feed the hungry, then I'm keen to see it work. We just need to have public disclosure and accountability for the donated funds.

Read on.....

-----------------

Volunteers for a Toronto charity will flood downtown subway stations on Thursday to offer, in exchange for donations, free-lunch coupons donors can give to the homeless.

The event was created to address public skepticism about giving money directly to people who live on the street.

“This way, you know your money is going towards feeding those in need and that you’re not enabling an addiction,” said Darlene Desveaux, the manager of 6 St. Joseph House in downtown Toronto. With the help of food donations from Second Harvest, 6 St. Joseph House provides a hot lunch twice weekly to anyone who comes through its door.

Alan Beattie, managing director of Sanctuary, a nearby church that works extensively with people who are homeless, applauds the effort, but cautions that donations of coupons, gift certificates and the like, instead of cash, could be construed as demeaning.

“It could be interpreted, as ‘I don’t trust you with my hard-earned money,’” he said. “On the other hand, no one wants to give someone a noose to hang themselves with, which is what giving money to an addict can feel like.”

The lunch coupons were originally conceived two years ago in a different way: they were viewed as a tool to attract potential volunteers, and invited donors to visit 6 St. Joseph House. When a woman refused to donate because she said she would not use the lunch coupon, Ms. Desveaux suggested she give it to a homeless person instead.

“The woman was so taken with the idea she took out her wallet and handed me a $10 bill,” recalls Ms. Desveaux. “I knew we were on to something.”

Ms. Desveaux said there is a second benefit associated with the coupon approach. “By giving it to someone who is struggling you’re helping that person find their way to us,” she said. The House offers several programs to help those facing challenges such as poverty, mental illness and addiction.

With the goal of raising $15,000, the charity expects to place more than 80 volunteers in nine subway stations, making it their largest campaign to date.

“Our fund-raiser is not meant to stop people from giving money to the homeless because the reality is, men and women living on the street need the coins they collect to survive,” said Ms. Desveaux. “But we are pleased to provide an alternative way of giving.”

Religion vs Reality - One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

2009-12-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

Under the duress of a lawsuit and threats of recall, the Alameda Board of Education (Califonia) has voted to phase out an elementary school curriculum it adopted in May of this year to prevent anti-gay bullying.

The so-called Lesson 9, which had become an opposition centerpiece in a national anti-gay marriage campaign, will be replaced by a more generic anti-bullying message. The board’s action Tuesday night did little to ease the tension between gay parents, who want their children protected, and parents who who think elementary school is too early to talk to students about gay people.

The new anti-bullying lessons approved by the board, at the recommendation of School Superintendent Kirsten Vital, will be supplemented by children’s books that explicitly address six specific forms of bias, including bias toward gays. Vital said her recommendation was meant to counter complaints from parents opposed to the original lesson because it highlighted only one type of bullying.

"This has torn apart our community," said school trustee Trish Herrera Spencer, the board member most opposed to the gay curriculum and who opposed adding the supplemental books. She said the board’s latest action did not take into consideration "the strong beliefs" of all in the community.

The 45-minute Lesson 9, which was to be taught once a year in each grade starting with kindergarten, sparked a lawsuit, accusations that religious families were being discriminated against and threats of a recall election against the three board members who approved it.

"There is not an off-the-shelf, perfect curriculum that is going to work for our community," Vital said, explaining that she wants to solicit book recommendations, bring them back to the school board for approval in a few months and then work with teachers to develop accompanying lesson plans in time for the 2010-11 academic year.

Several parents said they did not trust a teachers’ committee to pick books that would both satisfy gay and lesbian parents and parents with religious views that do not condone homosexuality. "Freedom of religion is protected from harassment and discrimination from anyone. It may be of no consequence to some, but it is a very integral part of many traditional families and should be honored," said Kellie Wood, who has three children in Alameda schools and is part of a group circulating recall election petitions.

Kathy Passmore, a lesbian mother of two, said she hears students using anti-gay language in her job as a sixth grade teacher in Alameda. She urged the school board to retain the spirit of Lesson 9. "The children of gay families exist and are attending ASUD schools every single day," she said. "They are here."

A dozen Alameda families sued the school district earlier this year over its contention that parents did not have to be notified in advance when teachers planned to give the lessons so they could keep their children from receiving them. Last week, an Alameda Superior Court judge sided with the school district, ruling that a state law allowing parents to have their "opt-out" of discussions about human sexuality did not apply to Lesson 9. Kevin Snider, a lawyer with the conservative Pacific Justice Institute who represented the Alameda families, said before the school board’s vote that his clients would not appeal the judge’s ruling if the school board eliminated Lesson 9.

This seems like the typical phobic close-minded religious folks trying to keep the blinders on their children in hopes of ensuring the same staid values of centuries past are upheld. The few forward thinking individuals are being targeted to stop developing open-mindedness and creating an environment of freedom and choice. This doesn't seem like it's reached a plateau yet, so it will be interesting to see what the 2010 school curriculum will hold.

Puppetry of the Penis - December 11/2 - Toronto

2009-12-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

The wildly successful PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS, The Ancient Australian Art of Genital Origami, will return to Toronto at the Winter Garden Theatre on December 11th and 12th at 7:30pm.

The comedy spectacular will star a brand new cast! Rich Binning and Christopher J. Cannon starred in the hit New York City production, and they are now excited to get their packages ready and go on tour! Requiring amazing concentration, astonishing stamina, an unbelievable stretch factor and a remarkable level of testicular fortitude, this show leaves the audience gasping (and groping) at over 40 heroic and hilarious penis installations including the Pelican, The Windsurfer, The Eiffel Tower, Loch Ness Monster, and their signature installation, the Hamburger.

A must-see-to-believe experience

PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS is a non-sexual adult show.
Tickets for the Friday, December 11th and Saturday, December 12th 7:30 pm engagement at the Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto are available at (416) 872-5555, Ticketmaster.ca and at the Winter Garden Theatre box office at 189 Yonge Street, Toronto. Tickets are $37.50 and $47.50.

For more information, please visit: www.puppetryofthepenis.com

HISTORY OF THE PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS

Experienced by over 1 million people in over 14 countries

Puppetry of the Penis was conceived by Simon Morley in 1996 as the title of a classy, highbrow art calendar, showcasing twelve of his favorite penis installations. Years before, Simon’s youngest brother had shown him his first genital trick, ‘The Hamburger’. Natural sibling rivalry with their two other brothers resulted in the evolution of a healthy repertoire of genital gesticulations. It was on New Year’s Eve in 1997, with a garage full of calendars to sell and burgeoning requests for live demonstrations that Simon finally decided to unleash his talent on the world.

The natural choice of performing partner was David Friend, whose reputation as the life of any party was quickly growing. As a young boy, Friend began his current career in the bath and developed his skills further when he discovered beer at university in Byron Bay. After completing his degree in computing, he returned to Melbourne with his own highly individual collection of hanging art. Together, Simon and Friend became Puppetry of the Penis. Their debut season at the 1998 Melbourne International Comedy Festival was a huge hit. Simon and Friend then embarked on a national tour, circumnavigating Australia. This took eight months, covered 20,000 kilometres and was captured in all its glory in the documentary Tackle Happy.

A runaway hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2000, Puppetry of the Penis then set about the task of world domination, playing London's West End, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and launching multiple US companies, with one playing the John Houseman Theatre in New York for 2 years, and another two touring extensively, with sit-downs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. As of today, most of the Western World has played host to Puppetry of the Penis. Due to popular demand, Simon and his band of penis puppeteers continue to take their penises to the people with performances in Australia, Canada, USA, the UK and South Africa.

Not In My Backyard - Moscow Suggests "Sexual Minority" Events To Be Held In Berlin

2009-12-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

The Commissioner for Human Rights in Moscow, Alexander Muzykantsk, has suggested that Russian gays and lesbians should hold gay Pride marches in Germany, instead of their own country.

In a published interview he stated, “I'm not ready to support the parade of sexual minorities in Moscow." Instead he suggested they could hold them in Berlin. “In recent years Berlin has become de facto the world capital of sexual minorities", he continued. "There are friendly relations between the mayors of Moscow and Berlin, so why not sign an agreement in which the representatives of sexual minorities in Moscow will hold their parade in Berlin with the support of the city?”, he concluded.

Past marches in Moscow have been marred by protests and violence, so it appears this is Muzykantsk's rationale behind this odd suggestion. Just how the citzens of Moscow would particpate in "their" Pride festival remains to be addressed. Perhaps increased tolerance and education for some of the citizens, the police forces and government would make for a better strategy. Voice your opinion and help eliminate hatred.

Uganda, Pepsi and Beenie Man - Strange Bedfellows

2009-12-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

As reported through various media outlets, Uganda was proposing new anti-homosexual laws that would not only keep the act of homesexuality illegal, but would bring the death penalty to anyone found practicing this act. This was by far one of the worse forms of homophobia and hate based tactics that has been publicly exposed in quite some time. After much pressure from various international human rights and LGBT organizations, as well as vocal opposition to these proposed laws from several Christian leaders within the United States,some components of the proposed legislation have been removed.

In a public effort to denounce any such support of the death penalty for homosexuals in Uganda, a coalition of Christian groups issued a statement condemning any such action. The statement said, in part, “As Americans, some may wonder why we are raising our voices to oppose a measure proposed in a nation so far away from home. We do so to bear witness to our Christian values, and to express our condemnation of an injustice in which groups and leaders within the American Christian community are being implicated. We appeal to all Christian leaders in our own country to speak out against this unjust legislation.”

Assumingly based on these worldwide pressures to not impose such extreme and uncalled for measures, Uganda will drop the death penalty and life imprisonment for gays in a refined version of an anti-gay bill expected to be ready for presentation to Parliament within two weeks. The draft bill, which is under consideration by a parliamentary committee, will drop the two punishments to attract the support of religious leaders who are opposed to these penalties.

This does not eliminate the extreme ignorance and hatre that the government leaders of Uganda obviously retain. No form of any 'anti-homosexuality' bill should be allowed to pass within this country. Gay rights groups have urged Commonwealth leaders to throw Uganda out of the Commonwealth unless it drops the proposed law. This should also include eliminating any national funding sources.

The minister for ethics and integrity, James Nsaba Buturo, reportedly said a more "refined" set of punishments would be favoured instead of execution. Although it is not clear what this means, he pointed to so-called 'gay cure' therapies, saying the bill would promote counselling for gay people. If the provisions for execution and life imprisonment are dropped, the bill still places severe penalties on gay people, their families and those who work for gay organisations. Other offences include promoting homosexuality, aiding and abetting homosexuality and keeping a house "for purposes of homosexuality". The MP who tabled the bill, David Bahati, has argued his bill will protect children, youths and the "traditional family".

In a somewhat bizarre unrelated incident, well-known homophobic reggae artist Beenie Man recently played a concert in Uganda, sponsored by PepsiCo. Beenie Man would make a great spokesperson for this 'anti-homosexuality' bill, but does Pepsi want its image attached to all of this? Apparently their company spokesperson said they were unaware of his homophobic lyrics, and they quickly reacted by cancelling any further relations.

Beenie Man, real name Anthony Moses Davis, has a number of songs which advocate the murder of lesbians and gays. During the concernt the singer reportedly said: "In my family, we don’t have any gay person but if you’re gay, my brother that’s not my fault." He then performed his song Mi Nah Wallah, which details his wish to cut the throats of all gay men. Other lyrics by the singer include "I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays", while one song suggests lesbians should be hanged. All this seems fine to those running the star-studded annual Grammy Awards, as Mr Man is up for four nominations. Will he make an appearance should this actually become a reality?

What this all means is that there is still a large portion of the world that exhibits hate based propoganda and actions toward those they find different to themselves. As individuals and organizations, we need to stand up and bring light to any actions deemed hateful and detrimental to society. Just because something doesn't have a direct effect on your city, neighbourhood, friends and family, doesn't mean it should be ignored. Please continue to fight hate!

Toronto Protest of Action

Pride Uganda International Alliance calls for Urgent Action to defend human rights in Uganda
Please come to a vigil to protest the new Anti-Homosexuality Bill under debate by the parliament of Uganda.

Where: 519 Church St. Community Centre

When: 5:30 – 7:30 Friday December 18 2009

The new Anti-Homosexuality Bill, imposes the following:
- The death penalty for 'aggravated homosexuality' (includes HIV positive status) and 'serial' homosexual acts.
- Life imprisonment for all same-sex behaviour.
- Life imprisonment for contracting a same-sex marriage.
- Seven years imprisonment for ‘aiding and abating’ homosexuality.
- Five to seven years imprisonment for supporting homosexuality or publishing material ‘promoting’ homosexuality.
- Three years imprisonment for not reporting any offence covered by the bill, within 24 hours.

Under Uganda’s existing laws, the police arbitrarily arrest and detain men and women accused of engaging in consensual sex with someone of the same sex. Human rights organizations have documented cases of torture against lesbians and gay men in detention because of their sexual orientation. The new bill will further criminalize the work of activists and organizations working for the defense and promotion of human rights in Uganda; and create major barriers to effective HIV/AIDS prevention efforts.

We call for the immediate withdrawal of the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" currently being debated in the Ugandan parliament.

Please join us in defending human rights in Uganda.

Pride Uganda International Alliance.

Update - December 22, 2009

The fight against HIV in Asia could be greatly assisted if countries moved to legalise homosexuality, according to a leading Chinese AIDS activist.

Zhen Li of the Tong Zhi awareness group was speaking at a three-day forum hosted by Hong Kong's Department of Health, the World Health Organisation, the UNDP and the Joint UN Programmes on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

"Between 2005 and 2008 China made huge progress in addition to working with civil society as partners," Li said.

In 2001 homosexual acts were decriminalised, allowing HIV prevention workers to work more openly with men who have sex with men.

Asia's second most populous country, India, is considering decriminalisation.

"As long as these laws are in effect it will push people into dark places," Li said.

In China, the risk of infection by men who have sex with men is 45 times higher than for men in general.

Asia is believed to have the world's largest number of men having sex with men, estimated at 10 million.

A recent UNAIDS report showed that targeted prevention interventions are reaching only 1% of the MSM population.
The report also showed that in most countries in Asia and the Pacific, national strategic plans for HIV/AIDS do not cover interventions for MSM and transgender individuals.

Pride Toronto granted $140,000 for 'greening' of festival

2009-12-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

The new brass at Pride Toronto seem fit on making waves in the city - waves of fresh views that is. Their recent announcement indicating a plan to make the festival more environmentally friendly is a big step in the right direction. Although the press release belows speaks in generalities only, I for one am looking forward to seeing what the overall strategic plan will be for Pride 2010. As with any large scale event, there is tons of waste created, energy used and emissions generated.

For my initial wish list, I'd like to see everyone reusing their plastic beverage glasses. Perhaps Pride could offer a discount on drinks when patrons bring up their emply cups for refills. How about alternative energy sources for some of the power needed at the stages and various other sites. This happens at the height of summer, so let's put the sun to work and think of solar energy options. Could we reduce the amount of printed guides, and perhaps have dedicated "Information Centres" where schedules are posted, pencils and recycled paper is available for note taking, computer stations are available with access restricted to the Pride homepage? For those items that do get printed, recyclable newsprint should be the only option.

I could go on and on, but I'll leave that to the powers that be at Pride, who have made the first baby step to a brighter, more sparkling and earth-friendly event.

Official Release

Pride Toronto will receive $140,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to work in partnership with The Icarus Foundation to assist Pride Week to reduce its carbon footprint in Toronto and become more environmentally sustainable over the next three years.

The official funding announcement was made today by George Smitherman, MPP for Toronto Centre-Rosedale at a press conference led by David Whitaker, President of Tourism Toronto. Members of Pride Toronto and The Icarus Foundation were present, as well as Paul-Francois Sylvestre, a member of the OTF’s Grant Review Team.

“Although increasing focus has been placed on greening business practices, these initiatives have not spread as widely in the tourism industry, especially for festivals and public events,” said Tracey Sandilands, Executive Director, Pride Toronto. “Our aim is not only to reduce Pride Week’s footprint but to also reach and educate our diverse audience on how they can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and to showcase this opportunity for festivals and events across Canada.”

Tourism is the world’s largest industry and the economic impacts are well documented. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism generated $3.9 trillion and accounted for 9.8% of the world's GDP in 2005. However, with this growth has come negative impacts and threats.

In addition to tourism creating mass consumption of resources such as water and energy in Canada, our climate has an important influence on operating costs such as heating and cooling, food, water supply and insurance costs. Canada's roster of festivals and events makes up an important part of the tourism industry and has a huge environmental footprint.

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with The Icarus Foundation to provided added benefits to our local community,” added Sandilands. “They have a wealth of experience in working to reduce the footprint of festivals and events and they are passionate about fostering a sustainable tourism industry. The organization has international expertise in this field, and a wide diversity of skills to provide strategic direction.”

The funding will be used to conduct an audit in the first year, and to finance the employment of a Program Manager to oversee the greening initiatives and to educate and train staff, volunteers and members of the community.

Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) - To Be Passed This Week?

2009-12-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

It seems the McGuinty government is forging straight ahead with the HST implementation, despite an apparent non-approval rating from most of the citizens of Ontario. Polls are showing as high as 80% are opposed to the new combined tax structure. However, in typical Canadian fashion, there doesn't seem to be any noticeable public protests toward this opposition, save for some online activity. If this tax is as evil as believed, and will affect pretty much everyone, then perhaps it's time to get off our collective desk chairs and make ourselves visible to our councillors and other members of parliament. If we choose to sit back and do nothing, then we all suffer the consequences, much alike those who don't vote but love to complain about government.

Here's a bit more about what HST is all about. It basically will merge the current GST and PST taxes into one lump sum to be added to most existing items already subjected to these taxes, as well as others currently subjected to only one or other other. It is set to take effect on July 1st, 2010. Ironically, Canada Day...or not!

Backgrounder (Small business and the HST)
• Many small businesses will have to add a new sales tax to a laundry list of goods and services: magazines, vitamins, veterinary care, dry cleaning, home renovation, hair cuts, and massage therapy.
• Given that many small businesses do not pay sales taxes on their inputs, they won’t be able to pass on any savings to consumers. Local small businesses worry that higher prices will force customers to look to big box stores.

Affected Items
- GST was previously applied on Gasoline and diesel which will no longer be taxed under the Harmonized Sales Tax.
- Homes below $400,000 would receive a rebate compensating for the HST, and -- unlike the GST -- the rebate would not be recaptured.
- Items from haircuts to carpet cleaning that today include only the five per cent GST will see an increase in costs. However, the PST portion of the HST will be exempt on newspapers and fast food items not exceeding $4 per purchase.
- Exceptions include household goods as children's clothing and shoes, car seats, diapers and feminine hygiene products HST exempt

Consumers are most likely to notice an increase in the price of gasoline and heating fuels. Electricity will no longer be exempt from provincial sales tax, nor will tobacco, personal services like haircuts, membership fees for clubs and gyms, newspapers and magazines, taxi fares and the professional services of lawyers, architects and accountants. Real estate commissions will also be taxed.

What the government wants us to believe:

The province says implementation of the single sales tax would bring Ontario into line with "what is viewed as the most efficient form of sales taxation around the world." The finance ministry says the single sales tax would reduce the cost of goods that Ontario exports, making the province more competitive and boosting a sector of the economy that has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn.

At the moment, businesses may not deduct the PST from the cost of materials and other products they buy; instead, they pass the cost along to consumers. But under harmonization, businesses may claim tax credits for those purchases, which some estimates suggest could save them $3-billion a year.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce believes a fully blended system would cost consumers approximately $905 million in additional sales taxes per year, while the GST and PST bill for companies would fall by $1.6 billion annually.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses says harmonization will save business $100 million a year in reduced red tape.

Businesses will save a further $500-million a year on the costs of administering a single tax instead of two, according to the budget documents.

British Columbia is also set to implement the same HST law simultaneously, and other provinces have done similar in the past. It seems that it isn't just the public being laxidasical about the changes being implemented without public consideration, but parliament seems to not care less either.

Recent article posted Dec 3, 2009.

The HST is closer to becoming law in British Columbia and Ontario after the House of Commons voted in favour of the controversial new collection regime Thursday.

The Conservative government's motion was backed by the Liberals and Bloc Quebecois, setting the stage for the formal amendment of the Excise Tax Act.

The government is moving to fast-track the legislation, so it could be voted into law as early as next week.

Only New Democrats voted against the ways-and-means motion, which passed 192-32.

But the fact that only 224 MPs were present to cast a vote in the 308-seat House spoke volumes about how gun-shy even supportive parties' members are of the harmonized sales tax.

Thirty-five Conservatives, including 10 members of cabinet and the travelling prime minister, missed the vote. The Liberals were short 28 MPs, although Leader Michael Ignatieff made a virtue of the fact no Liberal actually voted against tax harmonization despite several threats this week.

"The Liberals are certainly speaking with one voice on the HST," said Ignatieff.

"We made a tough decision because we believe that provinces, both British Columbia and Ontario, want this legislation. They believe that it will create jobs and employment in those two provinces."

The change, negotiated between the Harper government and provincial Liberal governments in B.C. and Ontario, will permit the provinces to start collecting a combined GST and PST next July 1.

Consumer groups in both provinces have railed against the change, since it will expand the range of goods and services subject to provincial sales tax.

But the provinces, helped by billion-dollar packages pledged by Ottawa, say they will be rebating consumers for the hit they take on newly taxed items such as heating fuel and baby clothes.

The Harper government, like the federal Liberal government that preceded it, has been pushing for the harmonized tax since at least at least 2008. The Conservative budget that year said "tax harmonization is the single most important step provinces with (sales taxes) could take to improve the competitiveness of Canadian business."

The federal government provided Ontario with $4.3 billion to induce it to harmonize, while B.C. negotiated a $1.6-billion payment from Ottawa that will help provincial consumers over the tax transition.

Quebec has already effectively gone to a single sales tax, and Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador all use a harmonized sales tax.

We all still have time for a say on this, but act fast as it maybe a lost opportunity by the end of this week.

Lambert Lambasted

2009-12-03T08:50:00.000-08:00

Seems the guy-on-guy smooch and simulated copulation are still on the minds of many controlling American media honchos. First his new CD has vanished from the Billboard charts altogether, and has fallen drastically on both Amazon and iTunes. Also, more cancellations of confirmed performances on ABC programs have been announced. Is this because people aren't interested, or because of some internally programmed censorship. All his other co-Idols seem to be doing just fine in sales and ranking.

If you search on Billboard.com for Adam Lambert's new album, "For Your Entertainment", you will get a message saying it has not charted yet. An article on Billboard stated Adam's album debuted at #3 it's first week, but doesn't say where it stands now. Some commenters on Billboard.com are screaming censorship because they are not able to see Lambert's rankings.

As of today, Lambert's debut album, "For Your Entertainment", has fallen to the #27 spot on Amazon's top 100 downloads. The single "For Your Entertainment" has fallen out of the top 100 downloads altogether. On iTunes, "For Your Entertainment" (both the album and the single) have taken a similar nosedive.

How much does anti-Adam sentiment play into this? Well, apparently, a lot. A Facebook group called "1,000,000 to File an FCC Obscenity Complaint Against Adam Lambert" has gained a following of about 500 this past week (however, many of them are LGBT people who joined in solidarity to speak out supporting Adam, and to report the group for spreading hate speech). Some members have "Yes on Prop 8 " logos as their profile picture.

The group says, "We are organizing over 1 million people to file an online complaint with the FCC against Adam Lambert using the following statement - Adam Lambert committed several obscene homosexual acts when he French kissed another man, simulated receiving oral sex from another man, groped another mans genitals, and committed other obscene sexual acts during his live televised performance on the American Music Awards Show which was aired live on national television November 22nd, 2009 on ABC."

Lambert told Ellen DeGeneres on her show, "I suppose part of what I got caught up in, that I forgot, was that this was the first time people were seeing me on TV again after Idol. I didn't really think about that as objectively as I might of wanted to." He added, "It was maybe a little too far." His father suggested he maybe make an apology, but Lambert stated "I don't feel like I did anything wrong, it just wasn't maybe the right judgment call. It's a taste thing more than an obscenity thing. I think it's just a taste level."

This comes on the heels of news that Disney-owned ABC's head of television Anne Sweeney said the network is "reviewing the steps it takes in preparing for live broadcasts of performers" following Adam's notorious November 22nd performance on the network's American Music Awards, which has garnered both praise and criticism. Sweeney told Reuters, "We certainly don't want to suppress artistry at any level, but we also have to be very cognizant of who our audience is."

Adam Lambert tweeted today that his performance scheduled for December 17 on Disney-owned ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live had been canceled, according to the LA Times. An ABC spokesperson had this to say about the network's decision to cancel - "We decided not to move forward with the booking at this time," and declined to be interviewed about the issue. Lambert has also been disinvited to perform on ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, although a spokesperson claimed that the booking was never finalized. However, Dick Clark Productions produces the AMA Red Carpet Show and is using Adam's name to encourage viewers to join on its Facebook fan page and follow it on Twitter.

Lambert also tweeted that his fans should blame the FCC, not ABC for his recent de-bookings. However, the LA Times points out that the FCC doesn't monitor programming after 10 p.m. It's right there on the FCC website - "The FCC has determined, with the approval of the courts, that there is a reasonable risk that children will be in the audience from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Therefore, the FCC prohibits station licensees from broadcasting indecent material during that period."Material is indecent if, in context, it depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium...The 'safe harbor' refers to the time period between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., local time. During this time period, a station may air indecent and/or profane material."

Lambert's performance on ABC's American Music Awards on November 22 aired near 11 p.m., well within the FCC's "safe harbor". So no matter how many people complain about the performance, nobody from ABC can point the finger of blame at the FCC for the network's continued de-booking of Adam from its shows. As for ABC's argument that Lambert "proved himself unpredictable on live television" for de-booking him on "Good Morning America" after the AMA's, he proved himself utterly safe and predictable the next day on CBS's "The Early Show" and "The David Letterman Show", delivering outstanding, crowd-pleasing performances.

Also, he seems to be building a cult of personality. He admitted to CNN International that he grew up an "ugly duckling fat kid', once weighing 250 pounds, and said his flashy behavior of late is his way of overcoming self-image problems. According to Access Hollywood, Barbara Walters has named Adam one of the "10 Most Fascinating People of 2009," which seems to be a dubious distinction, since Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Jenny Sanford, wife of disgraced South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, also made the cut. Jenny Sanford has told reporters that gay marriage wrecked her family. Barbara's show airs December 9 on NBC (check local listings).

Whatever you think of his music, his looks, or his personality, the only real possible hold back for his future is his open sexuality. Shame!

First California, Now New York - WTF?

2009-12-02T13:33:00.000-08:00

Aren't these two states supposedly the most liberal in the whole conservative wrong-wing religious dominated U S of A? Why are these wing nuts in control of these decisions in the first place? How were THEY elected to power? I find it really sad to think that the majority of US citizens are this closed minded, as the MAJORITY that I meet are way more liberal thinking. Something is wrong here, and needs to be fixed. The problem lies in that the top individuals running this country are religious fanatics themselves, whether past Republicans or current Democrats. Until religion is separated from politics, we will continue to see discrimation, hatred and unnessary evil...all in the name of their loving GAWD!

Read on and rant...

The New York State Senate voted 24-38 today against a bill that would have allowed gays and lesbians to marry in the Empire State.

The long-delayed vote came on the heels of more than two hours of passionate and even emotional debate on the Senate floor.

"Provide me with the exact same rights as you have Madam President and each and every member of the New York State Senate has," openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Manhattan,] who initially introduced the bill, said. "It would make me equal in every way to everyone else in this chamber."

State Sen. Diane Savino [D-Staten Island] was among those who applauded Duane as she spoke in support of marriage for gays and lesbians.

"We have nothing to fear from Tom Duane and [his partner] Louis," she said. "We have nothing to fear from [state Assemblymember] Danny O’Donnell and his partner. We have nothing to fear from love and commitment."

State Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson [D-Mount Vernon] spoke about her gay brother as she announced her support of the marriage bill. She also discussed those who continue to oppose nuptials for same-sex couples based on their religious convictions.

"Nobody elected me... to be the moral arbiter of their decisions," Hassell-Thompson said. "They did ask me to provide leadership and the rights for all of the people I serve."

Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith [D-St. Albans] was more blunt.

"What is wrong is not knowing what the Bible says and retreating to it," he said.

State Sen. David Valesky [D-Oneida] was among the handful of undecided lawmakers who supported the bill, but embattled state Sen. Hiram Monserrate [D-Jackson Heights] and state Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., were among the eight Democrats who voted against it. No Republicans supported the bill.

Diaz has been the most vocal opponent of gay marriage in either party. Monserrate faces an uphill re-election battle after he was found guilty of cutting up his live-in-girlfriend and trying to hide the incident.

"Let’s do what Mayor Bloomberg did: let’s go against the will of the people by doing [it] through politicians and without the people’s will," Diaz said as he spoke in opposition to the bill. "Let the people decide. I say let the people decide. If you put this issue before the voters, they will reject it." Diaz was referring to the mayor’s volte-face on term limits.

The vote has been subject to numerous delays but that the Senate Republicans wanted a floor vote at last. The state’s large Orthodox Jewish population is actively opposed; a few Orthodox Jews protested in front of the State House in Albany on Wednesday.

Activists were quick to react to the "nay" vote.

"While we are disappointed by today’s vote, we are pleased that the issue of marriage equality at last was debated in the New York State Senate," Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, said. "We had long called for a public debate on this matter so we could determine who was truly on our side."

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, herself an out-lesbian and the second-most powerful politician in the city, expressed disappointment. "Today the New York State Senate rejected an opportunity to declare that all citizens in New York are equal," she said in a statement. "This is a loss for every family in New York. This is a loss for every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorker."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, after sitting on the fence about the issue, came out forcefully in favor of gay marriage this year.

Another city politician, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer may not be gay, but his statement was even more blunt in its assessment of the Senate vote.

"Only the State Senate could snatch defeat from the jaws of pride and progress," he said. "Millions of New Yorkers, regardless of their sexual orientation, looked to Albany today hoping our state would once again take its place at the forefront of America’s long struggle for human rights.

"Instead," he said, "we were treated again to the last minute disappointment that has become all too familiar from the State Senate." Stringer, a co-sponsor of a the marriage-equality bill when he served in the Assembly, added, "Along with countless New Yorkers who have been fighting this fight for many years, I am saddened by the Senate vote. We will keep fighting, and in the end, equal justice will prevail."

Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, agreed. "Today’s vote is a vote against equal treatment for New York families," he said.

Activists are planning to rally tomorrow night in Washington Square Park in lower Manhattan and in Albany.

Ban Divorce?

2009-12-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

I'm all for helping move this motion along. If marriage is so sacred for heterosexuals, then they should be held accountable to their vows forever. That way there would be no threat that same-sex marriage would cause death and destruction to anyone.

A California man is leading a campaign to ban divorce in the state.

John Marcotte, of Sacramento, believes that if state voters think gay marriage should be illegal, divorce should also be outlawed.

He believes this is the logical extension of Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state last November, and is aiming to collect enough signatures to get a 'Marriage Protection Act' on 2010's ballot.

His website, rescuemarriage.org, features choice quotes such as "You said 'Til death do us part'. You're not dead yet." and "Jesus still loves you if you get divorced – just not as much as before."

Some readers of his website have apparently not got the irony, while others have expressed concern that churches are supporting it. Marcotte has even received some support from far-right religious groups.

Marcotte, a web designer, told the Sacramento Bee: "We're going to enforce morality in California and then we'll spread from state to state, the same way the Prop 8 backers moved to Maine.

"If you want to protect traditional marriage, don't stop gay people from getting married. Stop straight people from getting divorced."

He began his campaign in the summer and believes that with the ensuing media attention, he could secure the 700,000 signatures needed to get the issue on the ballot next year.

He has already filed his petition with the secretary of state.

When a reporter questioned whether the campaign was a joke, Marcotte replied: "If you're saying what I'm doing is ridiculous, then you're also saying Proposition 8 is ridiculous.

"I have more faith in the California voters. To not vote [for a ban on divorce] would be a little hypocritical."

Leafs GM Brian Burke Supports Son During Coming Out Process

2009-11-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

The son of former pro hockey player and current Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has come out publicly as gay--and Burke has come out just as publicly in support of his son.

Buccigross intersperses the narration, which details the family drama of Brendan coming out to his father, with comments from Brendan Burke, who is quoted as remarking, "I had a million good reasons to love and admire Brendan. This news didn’t alter any of them.

"I would prefer Brendan hadn’t decided to discuss this issue in this very public manner," the elder Burke continues. "There will be a great deal of reaction, and I fear a large portion will be negative. But this takes guts, and I admire Brendan greatly, and happily march arm in arm with him on this.

"There are gay men in professional hockey," observes Brian Burke. "We would be fools to think otherwise. And it’s sad that they feel the need to conceal this. I understand why they do so, however.

"I wish this burden would fall on someone else’s shoulders, not Brendan’s," the young man’s father adds. "Pioneers are often misunderstood and mistrusted. But since he wishes to blaze this trail, I stand beside him with an axe! I simply could not be more proud of Brendan than I am, and I love him as much as I admire him."

The elder Burke has expressed the hope that "the day comes, and soon, when this is not a story," but for some players, coaches, and pundits that day is already here. The younger Burke works as student manager for the Miami Redhawks; when he came out to the team, he found nothing but support from the players and from coach Enrico Blasi, who was quoted as saying, "As far as Miami is concerned, we are about the person. I believe we would be accepting and honestly not even think twice about it.

"I think having Brendan as part of our program has been a blessing," Blasi added. "We are much more aware of what you say and how we say it. I am guilty as anyone. We need to be reminded that respect is not a label, but something you earn by the way you live your life."

Commenting on the story, and on Buccigross’ column, a Nov. 24 posting at sports blog Out of Left Field embraced the younger Burke’s experience as more typical now that in years past. "What sort of got buried is that the Miami Redhawks, a college hockey team full of 18- to 22-year-old jocks, accepted Brendan Burke as he is," the posting read. "Perhaps the sports world is more forward-thinking than behind-the-curve sportswriters would have you believe.

"That’s the real story, far as this high-tech redneck is concerned," the blog posting continues. "Ask yourself if you can see that happening with a major junior franchise team. Perhaps it has already. We don’t know, since all the sports columnists who are now compelled to write, ’There are gays in sport, gays in hockey, gays in society. I know of many who have served in front offices and scouting capacities. They shouldn’t have to hide, now or ever,’ have seldom if ever bothered to write that column on a day when it was not convenient or current."

The blog went on to note, "True, you might not have read that 10, 15, 20 years ago in a daily newspaper, so it does represent progress to a limited extent. Don’t miss the point. You should resist putting people in tinier and tinier boxes where if they believe in A (fighting in hockey = good), then they must believe B (gay people = not good).... You should never assume a singularity to anyone’s personality, even though we’re all guilty of it sometimes."

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF TOURISM ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION

2009-11-25T12:49:00.000-08:00

Wow, $15,000 and a trip for two. Get out your crayons and get to work kiddies. You only have until the end of the year to submit your creations.

The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism is inviting graphic designers to create a new tourism logo in an international design competition to celebrate the remarkable increase in the number of global visitors to the holiday hotspot.

“With nearly five million visitors from around the world visiting the Dominican Republic each year, we are thrilled to give young and emerging designers the opportunity to showcase their skills in a fun and creative way,” said Magaly Toribio, the DR Ministry of Tourism’s Vice Minister of International Promotion. “The new design will help us visually represent the Dominican Republic’s natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture to travellers worldwide, and will appear on all Dominican Republic tourism promotional materials.”

The winner of the competition will receive a seven-night vacation for two to the Dominican Republic and a cash prize of US$15,000.

A premier destination for Canadians, the DR is renowned for its tropical beauty and striking coastlines, diverse accommodations and activities, championship designer golf courses, captivating cultural events, and more than 500 years of rich history, art and architecture. Nearly 25 per cent of the DR has been protected as national parks and nature preserves, making it the most bio-diverse country in the Caribbean.

Deadline for entry in the logo design competition is December 30, 2009. For full details on how to enter, including terms, conditions and prizes, please visit: http://www.concursologosectur.com/idiomas/ingles.htm

For more information on the Dominican Republic, please visit: www.godominicanrepublic.com.

About Dominican Republic:

The Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Rich in history, the DR has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavours to more than 800,000 Canadian visitors each year. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, the DR boasts 25 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature, and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people. The DR features some of the world’s best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism’s official web site at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or call 1-888-494-5050 for more information.

Sexy Smells

2009-11-25T12:35:00.001-08:00

When Professor Joel Levine's team genetically tweaked fruit flies so that they didn't produce certain pheromones, they triggered a sexual tsunami in their University of Toronto Mississauga laboratory. In fact, they produced bugs so irresistible that normal male fruit flies attempted to mate with pheromone-free males and even females from a different species -- generally a no-no in the fruit fly dating scene.

The study, published in the Oct. 15 issue of Nature, points to a link between sex, species recognition and a specific chemical mechanism and is part of Levine's larger research into the genetic basis of social behaviour.

"This is important not only from the point of view of understanding social dynamics but it's also fundamental biology because these pheromones provide recognition cues that facilitate reproductive behaviour," said Levine, an assistant professor of biology. "Lacking these chemical signals eliminated barriers to mating. It turned out that males of other species were attracted to females who didn't have these signals, so that seemed to eliminate the species barrier."

In this study, they focused on recognition -- how individual Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) know what their species is and what their sex is. While previous studies had suggested that pheromones played an important role, Levine's team decided to genetically eliminate a certain class of these chemicals, called cuticular hydrocarbon pheromones, to determine their particular effect.

The researchers found that female flies bred without the hydrocarbons were melanogaster Marilyn Monroes to normal males. But the effect didn't stop there -- males lacking the hydrocarbons were also sexually irresistible. In fact, females lacking the hydrocarbons were so sexy that males of other Drosophila species courted them.

When the researchers treated females bred without the hydrocarbons with a female aphrodisiac, it restored the barrier preventing sex between species, suggesting that a single compound can provide species identity. "That means the same chemical signals and genes are underlying not only social behaviour in groups, like courtship and mating, but also behaviour between species."

Levine stressed that while pheromones are part of the human mating dance, the cues for attraction are far more complex in our species.

"Although I am no expert on human pheromones, there is evidence that men and women may discriminate odours from the same sex or other sexes differently, and there's even some evidence that how an individual discriminates those odours may reflect their gender preference," he said. "We may rely more on the visual system and we may have a more complex way of assessing other individuals and classifying them and determining how we're going to relate to them than a fly does.

"But what we're looking at is a spectrum across biology of a tendency to understand how others relate to ourselves. It's clearly an issue that humans are caught up in -- it's in our art, like Madame Butterfly, and it's in our newspapers, in terms of sports issues like the recent controversy about the sexual identify of the South African runner Caster Semenya."

The study was funded by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Canada Research Chair grants awarded to Levine.

Gay Teens Murdered and Remembered

2009-11-24T09:29:00.000-08:00

Killing anyone is unacceptable. Taking a young life is horrendous. Murder as a hate crime should bring the maximum legal sentencing.

Thousands of people in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Oakland, Calif., and other cities around the country attended memorials, vigils and other events held over the weekend to pay tribute to slain gay teenagers Jorge Steven López Mercado of Puerto Rico and Jason Mattison, Jr., of Baltimore.

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito, openly gay City Councilmember-elect Danny Dromm, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation president Jarrett Barrios and fashion designer Malan Breton were among the hundreds who attended a vigil on the Christopher Street Pier in Manhattan’s West Village last night. Mark-Viverito reiterated her call for Puerto Rican authorities to bring hate crimes charges against the man who has repeatedly confessed to López’s death. And she joined Quinn and others who blasted Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño for not denouncing the teen’s gruesome murder.

"Silence condones the hate that continues to breed in our community," Mark-Viverito said.

Carlos Velez of the New York City Commission on Human Rights spoke on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s behalf.

"All of us condemn the disgusting and shameful murder of Jorge Steven López Mercado," he said.

Barrios further paid tribute to López in both English and Spanish.

"Today we remember a 19-year-old young man; a beautiful young man," he said (as translated from Spanish.)

Juan A. Martínez Matos reportedly confessed to local investigators he killed López before he decapitated him, dismembered and partially burned his body near Caguas earlier this month. Dante Parish has reportedly confessed he raped and repeatedly stabbed Jason Mattison, Jr., 15, to death before he stuffed him into a closet inside an East Baltimore home on Nov. 10.

Activists who organized many of the vigils across the country sought to memorialize both murdered teenagers, but those who attended the New York memorial seemed largely focused on López’s death.

"That was like my son being killed," PFLAG member Carmen Robello told EDGE as she pointed her out her openly gay son is roughly the same age López was when he died and she lived on Puerto Rico for five years. "It bothered me. It could have been my son."

Luna Legacy added the gruesome nature of López’s death compelled him and his friends to attend the vigil.

"I was shocked when I heard about it," he said. "This young beautiful boy killed in such a horrific way was shocking."

Stephanie Jones ended the New York vigil by reading aloud a statement from López’s mother, Miriam Mercado.

"When my son told me he was gay, I told him, ’Now, I love you more," Mercado stated. "I want to tell the world that hatred is not born with human beings, it is a seed that is planted by adults and is fostered creating a climate of intolerance and violence. We must change our ways and understand that anyone... could have been my son. And I want everybody to know that Jorge Steven was a very much loved son."

She further spoke in a video posted to YouTube yesterday.

"Love will conquer hate; this is what I want to say to the wold," Mercado said (as translated from Spanish.) "Steven was a human being. He was my son. He was a brother."

11 Year Old Kills Himself After Being Called Gay

2009-11-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

This is most disturbing knowing that someone as young as 11 could be so affected by name calling and bullying by their peers. These slanderous and discriminatory remarks are always hurtful and potentially fateful.

Massachusetts lawmakers are mulling a bill that would put teeth into a law on the books since 1993 that addresses bullying in public schools. LGBT activists are pleased, but they remain concerned over the lack of transgender-specific protections.

Proposals to strengthen the statute come partially as a result of the suicide of an 11-year-old boy last April after classmates bullied and harassed him because they thought he was gay. They called him "faggot," and said he acted like a girl and made fun of his clothes.

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, a junior at New Leadership Charter School in Springfield, hanged himself with an electrical cord in his bedroom. He left a note to his family that said he loved them and gave his Pokémon cards to a six-year-old brother.

His mother, Sirdeaner Walker, was among those who testified the Joint Committee on Education on Nov. 17 to support House Bill 483, the most comprehensive of 11 bills before Beacon Hill lawmakers.

"What could make a child his age despair so much that he would take his own life? That question haunts me today,’’ she told committee members. "Those kids called him those names because they knew they were the most hurtful things they could say to him, and they hit their mark.’’

Sponsored by state Rep. John Rogers [D-Norfolk,] HB 483 would require schools to report all incidents of bullying and abuse to the state. Massachusetts enacted a law 16 years ago that prohibits bullying and harassment in schools based on sexual orientation, but it doesn’t include a mandatory reporting mechanism.

Activists credit Kevin Jennings, who founded the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network in Boston in 1990, for helping make the 1993 law a reality. He left GLSEN in Nov. 2008 and now heads the

U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

EDGE interviewed Eliza Byard, his successor as GLSEN executive director, by phone at her New York office. She said she feels as good as HB 483 is, the bill does not go far enough because it omits gender identity.

"The other issue is that the bill as currently written would not have necessarily helped specifically in Carl’s case," she explained. "Anti-discrimination measures refer specifically to the identity of the target. We do not know what Carl might have thought of his sexual orientation and unfortunately will never know."

Whether Walker-Hoover was gay or not is beside the point, Byard emphasized. She further stressed someone subjected to anti-LGBT bullying should not have to prove their sexual orientation or gender identity to get the protection they need. And Byard further addressed two concerns bill opponents continue to raise-it will inhibit free speech and create new criminal statutes.

She pointed out the First Amendment does not protect slurs such as "faggot," a term bullies frequently used against LGBT students. And Byard added she believes education, not criminalization, is the way to address the problem.

"These are problems that involve two people in need of help-the target and the bully," she explained. "Students who bully have the need to express power over other students. They need help, too."

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley, who testified at the committee hearing, agreed.

"[HR 483] will not create new criminal statutes," he pointed out. "It will not infringe upon free speech. It will not create new grounds for a lawsuit. What it will do is provide a comprehensive and common-sense framework for school districts to create and enforce their anti-bullying policies."

Byard said GLSEN will let lawmakers know its concerns with the bill and is working closely with its Massachusetts chapter, the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth and other local organizations.

BAGLY Executive Director Grace Sterling Stowell also stressed her position on the importance of including gender identity in the bill language in a phone interview with EDGE.

"It’s often most visible and often makes those young people more of a target," she said.

Stowell further echoed Byard’s comments about perception.

"The issue is not who someone is," she emphasized. "It is how they are perceived to be."

BAGLY, she added, works more with LGBT youth in the community than in schools. And bullying is just as much a problem outside the classroom.

"Facebook, My Space, twittering, e-mails--there are many ways bullies can target LGBTs and people in general," Stowell said.

She added she feels bullying seriously affects its targets--they are unable to perform well in school and may become victims of assault or violence. And they may even harm or kill themselves as Walker-Hoover did.

Straight Civil Union Challenge

2009-11-24T09:02:00.000-08:00

An interesting twist on the whole same-sex marriage debate. Seems the queer population in the UK have settled into the civil union arrangements, and now the straights are wanting in on it as well. Another nail in the coffin for marriage?

A straight couple who tried to apply for a civil partnership this morning have said they are willing to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle, both 25, arrived at Islington Town Hall in London this morning to register their intention to have a civil partnership.

As they had anticipated, they were given a letter of refusal.

Head of democratic services John Lynch wrote: "I do not wish to comment on your views on marriage but would point out that part one of the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 states that a civil partnership is a relationship between two people of the same sex and therefore we would not be able to take notice of your proposed civil partnership."

Speaking outside the building, the couple said: "Today we have been refused access to a legal institution because of our sexuality. We are saddened and disappointed.

"In a democratic state, all institutions should be open to all people.

"We are going to take legal advice and take it to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary."

It is thought that the ban may breach the European Convention of Human Rights with regard to articles eight, 12 and 14. These refer to a right to privacy, marriage and freedom from discrimination.

Doyle told PinkNews.co.uk: "It's hard because we can be seen as a straight couple wanting to colonise civil partnerships, in a way. So we were expecting some kind of negativity from the gay community. But we haven't had any.

"The fact is that no gay people are really campaigning for equal marriage. I mean, we're coming in as a straight couple campaigning for straight couples' rights. We can't really campaign on behalf of the gay community. But by implication, we hope that marriage will be opened up both ways."

She added: "I remember talking to gay colleagues and them saying 'but we like civil partnerships, it's just for us', and I think that's fine but you should have the choice. Whether a lot of gay couples want marriage or straight couples want civil partnerships, that's beside the point. The fact is you should have the choice in a democratic society."

Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell, who is supporting the couple, said: "Tom and Katherine's application is supported by myself and OutRage!. We have long campaigned against homophobic discrimination but we are equally opposed to discrimination against heterosexual couples. The law should be equal for everyone.

"I think a legal appeal's going to be quite difficult because the government will argue that they have the option of a civil marriage. That's true, but for Tom and Katherine and myself the issue is discrimination. Quite clearly, a heterosexual couple cannot have a civil partnership just as a homosexual couple cannot have marriage. Two wrongs do not make a right and we want equality in law for everyone."

Ars Audet - Art, Music, Fashion, Design, and Décor

2009-11-04T22:31:00.000-08:00

The first Ars Audet happens Friday November 5, 2009 at the beautiful Berkeley Church. Translated into English from its Latin origin, Ars Audet means Art Dares, and brings together various elements of art that will certainly create reason to gawk and vogue.

Organizer James Brandon from Plan it Productions says, “This is the first Ars Audet, but I have worked in many other events in the past. I wanted to create an annual charity event that sort of had all the elements of other events that I thought worked, and I enjoyed doing. The response from the artistic community has been amazing and I am really happy with our line up for the event.”

It certainly is an eclectic stellar line up of musicians, actors, composers, visual artists, authors, comedians and more from within the local artistic community. The evening is hosted by Lily Cheng who will not only MC, but do a live performance as well. She says, “I support Ars Audet and ACT because of their contribution to helping those living with AIDS continue to live their lives to the fullest.” Her past includes hosting radio and television shows, and singing to hundreds of inmates doing hard time. Currently she’s working on a new album, hosting a show at Bite TV, and hosting a monthly gathering called the Toronto Song Crib for singer/songwriters to workshop new material.

Other performers include Sara-Jean Villa, an adventurous, sexy and edgy dominant voice who has regularly been likened to a potential opera singer. She’s an expressionistic performer, singer, and songwriter who also performed the lead role in Snow White across Ontario. Sixteen year old Amanda Belardinelli cites her inspirations as everything from Mozart to metal, and she proves herself with the endearing cover of the 1980’s Tears for Fears hit Mad World.

Award-winning novelist, filmmaker and composer Jeffrey Round performs four of his compositions with soprano Lilac Caña. Round’s new book, The Honey Locust, just hit the shelves this month and is his second release this year, after his latest Bradford Fairfax mystery novel, Death in Key West. Caña has sung in the cathedrals of Spain, Portugal, France and Italy, including the Vatican in Rome. She also performed as soloist for Pope John Paul II during World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. Through her company Lilac Sounds she has recorded five CD albums, and produced multi-media concert events.

Opera singer Craig Ashton has performed leading roles in eminent productions by The Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Opera in Concert, Toronto Operetta Theatre, The Banff Festival, Edmonton Opera, and Vancouver Opera. Comedian Carolyn Barnett cracks things up with a live performance. She’s got a great resume with writing gigs for television (This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Air Farce, Chilly Beach, The NHL Awards), and has had two plays produced by CBC Radio. She has been a contributor to Eye Weekly, NOW, Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, National Post, and has also just completed her first novel.

Toronto rocker trio Stuck on Planet Earth strut out power pop bliss, and are ready to roll with tunes from their recently released EP, Plus Minus. Things keep going late with the dance after-party, starting at 11pm and featuring the house sounds of DJ Slyce. This Iraqi born, American raised, Canadian resident spins regularly in the top clubs of Toronto, and is set to drop his very first original single in 2010.

This event takes place within the stunning confines of The Berkeley Church, located at 315 Queen St East. The building was originally built in 1817 and is one of the most unique places in the city to hold a party.

I’m not certain of performance times, but doors are at 7PM, and I’d suggest getting there soon after if you want to catch the full extravaganza. Ticket prices range from $40.00 for all performances, art preview, artist reception, and the after-party, to just $5.00 for the after-party only, which starts at 11pm. This is a licensed event and proceeds go to the AIDS Committee of Toronto.

Find out more juicy details and ticket information at – www.arsaudet.com

Lily Cheng - www.lilyc.com, www.sonicbids.com/lilyc
Sara-Jean Villa - http://www.sarahjeanvilla.com/
Amanda Belardinelli - http://www.myspace.com/amandabelardinelli
Jeffrey Round - www.jeffreyround.com
Lilac Cana - www.lilacsounds.com
Carolyn Bennett - http://www.greatnorthtalent.com/combennett.htm
Stuck on Planet Earth - www.myspace.com/soperock
DJ Slyce - http://www.myspace.com/dj.slyce

Jamaican Gay Eradication Day - WTF?

2009-11-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

This is definitely a sad state of affairs for Jamaica. If they don't want their own citizens living there, then how could they welcome tourists? It's simply uneducated bigotry that must be addressed at higher levels. Stop tourism, impose trade sanctions, speak to sensible Jamaicans, and take a stance. This must be stopped!

A Jamaican town where a "Gay Eradication Day" had been proclaimed expelled all gay and lesbian residents on Oct. 30.

An article that same day appeared at Digital Journal.com, which reported that the people of East Kingston’s McGregor Gully had given gays there two weeks to get out--with Oct. 30 being the deadline. Residents declared that any gays still in the town after the deadline would "suffer the consequences," the article said.

Hiompohobia is deeply rooted in Jamiacan culture, and is relfectedbothin the countruy’s music and its religious traditions, which are both Rastafarian and evangelical Christian. Anti-gay attacks have been widely reported in recent years; anti-gay mobs have attacked and murdered gays, going so far as to break into private homes to carry out acts of anti-gay violence.

The justification given by residents of McGregor Gully echoed the rationales cited by anti-gay groups in the United States. Residents claimed that they were acting in defense of their families, the article said, as well as to protect the reputation of their community.

Anti-gay claims in McGregor Gully also echoed American anti-gay accusations of public sex committed by gays. Locals claimed that lesbians would congregate at a specific spot to "kiss, hug, and even touch each other," the article said, but anger at the lesbians spilled over onto gay men as well.

The article reported that the residents swore to ensure that their town was "gay free," and that they were willing to take "extreme measures" to accomplish their goal. Such "extreme measures" have, in past instances, included kicking, beating, and machete attacks.

Critics of Jamaican homophobia say that government officials, including the police, do not offer gays there any protection, often merely watching as mobs attack gays or else participating in beatings and other abuses themselves. American gay Christian group Metropolitan Community Churches has sought to intervene in anti-gay violence in Jamaica, though with little success. American LGBT eqwuality groupos have also encouraged tourism boycotts of the island nation, as well as protesting a recent American tour of "murder music" dancehall star Buju Banton, whose song "Boom Bye Bye" describes shooting gays in the head and then burning their bodies.

CANADIAN FILM CENTRE LAUNCHES NORTH-SOUTH MARKETPLACE TO SUPPORT CANADIAN TALENT

2009-11-03T08:05:00.000-08:00

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) announced the creation of the CFC North-South Marketplace to support, foster and build cross-border relationships for Canadian talent that will enhance a vibrant motion picture industry in Canada.

The CFC North-South Marketplace, supported by the Copyright Collective of Canada, will cultivate north-south relationships for the CFC's community of creative talent, its alumni and industry. The marketplace’s goals are to broker creative and business exchanges and relationships between Canadian talent and industry professionals in the United States. The program will also provide incentives for Canadian artists to capitalize on their marketplace experiences by bringing home and sharing their expertise and success in the entertainment community and stimulating creativity and innovation in the production industry in Canada.

“The entertainment business is going through tumultuous change: New technology, new business models, and new audience behaviour. The 21st century realities force us to take a hard look at development, production, creation and distribution processes across all media,” said Slawko Klymkiw, Executive Director, CFC. “It is precisely this need - the need to assess the ways in which we marry an evolving business environment with our dynamic CFC talent base - that has inspired the North-South Marketplace.”

This ground-breaking program will offer Canadian talent the opportunity to access the U.S. marketplace through a number of initiatives, such as networking opportunities, project matchmaking and development assistance. The program will be guided by an advisory board of highly respected Canadian and American production and studio executives, who will lend their expertise to ensure these projects and ideas reach the largest audience possible while addressing the needs of the changing market. The board will monitor the demands of the marketplace on a regular basis and advance the progress of projects developed by the CFC's talent group.

As part of the CFC North-South Marketplace, an online contest called The Reel Challenge: Make Your Own Movie will launch in early December at www.thereelchallenge.ca. This competition will ask Canadian talent to submit a film spot that addresses the importance of content protection in a compelling way from a creator’s perspective. The 1st place winner will receive a $10,000 prize; 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $2,500.

“Contemporary artists face unprecedented opportunities, yet, at the same time, enormous challenges with respect to controlling the distribution, use and reproduction of their works,” said Klymkiw. “The Reel Challenge will be an excellent opportunity for Canadian creators to take ownership of their creativity and promote their work.”

About CFC

CFC is Canada’s largest institution for advanced training in film, television and new media. A charitable not-for-profit organization, CFC is committed to promoting and investing in Canada’s diverse talent; providing exhibition, financial, and distribution opportunities for top creative content leaders from coast to coast. CFC makes a significant cultural and economic contribution to Canada by launching the country’s most creative ideas and voices in film, television and new media to the world.

For more information please visit: cfccreates.com

Rendezvous With Madness Film Festival (Toronto) - Nov 5 to 14

2009-11-03T07:30:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favourite film festivals in Toronto. I've been attending for 15 years and never once have I been disappointed. It's most definitely worth attending and supporting this amazing endeavour. I'm going to really miss the theatre at CAMH, but looking forward to seeing the new digs over at 651 Dufferin Street. Enjoy!

About the festival

MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION are fundamental parts of our human experience and they have always been difficult to present and discuss in the public arena. Fear and stigma routinely make accurate representations and presentations next to impossible.

The vehicle through which mental illness and addiction are most often presented publicly is mainstream film. Through these films the public can, in most instances, sit back and watch from a safe distance. Audiences are secure in the belief that they are watching the experiences of others and remain divorced from the realities of society.

Film can also enable new and established artists to visually explore ideas and express stories of mental illness and addiction in ways that are nearly impossible in other artistic media. The technical freedom of film allows for these artists to challenge perceptions of reality and to express the truth of mental illness and addiction.

RWM explores these cinematic representations and hosts panel discussions after each screening. The films are the art, the discussion gives them perspective.

Opening Night - Thursday November 5th
Celebrate the premiere of the 17th Annual Rendezvous With Madness Film Festival. The classical theme of Canadian premiere Clara is accompanied by performances from pianist Yuval Fichman and continued with an evening of intimate conversation between him and Dr. David Goldbloom, senior medical advisor, education and public affairs, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Afterwards, everyone is invited to view the inSANITY installation; a hot topic of conversation featured at this year’s Nuit Blanche, and enjoy music provided by one of Workman Arts’ own musicians, Faeghan. This event is the first of many planned at Workman Arts’ new home, 651 Dufferin St.

Fichman will perform the last two etudes of Schumann’s piano landmark, Symphonic Etudes, in addition to the famous Traumerei from Scenes from Childhood to celebrate the festival opening. He has performed as a soloist with most of the major orchestras in Canada and the United States, and travelled internationally as a guest soloist with the Montreal and Vancouver symphonies. Fichman has also performed for several movie soundtracks including Don McKeller’s Last Night, Francois Girard’s 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould and Larry Weinstein’s Beethoven’s Hair.

Helma Sanders-Brahms, director of Clara, is the most critically acclaimed and highly awarded female voice of New German Cinema. She presents a tale of passion, betrayal and redemption in her astounding biopic of Clara Schumann. A brilliant musician and composer in her own right, Clara is content to stay in the background and support the delicate genius of her husband Robert Schumann; that is until the younger and equally brilliant Johannes Brahms enters their lives as his protégé.

Faeghan, a member of Workman Arts for more than four years, is a multi-disciplinary artist who enjoys music, visual arts, expressive movement and performance. She is happy to return to her first love – the piano – in celebration of 2009’s Rendezvous With Madness Film Festival.

Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival (RWM) presents award-winning comedian Mike MacDonald on Saturday November 7, 2009 at 8 p.m. at Workman Hall, 651 Dufferin St. Tickets are priced at $10 for show only and $15 for the Crazy Comedy package for show plus “Laugh a Little” screening at 6 p.m., and are available by calling 416.583.4339 ext.7. MacDonald will be replacing “Big Daddy” Tazz and all tickets will be honoured.

Comedian Mike MacDonald, considered one of the top funny men in all of Canada, understands the power of laughter. In addition to his successful and well-received live performances all over North America, Mike has appeared on numerous TV shows including Late Night with David Letterman, The Arsenio Hall Show, Just For Laughs, Showtime’s Comedy Club All-Star Show, A&E’s An Evening at the Improv and Comedy Central’s The A List.

Mike has hosted both the Gemini Awards and the Just For Laughs 10th Anniversary Special for CBC, and starred in the sitcom Mosquito Lake. He has also starred in three well-received and critically acclaimed specials for CBC and for Showtime. His first special, Mike MacDonald: On Target was the first one-hour prime-time special by a stand-up comic in the history of the CBC. His next special, My House! My Rules!!, was nominated for two Gemini Awards and two Ace Awards. His third Showtime special, Happy as I can be, achieved a number-one rating when it aired on prime time on CBC.

“God’s favourite humour is irony, and what a more perfect mental health issue for a Canadian than bi-polar,” says MacDonald of his performance at this year’s festival.

“What is the relationship between madness and comedy?”, “Why do comedians venerate the mentally ill?”, “Is laughter an effective therapy?”, “What about the high suicide rate among comics?”, “If comedians were ‘well-adjusted’ would they be funny?”, “How does comedy in pop culture appropriate the language of madness and does it trivialize it?”

In a conversation between Mark Breslin, founder of Yuk Yuk’s and Dr. Joel Jeffries, these topics and more will be examined in an intimate and exciting discussion, followed by a performance by Mike MacDonald. Afterwards, all three will join to continue the discussion on health and humour, welcoming questions and comments from the audience.

About the Presenter

Workman Arts (WA) is a not-for-profit multidisciplinary arts organization that supports individuals who receive mental health and addictions services in their artistic pursuits and promotes a greater understanding of mental health and addiction issues through various artistic media.

Since its incorporation in 1991, WA has produced more than 38 original new Canadian plays, 16 Rendezvous with Madness Film Festivals, 9 Annual Being Scene Art Exhibitions, 4 multi-disciplinary festivals and 1 international festival. WA has formed partnerships with well over 100 organizations within Toronto, across the country and around the world.

The company has a current membership base of approximately 250 member artists to whom it offers year round arts training opportunities. WA members have presented their work in a variety of venues such as the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Second City, the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario Suites, Harbourfront Centre, the Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg, and the Pumphouse Theatre in Muenster, Germany.

Workman Arts / Rendezvous with Madness
651 Dufferin St.
Toronto, On, Canada
M6K 2B2

Phone: (416) 583-4339
Box Office: (416) 583-4606
Web: www.rendezvouswithmadness.com

The Turn of The Screw (Toronto) - Ends Nov 7

2009-11-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

This season DVxT creates a site-specific performance of Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw, a hauntingly beautiful glimpse into the ultimate source of evil: the human mind.

A young governess journeys to an isolated English country estate to care for two recently orphaned children. Once there, she begins to see and hear strange things. She learns that her predecessor Miss Jessel died under curious circumstances. Gradually, she becomes convinced that Miss Jessel and her mysteriously departed lover Quint are somehow using the children to continue their relationship from beyond the grave.

What begins as a ghost story quickly becomes a tale of psychological panic; the governess struggles, and ultimately fails, to protect the children from the corruption that only she can sense. In The Turn of the Screw, video projections, sound and music meet candlelight, fusing historic and contemporary detail and creating a ghostly new reality.

Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen Street West (at Osgoode Subway Station).
http://www.dvxt.com/productions.htm

Ars Audet - ACT Fundraiser (Toronto) - Nov 6, 2009

2009-11-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

Ars Audet is set to premiere as Toronto’s most talked about Art event! All profits from this exciting event will be donated to ACT (AIDS Committee of Toronto). Ars Audet will feature some of Toronto’s most creative and unique artists.
Witness some of the most unique art processes, experience the most daring live art, hear some of the best musical performances, bid on some of the most eclectic art, and meet the artists in person.
The event will bring together many aspects of art that will sure to stimulate all your senses. Be a part of this exciting new annual art event and contribute to a worthwhile cause!
Ars Audet Schedule of Events - East (http://www.berkeleyevents.com)

Date: Friday November 6, 2009
Place: Berkeley Church 315 Queen Street
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm Artist's Reception: Art Preview, Hors D'œuvres, and Live Music.
9:00pm – 10:00pm Live Stage Show.
10:00pm – 11:00pm Silent Auction and Art Displays/Demonstrations.
11:00pm – 2:00am After party with a special performance by "Stuck on Planet Earth" followed by Toronto’s best DJ’s and dancing. Alcohol will be served.

Tickets:
$40.00 - Includes: Artist's Reception, silent auction, live stage show, live art exhibits and after party. Doors open at 7:00pm.
$30.00 - Includes: Silent auction, live stage show, live art exhibits and after party. Doors open at 8:30pm.
$5.00 - Includes: After party (tickets available at the door at 11:00pm, (limited tickets available until room capacity is filled).

More Info: www.arsaudet.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=James+Brandon&init=quick#/group.php?gid=179281766263&ref=ts

Boys Under the Big Top (Toronto) - Nov 8 and 15

2009-11-02T07:38:00.000-08:00

Boylesque T.O. is inviting all thrill seekers to their wild and wacky world of wonderment and whimsy.

Proudly presenting:

BOYS UNDER THE BIG TOP
a male burlesque and circus extravaganza!

TWO Spectacular Sunday Shows: November 8 and 15
http://bigtopboys.eventbrite.com

Hosted by Balonia Wry and Ginger Darling and featuring sensational circus celebrities including
1. Sexy Strongmen
2. Awe mazing Acrobats
3. Mystifying magic men and charmers
4. Wild diva beasts including gorillas, lions, snakes and horses
and much more...

With special guest stars:

Tanya Cheex (Skin Tight Outta Sight), Keith Cole, Mysterion the Mind Reader, PyRomeo, Charlotte Weber (Les Coquettes), The Mohyl (Les Coquettes) and others...

Revival Nightclub – 783 College Street West

Get $20 advance tickets now at http://bigtopboys.eventbrite.com
$25 at the door.

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=196514979045&ref=nf

Sex City Radio - Fundraising Show - November 7, 2009

2009-11-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

Sex City has been airing on University of Toronto’s CIUT 89.5 FM radio for over 15 years. This is definitely one of the longest running programs on community radio, and we thank our listeners and guests very much for your contributions and support during this period.

Twice a year, we as hosts are asked to assist with fundraising efforts to keep the station, and specifically our program, on the air for years to follow. This means that we must bring in some financial support that helps offset the various daily operating costs. As with all hosts, we work on a volunteer basis because we enjoy what we are doing. As a past guest, dedicated listener, public relations firm, promoter, artist, sex-worker, or like-minded organization we trust that you can appreciate the efforts and commitment that every one of us puts into making this happen week after week.

We are requesting that you consider being a sponsor for Sex City by contributing a minimum of $25.00. Please see the Online Pledge Form - http://ciut.fm/pledge.php
that indicates the levels of Membership Benefits available. Make sure to mark “Sex City” in the “Show I Wish To Support” area, then fully complete this form and submit it online, mail it back to the address indicated at the top, or fax to the station at 416 946 7004.

Finally, it would be great to have you call in to the station during our show this Saturday between 5pm and 6pm. We can be reached at 416 946 7000 or 416 946 7800. It would be great to hear from you if you have any upcoming events, prize giveaways, or other items of interest for our listeners, and also to have you support our efforts and encourage others to do so as well. Let us know if you have something you want us to mention on air.

We thank you in advance for your continued support and we’d appreciate if you could make your friends and colleagues aware of our fundraising drive as well. Together we will meet our goal and continue to bring you sexy radio for years to come.

The Sex City Crew
Saturdays from 5pm to 6pm
Listen at 89.5 FM in Toronto or www.ciut.fm worldwide.

Everything to do with Sex Show Celebrates 10th Anniversary (Toronto)

2009-11-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Canada’s Hottest Adult and Consumer Show set for November 20-22 at the Direct Energy Centre

It’s that time of year again. Starting November 20th, The Direct Energy Centre will transform into a hotbed for romance, sensuality, sexuality and self improvement. This year marks the 10th Anniversary for the popular adult show, Everything to do with Sex Show

“We are very proud of how we have grown into one of the largest consumer romance shows in the world,” said Show Manager, Mikey Singer. “This year’s show will feature a wide-variety of informative seminars and the latest products guaranteed to stimulate the body and soul. In keeping with previous years, we will also showcase some of the best entertainment seen at any consumer show in Canada.”

Dozens of seminars and exhibitions will be on the spotlight during the three-day show and will answer everything you ever wanted to know about sex from how to find the perfect toy, to tips and techniques to improve and enhance your time in between the sheets.

Entertainment highlights on the main stage will include Northern Men Exposure, Aradia Fitness Pole Dance Competition, Coquette Lingerie Fashion Show, Belly Dancing, and various Cirque disciplines.

The Priape Dungeon Area, a demonstration area manned by volunteer members of the fetish community, will welcome back Dominatrix Viktoria who will entertain and educate those in attendance with a risqué presentation. Those in attendance will learn about what’s new and exciting in the BDSM communities.

Singer went on to say, “The show is geared to enhance the personal lives of couples and singles. We encourage everyone looking to learn about things that they may have been afraid to ask in the past to come out and join us for our tenth year of everything to do with sex.”

Renowned sex educators from across Canada and the U.S. will be on hand to answer all your questions on a variety of subjects from the taboo to the scientific. Topics like Pleasurable Anal Sex, Strap On Fun and

For additional information on the entertainment line-up and stage schedule, visit:
http://toronto.everythingtodowithsex.com/attendees/entertainment.asp

The Everything To Do With Sex Show runs from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto. Show hours are 3 p.m. to midnight on November 20th, 11 a.m. to midnight on November 21st and 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. November 22nd.

Additional information on The Everything To Do With Sex Show is available at: www.everythingtodowithsex.com.

The Everything To Do With Sex Show Fact Sheet

Overview

The tenth annual Everything To Do With Sex Show, Canada’s sexiest consumer show launches Friday, November 20 through Sunday, November 22. Over 150 exhibitors will cover the sprawling 119,000 square foot Direct Energy Centre. Admittance to Toronto’s most interactive consumer show is restricted to 19 and over.

This Everything To Do With Sex Show draws in curious adults who want to explore their sexuality. The show covers every topic from romantic dinners to sexual bondage. Best of all, the show presents sex, and everything to do with it, in a fun, non-threatening environment that appeals to couples and singles alike It’s your chance to be entertained, inspired and educated whether you’re 19 or 99.

Show highlights include:

Main Stage show’s providing unmatched entertainment, Aradia Fitness Pole Dance Competition, Coquette Lingerie Fashion Shows, Game Show Erotica, and a Cirque show that will blow your mind.
Sex is in the spotlight with almost 30 seminars taking place throughout the three-day period. For a complete listing of seminars, visit: http://toronto.everythingtodowithsex.com/attendees/seminars.asp (linked to last year)
Live body casting with Peter Labelle. Your chance to turn your body into a work of art.
Body Art by renowned body painter Ark Angel
Come see stunning models showcase exhibitor merchandise during the Fashion Show Exotica.

The Everything To Do With Sex Show Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is The Everything to do with Sex show designed for?

Everyone! Well, almost everyone. The Everything To Do With Sex Show offers visitors a wide-angle lens into the world of products and services designed to improve your sex life. The show’s assortment of displays, seminars and products is so vast, offering something for singles or couples of every sexual orientation, fetish, age or gender. Naturally, admittance is restricted to those over the age of 19.

2. I’m not into bondage or kinky sex. What will the show offer for me?

That’s a question we often get. The Everything To Do With Sex Show is a fun, relaxed and non-threatening event, which allows visitors the opportunity to explore all aspects of sex, including the more mild and modest. More tame exhibitions, displays and demos include seminars on Two Simple Ways to Keep the Spark Alive and Answers to Questions You Couldn’t Ask Your Mother.

Exhibitors offer the newest products and hottest trends in their industries. Products range from the hottest new sex toys, lingerie and leather fashions and sensual fragrances, to fine foods, beauty products (hair extensions, tanning), health spa, and many other products and services to make your lives more enjoyable.

3. My partner is more modest than I am. How do I get them to the show?

Tell your partner that the overriding goal of the show is to put visitors at ease by offering exhibitions and seminars in a way that is fun, relaxed and non-threatening. Whatever your area of interest, we’ll have it for you at The Everything To Do With Sex Show.

4. Is this a good place to meet people?

The event is a great place to meet like-minded people in a very open environment. With all that’s going on at the show it’s hard not to have a good time and be in great spirits. So come with an opened mind, a ready smile, and enjoy the special atmosphere one can only find at the show.

5. How many exhibitors does the festival attract?

The Everything To Do With Sex Show attracted 150 exhibitors last year.

6. How many visitors attended the show?

In 2008, more than people 50,000 attended the three-day event.

Educators:
Midori

Midori Acclaimed writer and lecturer on a wide range of sexual topics, she has a degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and vast indispensable experience as a pioneering San Francisco sex educator. She is known for her humanistic, humorous and warm classes that help people to spice their sex lives and encourage self discovery and personal growth. Author of bestselling books "The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage" and "Wild Side Sex". Born in Japan and raised in a feminist intellectual Tokyo household, she served in the US Army while earning her psychology degree from University of California, Berkeley. Numerous years as a sex educator with San Francisco Sex Information combined with her curiosity and explorations into the sex-positivity movement to complete the dynamic blend of experiences that give her breadth and depth of knowledge in human erotic expression. Visit her site: www.fhp-inc.com or learn more about her projects at www.PlanetMidori.com

Cory Silverberg
Cory Silverberg is an AASECT certified sexuality educator, author, and a founding member of Come As You Are. He is also the Sexuality Guide for About.com, a New York Times website with over 32 million visitors each month. Cory was the supervising researcher for SexTV and for Talk Sex with Sue Johanson.

Reese Jones
Reese runs Come As You Are's educational outreach programs, conducting workshops throughout the city and across Ontario on positive sexuality, sexual assertiveness, the art of flirting, and sex toys.

Carlyle Jansen: Good For Her
Founder of Good For Her and has been conducting workshops for over ten years to thousands of people. She has made several television appearances including Discovery Channel’s “Sex Files”, The Life Networks “Health on the Line”, as well as several documentaries. She is also a proud mother of two.

Carrie Gray: Aslan Leather
Owner of Aslan Leather is passionate about bringing the joys of strap on sex and kinky fun to all. For over decade Carrie has led numerous seminars and play shops on strap on sex, communications desire, flogging and all that is kink. With warm guidance and humour Carrie encourages participants to explore their desires and rediscover the meaning of play

Dr. Laura Zilney
Dr. Laura Zilney is a clinical sexologist in private practice in Brampton. She is the author of numerous articles and books, has served as an expert for a variety of companies and organizations, and is the resident sex expert for 102.1 The Edge. Dr. Zilney also has a full line of therapeutic sexual aids for sale on her website www.drsex.ca.

Sheri Winston
Sheri Winston CNM, RN, BSN, LMT is a celebrated sexuality educator, nurse, midwife, massage therapist, author, artist and sexual empowerment catalyst with a lively, entertaining style. Founder of the www.intimateartscenter.com in New York State. She will be book signing her new book at the Good For Her booth.

Seminars:

Sexy Questions, Sexy Answers from a Sexpert
Have a question about your sexual journey? Interested to hear a Sexpert opinion on any topic of sexuality you want to know about with Midori, sex educator will be on hand for an interactive discussion.

10 Ways to Enhance Your Sex Life

Looking for a different way to improve or expand your sexual experiences and pleasure? If you've ever picked up a self-help book or video and found it lacking, this seminar is for you. Certified sex educator and author Cory Silverberg shares the 10 most common mistakes people make when trying to improve their sex lives and gives you tips and techniques that actually work to enhance your sex life.

The Best Sex of Your Life

The most common suggestion sex educators and therapists offer to change or improve your sex life might surprise you. It's masturbation. Masturbation, or self-love, or solo sex, is the cornerstone to sexual health and pleasure, and if you think you know everything there is to know about it, think again. Reese Jones offers tips and techniques and teaches you how to bring your solo sex know-how into the bedroom with a partner.

GSpots and PSpots: Double Your Pleasure

Get ready to hit the spot. The G Spot and Prostate have long been a mystery to many, but they don't have to be. Good For Her founder Carlyle Jansen provides a step by step guide to finding your erotic buttons. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned G or P-spotter, you’re guaranteed to learn something new to delight you and your partner.

Sizzling Sex Toys

Find the perfect toy for yourself or your partner. Discover what to look for in a toy and how to choose one that’s safe for you and your body. See what’s new and sizzling in the world of sex toys for men, women and couples!

Sensational Oral Sex

Oral sex can be better, hotter and more satisfying that you ever dreamed with these tips and techniques. Covering both cunnilingus and giving head, even seasoned oral sex enthusiasts are guaranteed to learn something new. Be the lover they rave about to their friends!

Kink 101

Do you want to get spanked? Or maybe you want to dominate your partner and have them serve you. Think you’d like integrate more fantasy play into your sex life? Then Kink 101 is for you! Join Carrie Gray of Aslan Leather for a tour into the world of erotic sensation play. Pick up tips on basic kinky toys and how to use them. Discover how to safely translate sexual desires from fantasy to reality by exploring role-playing, bondage play, spanking and communicating consent.

Strap on Fun

Ever thought of using a strap on, looking for a new way to express your sexuality and a new kind of orgasm? The Strap on Fun may be for you? Strap on dildo harnesses add an exciting new twist to your sex play, they can also open the door to new fantasies, increase communication between sex partners and dramatically prolong penetrative sex. Come out for tips on positions, role play, toys, harnesses and how to get off while giving your partner the ultimate strap on sex experience.

Pleasurable Anal Sex

Interested in expanding your sexual repertoire, but a little afraid? Anal sex can be a great addition to a couple's sex play and can be very pleasurable. Come join Dr. Sex and learn the ins and outs of pain free anal sex.

Masturbating with Your Lover
Not a dirty little secret anymore! Masturbation is good for you - and your relationship. Come and learn some techniques for incorporating masturbation into your sexual relationships and let the fun begin.

Women’s Secret Anatomy of Arousal

You probably don’t know what you’re missing because the whole truth of women’s genital anatomy is incomplete and misunderstood, even by professionals! Discover the largely unknown Female Erectile Network, the interconnected structures responsible for arousal and orgasm. This invaluable information will transform your sex life -- because knowing what’s really there will enable you to reach your full pleasure potential (or help your partner do so). Empowered sexuality, easier arousal, orgasmic abundance, female ejaculation – all this and more awaits you!

Obama Approves More LGBT Legislations

2009-10-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

Two days after signing the historic Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act--the first federal law to extend protections to GLBT Americans--President Barack Obama addressed two other issues seen by gay Americans as crucial to the cause of equality.

The president signed into law legislation that re-authorizes the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. The law provides funds for another four years to programs that provide medicine and care for needy people living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 500,000 individuals rely on the program to maintain their treatment regimens.

President Obama also announced the end of a long-standing ban on HIV-positive visitors to the United States. The ban had been in place since the 1980s, when the means of transmission of the virus was poorly understood; in 1993, however, long after it was known that HIV cannot be casually transmitted, Congress acted to reaffirm the ban. In 2008, President George W. Bush signed legislation to rescind the ban, but nonetheless, still-extant U.S. Department of Health & Human Services regulations prevented HIV-positive travelers from entering the country without first obtaining difficult-to-secure visas. As a result, sixty Canadian would-be participants in the North American Housing and HIV/AIDS Research Summit in Washington, D.C. last June were denied permission to enter the United States.

GLBT equality lobbying organization the Human Rights Campaign issued a press release praising Obama. Said Joe Solmonese, the head of the group, "We thank the President for taking these tremendous steps today on behalf of people with HIV and AIDS. Today’s actions signal both to Americans and to the world that the United States is a nation that will care for those most in need at home and will no longer close the door to HIV-positive people abroad. Today, President Obama has extended one of our nation’s proudest responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and finally erased on our of most shameful."

The office of Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and co-authored the bill singed by then-president Bush, also issued a statement.

Said Senator Kerry, "Today a discriminatory travel and immigration ban has gone the way of the dinosaur and we’re glad it’s finally extinct.... We’ve now removed one more hurdle in our fight against AIDS, and it’s long overdue for people living with HIV who battle against stigma and bigotry day in and day out."

The statement also quoted Immigration Equality executive director Rachel B. Tiven, who said, "People living with HIV will no longer be pointlessly barred from this country.... Every day, Immigration Equality hears from individuals and families who have been separated because of the ban, with no benefit to the public health. Now, those families can be reunited, and the United States can put its mouth where its money is: ending the stigma that perpetuates HIV transmission, supporting science, and welcoming those who seek to build a life in this country."

In 2008, the Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation Kerry co-authored with former Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) to lift the statutory travel and immigration ban as part of the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) reauthorization.

Obama Approves Transgendered Protection Laws

2009-10-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) issued the following press release:

President Obama has just signed into law the very first protections for transgender people in U.S. history: the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

“This is a powerful day as the United States government, for the first time, stands up and declares that violence against transgender people is wrong and will not be tolerated in our country,” stated Mara Keisling, Executive Director of NCTE. “Every day transgender people live with the reality and the threat of personal violence, simply because of who they are. This must end and it must end now. The new law provides for some vital first steps in preventing these terrible crimes as well as addressing them when they occur. At NCTE, we are dedicating this day to all those who have been victims of hate-motivated violence as well as recommitting ourselves to ending the epidemic of hate that continues to damage our communities and our country.”

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which adds sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability to existing law, will have a number of positive impacts for transgender people:

It will help educate law enforcement about the frequent hate violence against transgender people and the need to prevent and appropriately address it.
It will help provide federal expertise and resources when they are needed to overcome a lack of resources or the willful inaction on the part of local and/or state law enforcement.
It will help educate the public that violence against anyone, including transgender people, is unacceptable and illegal.

Most importantly, this law marks a turning point for the federal government, by including positive protections for transgender people and taking seriously the need to address the discrimination that we face.

NCTE invites you to light a candle tonight; we have held so many vigils for victims of violence. Tonight, let us light a candle as a sign of our commitment to ending violence and in honor of this new day in transgender history. Let us have a Vigil for Victory.

What Percentage of Americans Are Willing Pay More For Green Travel?

2009-10-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

U.S. travelers are more familiar with sustainable travel terminology than they were two years ago but remain unwilling to pay more for eco-friendly travel options according to the July travelhorizons ™, the quarterly consumer survey provided by the U.S. Travel Association and Ypartnership, the Orlando-based marketing and research firm headed up by Peter Yesawich. Items from the July report include the following.

• While he percentage of American travelers who consider themselves 'environmentally conscious' has not changed since 2007 (78 percent) there has been a large increase in the percentage who report familiarity with the term “carbon footprint” (from 12 percent in July 2007 to 54 percent in July 2009).
• Awareness of the term “green travel” also improved from 9 percent in July 2007 to 22 percent in July 2009.
• Despite these increases, only 9 percent of consumers say they are willing to pay more to use travel service suppliers that offer eco-friendly options for travelers, and only three percent have purchased a carbon offset when booking travel.
• While consumers believe travel service suppliers should be good stewards of their environment, over half (54 percent) also believe that individuals themselves have the greatest responsibility for preserving and protecting the environment.
• The majority (51 percent) of consumers will continue to patronize “green” travel service suppliers regardless of an economic downturn. In fact, nearly half (48 percent) of travelers say that continuing to support environmentally-responsible travel service suppliers is a necessity, even in an economic downturn.

Canada Replacing UK as Number One International Market for Orlando

2009-10-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

The Orlando/Orange County CVB is suggesting that Canada is about to take the place of the UK as the area’s top international tourism market. The latest data released by the bureau indicates that visitation from the UK is expected to drop 16.4 percent this year, from 959,000 travelers in 2008 to 801,000 in 2009. Even though the number of visitors from Canada, which had been the Orlando region's second-largest international market, is expected to decline, it won’t be as much as the drop-off from the UK. The CVB projects that the number of Canadian tourists will slide 8.5 percent, from 940,000 to 860,000 in 2009. It also expects the difference between UK and Canadian visitors to grow in 2010, when it says that travel from the UK will fall another 2.9 percent while travel from Canada will increase 5.4 percent.

True Love Lies

2009-10-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

I caught the new Brad Fraser production this past weekend at the Factory Theatre (Toronto), and must say it's another to chalk up to great writing. The two-hour production (including intermission) is a look into the complicated world of relationships, straight/gay/asexual, marital, work, and intergenerational - all within the context of a loving family environment. The question surrounding all this is, how is love defined?

Fraser is known for his often cynical interpretations of life, including his past successes Angels in America, Poor Super Man, and Unidentified Human Remains. In this current work he takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotional highs and lows. He shows the complications that exist in all relationships, whether with your life or business partner, your sister or father, your boss or your therapist. The storyline continuously goes from one-liner hilarity to thought provoking seriousness within minutes.

The fast paced acting is carried out by five characters with a minimalist stage setting. Rapid costume changes shift the focus from one location to another, simple yet effective. Fraser also directs this somewhat autobiographical romp through relationship reflections. There's bound to be one character or situation that each and every audience member can either relate to, or see in someone they know. I'd suggest another two hours to debrief and discuss your reflections with whomever you attend, even if that's just yourself!

After a succesful run in the UK, the Canadian premiere is the opening show for the Factory Theatre's 40th anniversary 2009/2010 season. Catch it before it ends on November 1st. www.factorytheatre.ca

Debbie Does Hedwig

2009-10-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went to check out the double bill of Debbie Does Dallas & Hedwig and the Angry Inch, at The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street (Toronto). This may not seem like anything exciting to those who have seen either of these classic films, but catching them as live theatre productions puts a completely different perspective on them. This is the inaugural production from Ghost Light Projects, founded by theatre veterans Randie Parliament and T.J. Tasker.

For those that aren't aware or these works, DDD is an infamous 1970's soft-core porn film that starred Bambi Woods, about a small town girl with big time ass-pirations to be a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys. The plot focuses on the sexual shenanigans of a group of good teenaged girlfriends who find that the easiest way to make money is to make their bodies available to horny men. I was sort of surprised to see so many men in the audience that appeared to be there solo or with a few buddies, but not really. The sexual innuendos and simulated copulation kept them gawking for the full 90 minutes.

If you stay for the double bill, you have to leave the theatre and cum back for Hedwig about 20 minutes later. This is a perfect opportunity to grab a drink at the bar, or some snacks at the cafe out front. As well, if you check out one of the performances before November 1st, you'll have an opportunity to view the photographic works of Hamish Kippen on display in the lobby area. It's an excellent post perspective on an aspiring individual. www.hamishkippen.com

Back for Hedwig, a slightly different crowd was in attendance that I wasn't quite able to categorize. There were the Hedwig fans, the theatre crowd, and the inquisitive. This is basically a one person performance, acted meticulously by Seth Drabinsky. His performance of transsexual vixen Hedwig is an exhausting role to play, but he seemed to carry it off in perfect stride. The backing 'cast' included L.A. Lopes as the sidekick of Hedwig, along with Angry Inch - the backing band of Hedwig - represented by local music outfit the Vicious Guns (www.myspace.com/theviciousguns). The John Cameron Mitchell (Shortbus) story quickly became a cult classic, telling the tale of a boy from Berlin that led a tortured existence of entrapment. He was finally able to come out to the world in a big way, and this is her story.

Congrats to Ghost Light Projects on a great entrance. Both shows are done back to back Tuesday to Saturday nights until November 7th, Debbie at 7pm and Hedwig at 9pm. Tickets can be purchased individually or as a double bill. Go to www.ghostlightprojects.com for more information. Keep your eyes and ears open for more fun stuff happening at The Great Hall, which seems to have finally opened its doors to an eclectic array of programming. It's an amazing multi-level venue perfect for showcasing the artistic side of Toronto. www.thegreathall.ca

Rock and Roll

2009-10-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Stage Company are known for their eclectic programming with their productions, combining both contemporary and thought provoking performances throughout the season. I recently caught Tom Stoppard's Rock and Roll, a three hour performance of political-isms and musical memories. Based on the internal struggles and beliefs of individuals living two different lives - location, generations, beliefs, views and understandings.

Beginning in Czechoslovakia and Cambridge (England) in 1968, the story develops as a professor/student relationship fosters into a friendship of respect and differences. Max has his set views on Communism, Marxism and Fascism, from a scholar point of view, but Jan provides a first hand perspective as a youth who lived within these walls of isms. The Plastic People of the Universe are the middle ground between the two, and the background to this developing dissection of cultures - a Czech band with political stances that were not highly regarded within the former Soviet regime.

What I found compelling was the extent to which both music and politics played vital roles in this production, both receiving equal share of the content, yet overlapping in perfect harmony. Rock and Roll has always been perceived as counter-culture, and one line in the play states, "In alternative culture, success is always failure". True enough.

This play has a personal aspect to Stoppard, as like Jan, he was born in Czechoslovakia to Jewish parents in the 1930's, yet he chose not to return home, unlike Jan. Perhaps this is a chance to view life from a different perspective, as is "what if". Stoppard has won five previous Genie Awards, and Rock and Roll debuts here in Toronto after successful runs in London and New York.

The play is three hours long with one intermission. Tickets are available from $20, and the play runs until October 24th. www.canstage.com

The 501

2008-12-23T12:55:00.000-08:00

The wind is brisk, but tolerable. My Russian compatriot, my dog and I wait alongside Lakeshore Boulevard for the next streetcar. I arrived at the stop first and was later joined by Mr. X. Obviously this is not his real name, but likely one he would like being referred to in his line of business.

The 501 is the longest spanning streetcar route in the city of Toronto. For under $3.00 you can ride from the far western reaches of the Long Branch Loop to the Neville Park Loop at the opposite end of the city, a distance of over 20 kilometres. As with most times I jump on The 501, I am usually only on it to get from point A to point B. Tonight I was heading home after a night of drinking with friends.

The snow is blowing in that wind tunnel sort of way that feels like a slap in the face. I don’t see a streetcar in site, so I bunker down in the trusty TTC shelter with my eager canine companion. Then, as I lift my head up I am greeted by Mr. X, who begins to start a conversation with me. I am in the far reaches of Etobicoke, late in the evening, and feeling somewhat uneasy hanging around this dark and desolate street corner. Everything is closed, either for the night or permanently, except for the packed Tim Horton’s across the street.
“Do you know when the next streetcar is coming?” he asks. “Likely about five minutes”, I quickly answer, not having any idea. “I have to be to Dufferin and St. Clair within an hour”, he tells me. More questions ensue - “Do you think I can make it? What is the best way to get there?” I think a bit longer on these ones, and give him my personal opinion.

“I can’t be late, not even one minute, you know what I mean?” he continues on. I remain silent this time. He has this very Siberian look about him, dressed in a long winter coat, oversized winter boots, and a fur hat. I imagine he is quite warm beneath these layers as he proceeds to provide me with a glimpse into his life, as so often happens on The 501.

To ride from one end of the city to the other would take approximately an hour and a half to two hours, depending on traffic and weather. The route traverses through the suburban blue collar neighbourhood of Etobicoke, passing by the recently developed condo projects along the Western Beaches, via the trendy West Queen West strip, to the core of downtown, onto Leslieville, and finally reaches the Eastern Beaches (or The Beach as the locals like to refer to it as).

This line also runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is the main artery for many commuters to get to and from work and play. Mr. X tells me he’d rather be 30 minutes early than even just one minute late. He knows “the others” can jump in on his deal if he doesn’t come through in time. “I’ve been in this country four years now and it’s difficult to live here. Everything is so expensive. You have to find ways to make money to survive”, he lauds.
His darting eyes and jittery movements don’t help to make me feel at ease, as I step back a bit when he turns to look for the streetcar. The one-sided conversation continues. I learn he lives in the High Park area, and was just doing “business” in this area, before heading off to his next “client”. He keeps referring to his line of work, without actually mentioning what he does, and without me ever asking. We’ve sealed the deal of trust between us, and I become more relaxed. He then branches off into how Canadian politics differ from Russian views, and how he pays $2,500 in insurance premiums for his $500 car, Again, I didn’t ask why he wasn’t driving his $500 car now instead of waiting in the cold winds for a streetcar. The political aspects did prompt some feedback and input from my end.

It was now as if we were good friends sharing a pint in a local pub, debating the pros and cons of democratic and communist regimes. I had the feeling if we waited much longer, there would be a discussion on hockey that soon ensued. Soon after, our ride arrives and we both board in silence. I grab the first available seat and Mr. X slides in a few seats behind me. I look around and see that the streetcar is fairly full, as it suddenly occurs to me that it is 11pm on a Saturday night heading toward downtown.

As always, there’s an assortment of “characters” travelling about on their way to somewhere. At this time of night it typically is more of the club crowd, however I notice some looking like they are on their way to or from work, others with luggage, a few shoppers packed down with bags, and others staring blankly out the windows. There are several different languages being spoken, random cell phone chatter, distorted beats from various MP3 players, and at least one conversation about getting laid.

A group of teens get on at a one of the stops, obviously partying, and one of them is so comatose that she neglects to pay her fare when blankly walking by the driver. The driver quietly mentions it to one of her friends, who pays on her behalf. The smartly dressed couple politely whisper to each other in a language I don’t recognize, while the more rowdy partiers at the back speak loud enough for all to ear whatever they have to say. An elderly lady with a cane joins us, and is offered up a seat reserved for the elderly and disabled.

My stop approaches and I stand to pull the stop cord. As always, I leave with a curious inquisition as to how the rest of the evening will pan out for these various individuals I briefly had an opportunity to travel with. I nod in silence to Mr. X, sitting on his own, counting the minutes until his arrival. I step down and hope he made a good connection at Dufferin, and beat the clock for his “appointment”.

Dark Lullaby/Four Way Flashers/Bacardi B-Live - November 3rd

2007-11-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

It certainly was a fun-fueled and eventful evening. Much more than I expected. The evening began low-key enough by attending a great off-off Queen Street theatre production, a quick stop at a new gallery space that opened beside Grace's Place, known for their cheap pints and cheap dames...and then the party revved up!

Dark Lullaby

Parkdale gentrification is well underway and it’s only a matter of time before all the crack houses become condos. Lullaby is a fact based play by 5-year Parkdale resident Thelon Oeming that looks at the class divisions and quiet conflicts of this neighbourhood in transition. The changes he witnessed sparked him to ask to what extent can one avoid moral involvement with strangers, and at what cost?

Superb acting and great use of the space. A job well done. Catch it soon.

Runs until November 18, 2007 at Simone Interiors (1690 Queen Street West), a site-specific venue in the heart of Parkdale. Tuesday - Saturday 8pm, Sunday 6pm. Tickets: Tuesday through Saturday 8pm $15; Sunday 6pm matinee PWYC. Tickets available in store or at the door, to reserve please call 416-460-9306. For more information see www.darkhorsetheatre.ca

Four Way Flashers

Got a last minute call from my friend Sara to attend the CD launch party for one of the bands she's currently managing, Four Way Flashers (www.fourwayflashers.com). It was being held at the warehouse location of Amsterdam Brewery, 21 Bathurst St, with special guests : The Flints, Jerry Leger & The Situation, and The Labour Of. This is a great special event venue, if you are cool with a beer bar...which I am.

Caught a good part of the set and picked up some of their merch that was available, and designed by another friend of mine, Brownwyn. Her clear and cleverly designed buttons, CD fold, tee's and website will likely appeal to trendier crowd than what the 4WF attract. With the simple 4WF logo, we could be looking at the new CK1. I grabbed a couple of buttons with the backwards printed logo on them. Brownwyn admitted they were a error when printing, but I couldn't wait to look at them in the mirror where they look fine to me. Beside looking cool they are a great mind-fuck and likely a conversation starter.

Barcardi B Live

Finally made it to the free corporate sponsored DJ event at Toronto School of Circus Arts, 425 Wellington St. West. Hadn't been to this venue before. Another great space that would be perfect for large scale DJ or concert events. Warehouse feel to it as you walk down the long dark corridor making your way to the cavernous main room. This is a great special event venue, if you are cool with a rum bar...which I am. Wasn't too keen on the tunes being dropped as I was expecting a more electro infused mix, not sloppy top 40 80's hits that are most common at weddings. The crowd seemed a tad confused as well, but seemed to be having fun regardless.

Featuring James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) DIPLO and Nasty Nav. Get your ‘slice of the funky life’ with the always irreverent Murphy, as he takes to the decks in Toronto. Diplo closes the deal for B-LIVE Toronto with the final set of electro-pop infused sound. Nasty Nav has been rocking Toronto dance floors for over 10 years.One thing of which Diplo (aka Diplodocus, Wes Diplo, and Wes Gully) cannot be accused is being afraid to experiment with new music. With his mash-up mixtapes, he found and created a sound where his musical tastes -- '80s pop, electronica, Dirty South hip-hop, and his major influence, Miami bass music -- intersect.

Back to Bemelman's Reunion - November 2, 2007

2007-11-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

Fundraiser for Casey House (www.caseyhouse.com)

Revisit yesteryear, visit old friends, celebrate in a funfilled evening and recreation of Bemelman's Bar and Grill, at the original Bemelman's location.

Hosted by Posy Chisholm Feick with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Brian Masters DJs. 9pm. Indiva, 83 Bloor St. W. $25 for general admission after 9pm with cash bar - $150 VIP includes drinks and muchies.

How much fun was this event? Wow, it was a reunion for so many and an introduction for several others. A mixed queer/straight and in between crowd of mostly 40 + attended this upscale soiree. Being amongst some of the coolest movers and shakers in Toronto was quite the experience and one of the better events I've attended in a while. I rubbed my jeans and Ramones tee against thousand dollar outfits, and was asked by one youngish 60 something to "do it again".

June Callwood was remembered as the founder of Casey House, named after her son her passed away from AIDS several years back. Bemelman's was one of the first "mixed" clientelle establishments in Toronto where everyone was welcome regardless of status or sexuality. It closed in the early 90's after many years in business, and is not an upscale women's clothing retailer called Indiva. Walking in and seeing the gigantic pillars created a flashback of sorts, only things were much brighter with the white walls and lighting. Most everyone seemed to have a great time reuniting and I heard rumours that over $50,000 was raised for Casey House. So well done Sinclair and Posey.

Spotted: Proud FM Hosts, Ken Kostick and Mary Jo Eustace, Diva Sherry Sullivan,
Best Outfit: The Beautiful Dame with the Red Lobster on her shoulder

Halloween Horrors - Oct 31, 2007

2007-11-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

Out and about and looking for Spooks....

The Box Salon

An evening of word, film, dance, and music by Semi Chellas, Sharon Harris, Steve Kado, Jessica Rose, Jessica Runge, Moheb Soliman, Troy Emery Twigg, and others. Rivoli (332 Queen Street West, Back Room). $5 minimum. 416-929-1906.

Back in 1998 Louise Bak founded and now hosts what has come to be known as Toronto’s most eclectic “reading” series. It’s hard to believe that almost ten years later it’s still going strong.

The Box has lived at both the Labyrinth Lounge and Bar Italia, but has been a staple at the Rivoli since 2003, making use of the vast back room and its abundant facilities for optimal entertainment.
Even before The Box, Bak - a poet, performance artist and sexual activist – had a gift for throwing “literary events” that were obvious entertainment experiments, seeking to expand the definition of what we all deemed literary. Back in 2004 eye magazine stated that she sought “to promote a polyamorous artistic scene,” a statement that is even more true today with her latest Box line-up. No stranger to the composition of literature herself, Bak is the author of emeighty (Letters), Gingko Kitchen and Tulpa (Coach House Books).

Halloween Whore Redux

Kelly and The Kelly Girls with Satan's Candy, On Bodies and Roxi Dlite
The El Mocambo, 464 Spadina Ave, $10, Doors at 8PM.

Back from their international tour the "Girls" rocked the fun filled whore-r house, but not until some great sets by the opening acts. Satan's Candy continues to win over fans with this being only the third live gig under their bras. Everyone join in and sing about how much you love Jagrmeister...then go get drunk with these lovely Cougars!

All bands can be found on www.myspace.com

Toronto International Art Fair - Oct 25 to 29, 2007

2007-11-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

By close of Art Toronto, Toronto’s 8th annual four day International Art fair, over 18,000 visitors had viewed the outstanding collection of art works presented by 100 participating international galleries. But visitors did more than just look at the fair. Total sales at Art Toronto 2007 were estimated at over 20 million dollars with a final piece selling for half a million dollars just seconds before the close of the fair. Even the Art Gallery of Ontario got in on the buying and announced the purchase of three major works for their growing contemporary collection. Works purchased by the AGO included Annie Pootoogook’s Composition from Feheley Fine Arts, Greg Girard’s House on Zixia lu at Monte Clark Gallery and Metropolis from Olga Korper artist Denyse Thomasos.

In its short 8 year history, the Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF) has established itself as the most important and anticipated contemporary art fair in Canada. This year’s fair showcased 100 fine art galleries representing 10 countries all underlined with an exceptional roster of intriguing and relevant cultural programming. The Fair’s growing importance was highlighted by increased participation of 27 new galleries.

New galleries participating in the younger Fresh Avant Garde section of the fair raved about the quality of visitors TIAF draws and the incredible exposure their galleries received by participating. “This fair has done more for the reputation of my artists than anything I could have ever done,” said first time TIAF exhibitor Jeffrey Boone of Jeffrey Boone Gallery in Vancouver. “The crowds have been completely affirming, I hit almost half my sales goals just on the opening in night and they just kept growing and growing.”

Long time loyal attendees like Gallerie de Bellefeuille from Montreal concurred. "This was our eighth year at the fair and as usual it was hugely successful for us. We were thrilled to see more American collectors this year and believe this is due to the quality of the work at the show and the outstanding organization of every detail of the fair itself.”

This positive note was set right from the start with the sold out Opening Night Benefit Gala for the AGO which brought together over 2,000 art enthusiasts to support the visual arts in Canada.

In addition to active buying and selling of contemporary art, the Fair’s cultural programs were abuzz with projects like Open Spaces where the innovative installation works of nine young artists offered an interactive art experiences challenging the boundaries of conventional art.

“TIAF is a crucial part of the Canadian art world, offering audiences an opportunity to engage with art from across Canada and around the world,” says David Moos, the AGO’s curator of Contemporary Art. “As culture becomes ever more globalized, events like this art fair provide an opportunity for audiences to see how robust Canadian art has become. TIAF has become a cross roads where collectors, galleries, artists, curators, galleries and a passionate public converge to engage with contemporary art.”

The action was not exclusive to the gallery floor. The well attended Power Talks, sponsored by the Power Plant gallery were a huge draw and greatly contributed to the Fair’s substantial ongoing dialogue on contemporary art and its escalating profile and role in society.

Art Toronto 2007 was an enormous success on every level, and the organizers extend their thanks for the continued and remarkable support and interest expressed by participants, attendees and exhibitors.

The 9th annual Toronto International Art Fair – Art Toronto 2008 will take place from October 2nd – October 6th 2008. For more information, visit www.tiafair.com
or email info@tiafair.com.

April 2007 - Scooter Commuter

2007-07-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

© April 2007 - Scooter Commuter By Bryen Dunn, Toronto, Info@bryendunn.com

Thinking of a different environmentally way to travel around the urban landscape? Do you find biking too risky, too dirty or too strenuous? Can’t afford to fill the gas tank on your vehicle these days? Perhaps it’s time to consider a scooter, one of the hottest emerging trends in these days of global warming. They are easy to maneuver within the city gridlock, you can travel great distances at minimal cost, and you look cool!

Founded in 1946, the Vespa brand has been recognized around the world as an icon of Italian design and style. With the 2007 launch of the LXV and GT60, Vespa continues to combine the elegance of classic design and vintage style with modern technical underpinnings.

The Vespa LXV was developed on the base of the 2005 Vespa LX series, which was conceived as a tribute to the 1960s—a decade that witnessed a social and cultural revolution marked by the emergence of youth, for whom the Vespa symbolized individual mobility and freedom.

Vespa’s GT60 is a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the world’s most famous scooter. Sophisticated materials and customized elements have resulted in a unique limited-edition product that will surely be a landmark in Vespa history. Only 999 bikes were produced worldwide -- the most limited edition Vespa ever manufactured --- and Canada was allocated 50 units. Each GT60 is individually numbered and comes with a gift pack with Vespa memorabilia celebrating the 60th anniversary. This vehicle evokes the romantic, timeless appeal of Vespa by re-interpreting some of the typical design and technical elements of vintage Vespas of the 1940s and 50s.

2007 also marks the launch of Piaggio’s three-wheeled scooter, the MP3, the first of its kind. The two front wheels of this innovative three-wheeler redefine the very concept of ride stability, providing an unprecedented riding experience. The funky design and greater stability will appeal to both men and women. The three-wheeler will be available at authorized Vespa dealers beginning April 2007.

Drivers require a mini-version of the full fledged motorcycle license. A short written test followed by a road test, and you’re on your way to having fun, saving money and helping us all breathe a little easier.

The Toronto-based Canadian Scooter Corp. is the exclusive importer and distributor of new Vespa and Piaggio motor scooters in Canada. For more information visit www.vespacanada.com

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March 2007 - Cinefranco Celebrates 10 Years

2007-07-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

© March 2007 - 10th annual Cinefranco Film Festival Review
By Bryen Dunn, Toronto, Info@bryendunn.com

The 10th annual Cinefranco Film Festival takes place in Toronto from March 23 to April 1 at the newly renovated Royal Cinema on College Street. The Festival is a celebration of French language cinema, and features 45 films from twelve different countries around the world.

French Canada contributes with the Opening Night film by Quebecois director Louis Bélanger’s newest Le Génie du crime, based on the play by George F Walker, followed by his earlier Post Mortem, a delicately sculpted love story with chilling plot twists. Roméo et Juliette from Quebecois director Yves Desgagnés is a contemporary twist on the romantic classic, and Patrick Hébert, a talented emerging Quebecois filmmaker debuts at Cinéfranco with Cercles vicieux.

Films from Lebanon (Dunia and Quand Maryam s’est devoilée) were selected for their strong female perspectives. From Morocco comes a film about hope and harmony, La Symphonie marocaine, and also Marock offers a surprising view of 90’s Casablanca youth.

France remains at the heart of Cinéfranco with its exciting line-up of rising talented filmmakers like Emmanuel Mouret (Changement d’adresse), grand auteurs Luc Besson (Angel-A) and Claude Chabrol (L’Ivresse du pouvoir), and celebrated filmmakers like Anne Fontaine (Nouvelle Chance) and Tony Gatlif (Transylvania). Paris is the star of many of Cinéfranco’s films including Luc Besson’s stunningly beautiful Closing Night film Angel – A and Fauteuils d’orchestre, which captures the atmosphere of an artists quarter in Paris while J’invente rien takes place in Menilmontant in the XXth arrondissement, the birthplace of Edith Piaf and a neighborhood with its own very specific Parisien accent and characteristics.

Cinéfranco pays special tribute to the “Great Lord of French cinema” Jean-Philippe Noiret, who passed away in 2006. Zazie dans le métro, the classic by François Truffaut was Noiret’s second film and Edy, a new classic by Stephen Guérin-Tillé co-starring François Berléand was one of Noiret’s last films.

To celebrate its 10th Anniversary, Cinéfranco is presenting a special program for youth, with five films specifically aimed at middle school and high school students that will screen each weekday at noon. “In 10 years Cinéfranco’s audience has increased more than ten fold”, said Executive Director Marcelle Lean. “From a modest beginning, Toronto audiences have embraced Cinéfranco, which has become a highly anticipated yearly event on Toronto’s vibrant cultural calendar.”

March 23 - April 1, Royal Cinema, 608 College Street, Tickets $3.00 to $10.00
Box Office – Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St W, 416-967-1528 www.cinefranco.ca

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March 2007 - CMW Indie Awards

2007-07-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

© March 2007 - CMW Indie Awards - By Bryen Dunn, Toronto, Info@bryendunn.com

What’s up with CMW? They are on the right track with over 500 bands playing twenty various venues in Toronto over a 3-day period. That’s the good part. Getting this many performers involved must be a logistical nightmare for the troops to put together. So, congrats to the “Group of Seven” who are on the payroll with CMW.

Last year, I gripped about a few issues that fell through the cracks. There was the fiasco at Social where many bands were left holding their drumsticks in the streets due to some mismanagement of venue selection. Then there was the most difficult website ever to navigate through. Well, the weekend is just beginning so there may be booking dramas yet to come, but let’s hope not.

The website looks the same as last year with just a different line up. It’s still difficult to navigate, and there’s not enough information provided for the general public to figure out where to go or who they want to see. Even trying to locate band information or a proper schedule is no where to be found. Once you find the dropdown for the band listing, there are the names and website references. It would be helpful to have a one-liner describing the genre of music (alternative, country, jazz, etc) so that you would know if you wanted to link to their site to find out more. Clicking into 500 band websites could be fun, but you’d likely miss the Festival by the time you got to the Z’s.

Also, putting a proper schedule searchable by band, venue, date, and other variables would make it more user-friendly. How about some song samples, contests, email sign up list, fan forums, and more interactive methods for people to connect with others online. The conferences and celebrity chats are great, for those that can get out of bed early enough to go sit in a stuffy hotel conference room, still hung over from the night before. Everyone realizes events can’t go on without sponsorships, but can we not just have them listed in a drop down similar to the bands who are what this event is suppose to be about anyway. Finally, do we really need pictures of a dozen suits and their bios? Again, band pix and bios would be much more needed and appreciated. Cut the corporate bullshit, and have some fun.

Last year I bashed the Indie Awards for not recognizing enough of the unsigned artists, which “indie” is supposedly meant to be. This year wasn’t much different with homegrown names such as MSTRKRFT, The Sadies, The Trews, Cadence Weapon and Tokyo Police Club hauling out the awards. The show itself is quite laughable, given it is now in its seventh year. The Docks has a great layout with a few different VIP sections set up throughout, but the sound techs really need to pay attention to what’s going on up on the stage. There were times when the lead vocals were being swallowed up by the amplified instruments. The use of monitors and speakers throughout is a great bonus.

Who decided Jully Black would be a good MC should be worried for their job right now. She seemed to have her own agenda for the evening, and that was to promote Jully Black. She fumbled and blundered throughout the performance, going off on tangents and lazily slouching over the podium. Then as Wolf Mother finished their performance, Ms. Black hauled her ass back on the stage to thank everyone for coming, blah blah blah. Then after a few shouts from the crowd reminding her The Stills were yet to headline, she slurs oh wait, the show isn’t over yet, come back. Regardless, her recovery was horrible, and an insult to everyone involved with the show, especially The Stills who had to come back after 75% of the crowd left. Black meandered off the stage asking the crowd to remember to check out www.jully ….yeah whatever - Black never to be back.

There was then a good 20 minute needless lull in time as we waited for The Stills to sound check, finish their drinks, or whatever other reason for the unnecessary delay. The music between was anything but indie and upbeat to keep the interest of the crowd. It was a combination of 70’s pop and Gnarls Barkley craziness. Hey CMW, get a DJ next year.

As one CMW associate told me, “Things are changing as we bring in the young blood.” It’s about time. Let’s see if things change for 2008.

Not to be entirely bitter, I say grab a wristband, get off your ass and see some of the best new music being produced in Canada and abroad. Get out as early as 8pm and stay out until as late as 4am, with a band an hour. Grab a pen and a program and start planning.
If you really need to, check the CMW website for details as well - www.cmw.net

Hot Picks

Thursday

Musebox Showcase @ Silver Dollar - with Autodrone

Canteen Knockout @ Global Village

Australia Showcase @ Tranzac - with The Gear

Friday

Public Enemy @ The Docks

Pop Levi @ Lee's Palace

Live Tour Artists @ Rivoli

Saturday

Denmark Spotlight @ Silver Dollar - with Vincent Van Go Go

Viletones and Hell Yeah Fuck Yeah @ Bovine

Paper Bag Records Showcase - Whippersnap Gallery - with Uncut, You Say Party.

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January 2007 - Jesus Camp

2007-07-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

© January 2007 - Jesus Camp Film Review - By Bryen Dunn, Toronto,
Info@bryendunn.com

Jesus Camp is one of those documentary pieces that make you shake your head in disbelief as you gain an in depth look into a world unbeknownst to many. It’s a left handed look at the right-winged indoctrination of children by the Evangelical Church. There’s a growing movement by Christian revivalists to capture the youth and train them on the teachings of the Lord, in hopes of recapturing the roots of religion in the United States. Right wing fundamentalists believe it’s time to stop the world destruction happening at the hands of their President, by promoting a positive Christian course of action. Bush is actually idolized by the preachers, thereby questioning the integrity of mixing religion and politics.

Concerned parents round up their children and send them off to Pastor Becky Fischer's Kids on Fire summer camp in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, where they are taught to become dedicated Christian soldiers in 'God's army'. These children are being taught the good of the Lord everyday, some even being home-schooled to ensure less chance of encountering the evil of the real world. They see the world through a different set of eyes, and several are leaders in their own right, some as young as 10 years old. From dancing to Christian metal music to handing out literature on the street, this ‘army’ is on the move.

It’s not so much a leftist view of the whole situation, but more of an awakening as to how some people feel our society has deteriorated severely over the past couple of decades. Whatever side you take, you must admit something needs fixing out there. As the Pastor remarks, “Other societies teach their children how to use guns at an early age, we are teaching our children about the good aspects of society as presented by God.” It’s a compelling and thought provoking film.

Mongrel Media releases Jesus Camp on DVD January 30th. Most chains will have the film available for rent and the SRP is $34.95. Special features include a Directors Commentary and an elaborate collection of deleted scenes. It is one of fifteen documentaries currently short listed for a 2007 Academy Award nomination.

Jesus Camp, 85 Minutes, USA 2006, Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady
Rating – 4 Stars

Jesus Camp, www.jesuscampthemovie.comMongrel Media, www.mongrelmedia.com

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November 2006 - FUCK Film Review

2007-07-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

© November 2006 - FUCK Review By Bryen Dunn, Toronto Info@bryendunn.com

Directed by Steve AndersonStarring: Everyone except/including your mother93 minutes. Opens December 1, 2006 (Limited Release)**1/2 stars out of fiveWTF?

As 2006 comes to a close, we once again push the liberal boundaries of American culture with the release of Fuck – “A film that dare not speak its name”.

Cameos are full on with Sam Donaldson, Alanis Morrisette, and the late Hunter S. Thompson praising the FUCK word, while Pat Boone does his dirty talk without the necessity of vulgar influences. He prefers to “Boone all night long.”FUCK explores how this oft-used word, still widely seen as obscene, somehow permeates every aspect of our culture - from Hollywood, to the schoolyard, to the Senate floor in Washington D.C., where it is at the very center of the ongoing debate on Free Speech.

It’s part historical, part pop-culture, part animation. It somehow permeates every aspect of our culture - from Hollywood, to the schoolyard, to the Senate floors, where it is at the very centre of the ongoing debate on Free Speech. Sex trade workers and talk-jocks also have their say, as porn king Ron Jeremy and loudmouth Howard Stern make a living FUCKing with societal values.

FUCK first appeared in print around 1475 and has been associated with many inaccuracies - FUCK – Fornicate Under the Command/Consent of the King – is just one of the many acronyms not validated with any truth. From 60’s social change movements to today’s hip hop culture, the film explores all avenues of use.George Carlin’s “Filthy Words” and “Seven Dirty Words” skits are pitted up against the Federal Communications Commission and the Parents Television Council to wage who will be the victor of the FUCK war.

The word FUCK is used 800+ times throughout, averaging 8.88 FUCK’s a minute.After all said and done, do you really give a FUCK?Opens in Toronto on Friday December 1st - Exclusively at the Bloor Cinema - 506 Bloor Street West.

Published on juicystuff.ca

November 2006 - Rendezvous With Madness Film Festival (Toronto)

2007-07-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

© November 2006 - Rendezvous With Madness Film Festival (Toronto)

By Bryen Dunn, Toronto Info@bryendunn.com

The Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival has been around since 1993, and I believe I’ve attended the last 10 years. It’s an excellent opportunity to see several feature length films, shorts and documentaries from around the world that can’t be seen anywhere else in the city. Each presentation touches on the truths and fallacies of mental illness and addictions. The other plus is seeing these gems in the beautiful Workman Theatre, discreetly hidden within the confines of the Queen Street Mental Health Centre.

The Film Festival is actually part of the Workman Arts, a project guided by the principle that the creative process is integral to the quest for personal and spiritual development. This year the Festival presents 80 films from 10 countries, many with post-screening panel discussions involve filmmakers, artists and people with professional and personal experience with mental illness and addiction.

2006 also brings some celebrity names to the forefront, including the November 9th opening gala presentation of Pretty Broken, Canadian chanteuse Chantal Kreviazuk’s first screenplay. In a powerful meditation on mental illness, Kreviazuk delivers a convincing monologue, bravely inhabiting the role of a woman living with a mood disorder.

On Saturday November 18th there is a Guy Maddin retrospective. This Winnepeg born filmmaker has been creating unusual pieces of work for over 20 years. Here’s a chance to catch most of his work all in one day, beginning with an early afternoon screening at MOCCA (952 Queen Street West), followed by late afternoon and evening closing gala presentations. The fun then continues back at MOCCA for the closing night party.

Be sure to check the schedule for show times as some films will only be shown once, whereas others will have repeat showings.

Tickets are only $8.00.Happening November 9th to 18th, with most screenings at the Workman Theatre, 1001 Queen Street West, 416 583 4606, http://www.rendezvouswithmadness.com/

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September 2006 - Virgin Festival (Toronto)

2007-07-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

© September 2006 - Virgin Festival (Toronto) By Bryen Dunn, Toronto Info@bryendunn.com

So the inaugural Canadian debut of this UK Fest has come and gone, but not without some newborn hiccups. The first disappointment came less than one week prior to the event, with the announcement that the most anticipated act on the bill, Massive Attack, would not be closing the Festival as they were not able to get their travel visas sorted in time.

This proved to be a big disappointment to many fans, but promoters did their best to make up for this unforeseen last minute glitch, and plopped in local favourites, Broken Social Scene. Not a very good position to fill, but I personally overheard several fans anticipating the BSS set, amid the masses that were heading to the ferry after The Raconteurs performance. It was quite entertaining catching this new “super-group”, featuring Jack White (Stripes) on vocals. Their rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s Bang, Bang was astounding to hear with the original vocals intact.

The Strokes offered a typical indie-New York-we’re so cool performance that seemed to please those who were there to catch this where-are-they-now combo.The second disappointment came unexpectedly, this time affecting first day headliners, the Flaming Lips. Seems the early morning rains delayed the start of performances earlier in the day, which resulted in an unbelievably shortened set by the Lips, further hampered by the 11PM city noise bylaws in effect.

Both the band and the fans were quite upset with this, especially after hanging around all day in anticipation. Despite the limited time, the crowd was treated to one of the most beautiful, bizarre concert experiences as lead man Wayne Coyne arrived on stage in a large bubble and proceeded to roll out atop the masses in the field, gently prodded along by thousands of loving hands. Balloons, confetti, aliens and Santa Clauses also created to this magical wonderment.

Gnarls Barkley and his band were good and all, but perhaps his lengthy set could have been shortened a tad in consideration of his fellow performers.Toronto Islands are a great location for an outdoor music festival, and having a main stage and side stage makes sense, but a closer proximity would have helped create a more intimate vibe – but then again that filler space between stages was sparkled by all those high end corporations that most everyone scurried by without a glance.

In keeping with the spirit of music, there was a DJ tent set up just outside the main stage area that offered an array of local and international DJ names to keep the beat pumping all day and all night - 'many artists collaborate -- one spirit released' goes the motto.

The tent action was presented as part of B-Live, as in Bacardi. Yet another alcohol inducer getting involved with the music industry, this time with an online internet/mobile phone site and event sponsorships.

This was their first big scale production in Toronto and hopefully not their last - http://www.bacardibliveradio.com/

Gripes: Why is it that Ontario still forces beer consumers to be caged in the farthest distance possible from the stage? Is this a form of punishment for drinking and supporting events financially? On a plus note, the transportation to and from the island went well.

Kudo’s to Virgin for raising funds for their charitable arm, Unite, focused on helping fight the Big 3 – Malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS – http://www.virginunite.org/

Statistics: The 2-day annual UK Festival averages 130,000 in attendance, while Toronto’s first attempt brought in around 50,000 – more than the UK’s first event.

As a first attempt, I’d give them one thumb up in hopes that experience will prove beneficial and make this an annual event to look forward to.

Concert Update: As previously promised by Emerge Entertainment, Massive Attack has been rescheduled for October 6th at the Carlu in Toronto. http://www.massiveattack.com/ - http://www.virginfestival.ca/ - http://www.emerge.ca/

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August 2006 - Time to Deliver - Toronto AIDS Conference

2007-07-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

© August 2006 - Toronto AIDS Conference By Bryen Dunn, Toronto Info@bryendunn.com

The streets of Toronto are abuzz this week with thousands of delegates and media types converging for the 16th annual International AIDS conference.

The slogan “Time to Deliver” is being used to bring forth the fact that this disease has now been with us for some 25 years, and still most levels of government in many of the advanced western nations are providing little assistance with the research for a cure.

Statistics are indicating that numbers are on a fast incline and hundreds of thousands are being affected every year. In fact, Governor General Michaëlle Jean was quoted at the opening ceremonies stating, “Last year more people died of AIDS than the total population in Toronto.” It was relevant statement to make, putting things in perspective to the average individual with not much understanding of the scope of the worldwide epidemic.

AIDS is finally being recognized as a disease not just associated with the gay men and drug user demons of the world. In fact, the highest increase of infections is now being seen in straight women and aboriginals.

Also in attendance at the star-studded opening ceremonies were various members of parliament, including David Miller and Dalton McGuinty. However, missing in action was our newly elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper. This did not go unnoticed by anyone in attendance, and in fact there was a very strong vocal bashing, and shouts of “Shame” could be heard throughout the Skydome (Rogers Centre).

There were some VIP’s from the United States that journeyed north of the border as well, including former President Bill Clinton, and mega-moneyman Bill Gates and wife, who recently donated half a billion dollars toward international research efforts.

The opening ceremony was followed by a contingent of musicians who gave up 10 minutes of their busy schedules to do a song or two for the visiting throngs and to the locals who bought their tickets through Ticketmaster, who again showed their greed by not waiving or donating the service fees to a worthy cause.

Performances by the Bare Naked Ladies, Our Lady Peace, Alicia Keys and more played to the enthusiastic crowd. Then again, if you’re a researcher or media member covering a subject as depressing as the AIDS epidemic, I’m certain there’s a need for a release outlet once in a while.

Other celebrity endorsements came by way of Actor/Activist Richard Gere who is tying his star power into various youth awareness campaigns around the world. Gere made mention of the effectiveness of both the “Stop Speed” Russian campaign and the “Wrap It Up” campaign in Africa, which have both been successful in educating youth about protection methods.

He stated, “AIDS is the true terrorist on the planet today.”The conference is jam-packed full of events, not only at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, but throughout the city.

The website http://www.aids2006.org/ is so full of information that it is basically a non-resource of information.

For program at a glance, visit http://www.aids2006.org/PAG/ProgrammeAtAGlance.aspx and for the more entertainment focused events, visit Global Village at http://globalvillage.aids2006.org/English/home.aspx.

The most important message to take away from this event is to educate yourself and others about AIDS and what it means to today’s society. Do your research.

Published on juicystuff.ca

August 2006 - Identity Crisis

2007-07-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

© August 2006 - Identity Crisis By Bryen Dunn, Toronto Info@bryendunn.com

Do you know who I am? I’m having an Identity Crisis.

This appeared to be the words emanating from the mouths of the many individuals partaking in the excitement of the newest board game to hit the scene. Rock It Promotions recently held a launch party at the Drake Hotel recently as a pre-launch to the public sale of this new fun and interactive game that can be played almost anywhere, even within a bar.

This new game has the makings of success as the one of the partners is also the co-inventor of the highly successful Balderdash. The slick white box has the resemblance of the new age of technology (think Apple Macintosh). The inners are also cool and sleek, and the directions are actually quite simple…and only one page.

The creators came up with the game by playing with friends during house parties.

The premise is quite simple and it all just fell together quite naturally. Surf on over to http://www.identitycrisisgame.com/ for more information and a chance to try it before you buy it.

The game is currently available in various outlets throughout North America.

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August 2006 - Queer Lounge at Tiff

2007-07-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

© August 2006 - Queer Lounge at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

The first ever Queer Lounge in Toronto arrives here on Sept 9th for 3 days and nights of gay glamour.

The main Lounge will be centralized in fashionable Yorkville—the heart of industry activities during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)—and will serve as "a hub of events" for queer and queer-friendly festival-goers. Many of Queer Lounge's events will happen at Church of the Redeemer, located at Avenue and Bloor.

Guests can obtain information about queer-themed Festival films through the official Queer Lounge Film Guide, distributed in special editions of Xtra. There will also be 3 special educational panels: Post-Brokeback: New Horizons in financing LGBT Film, The Bubble and Shortbus. Film Guides and panels are free to the public.

At night, Queer Lounge shines with exclusive VIP Concerts and Parties, including the Shortbus After-Party on September 10th featuring a multitude of local queer performers, and The Bubble After-Party on September 11th with hosts Scott Thompson and Elvira Kurt with special guest Hawksley Workman.

Both events are being held at the Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne St) and tickets are available at the club or Ticketmaster.

The Queer Lounge made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival a few years back, and has been nothing short of a smashing success. We welcome you to Toronto with loving arms!

For all the latest news and gossip, jump onto http://www.queerlounge.org/

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August 2006 - Film Review – Shortbus

2007-07-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

© August 2006 - Shortbus Film Review By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

Found: One overly sexed up flick for (semi) mainstream audiences. This makes Sex in the City, Red Shoe Diaries and Queer as Folk look like After-School Specials. Some scenes give new meaning to the words “cum on”.

The Title: The name of a salon where the characters meet to give readings and performances, and sometimes to have public sex. It is modeled on real-life salons in Downtown Manhattan.

The Plot Line: A group of off-beat New Yorkers merges together via their sexual oddities and escapades.

The Director: John Cameron Mitchell – creator of that other infamous cult underground sexually charged flick – Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

The Players: Sex Therapist: Sook Yin Lee, Dominatrix: Lindsay Beamish, Gay Man: Paul Dawson, The Boyfriend: PJ Deboy

The Music: Yo La Tengo, Gentleman Reg, Hidden CamerasThe Quote: “It's just like the sixties, only with less hope. See anything you like?”

The Funding: Partially by oddball musician Moby but avoided by most major corporations:
The Success: Cannes 2006 and now TIFF

The Canadian Content: HighThe Why See It: A mad nexus of art, music, politics and sex

The Party: Sunday Sept 10, Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne Street, 10PM, $25

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June 2006 – Film Review - The King

2007-07-29T21:19:00.000-07:00

© June 2006 - Film Review - The King By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

A film by James Marsh, Starring Gael Garcia Bernal and William Hurt, Running time: 105m When Malerie looks at Elvis and says “We are all going to hell” she wasn’t kidding.

The creep factor is high in The King. It is creepy not in a horror movie vein, but in an adult societal taboo way. Watching this movie will make you squeamish and certainly uncomfortable as the plotline dives into a dark pit, which is hard for the lead character Elvis (Gael García Bernal) to crawl out of. You are left wondering if all the carnage and destruction was planned or happenstance. Those subtleties can be credited to a stellar cast, Bernal in particular. With just a look, he can convey emotions so deep you are taken on a roller coaster ride. One minute he is sweet and disarming, the next an unrepentant monster.

Plotline: Bastard son travels to Texas to find the father (William Hurt) he has never met. He discovers his father is a Baptist minister with his own family and wants nothing to do with his past sin, at least initially. Along the way he develops feelings for his half sister and the descent begins.This movie is quiet and dreamlike and stays with you long after you have seen it. It’s also a stark look at Christianity and how far one will or should go with forgiveness.

Overall it’s a terrific movie that delves into the personal lives of each character, illuminating their true spirit and dark inner zones.

Beware: abrupt ending.

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May 2006 - Inside Out Film Festival Review

2007-07-29T21:14:00.000-07:00

© May 2006 - Inside Out Film Festival Review By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

Yes we’re in the midst of independent film festivals, and one of the more interesting offerings in the Toronto market is Inside Out, the 16th annual Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival, Canada’s largest.

It’s enticing, titillating and definitely entertaining. There are screenings, artist talks, panel discussions, installations and parties that highlight more than 275 films and videos from Canada and around the world.With the recent success of such mainstream queer-oriented films such as Brokeback Mountain, Transamerica and others, is Inside Out as important today as it was when it first began? Most definitely it is. These are independent films made specifically for queer and queer-friendly audiences, by queer identified individuals with a passion to tell a story.

For many it’s a first effort, for others it’s a profession. For some it’s based on personal experiences, for others it’s a documentary project. For viewers, it’s pure excitement. Oh, did I mention party?As well as flicks there are many panel discussions and workshops, as well as focus features that include a slew of Latin American produced works. As well, to make films accessible to all, there are five free screenings taking place throughout the Festival.

There are also Four Play ticket packages offering four films within a similar category for a reduced price.Individual tickets are available online, http://www.insideout.ca/,via phone, 416 967 1528, or in person at the box office, Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West. Call for hours.

Tickets are priced at $10.50 for non-members with various discounts for members, youth, seniors, PHA’s and disabled patrons. As well, same day sales and rush seats are available at the screening location one hour prior.Did someone say party? From the opening gala on May 18th to the closing on May 28th, there are nearly a dozen “official” parties to keep things hoping.

Keep your ears open for the “unofficial” parties that tend to happen sporadically as well. Visit http://www.insideout.ca/for all the party details. Meet you at the bar!

Updates

So the time has come. Its opening night fun at the Inside Out Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and what better way to begin than with a night of musical film and musical talent. Be sure to catch the following two flicks prior to heading out to party. They are both well done retrospectives of how far the queer community has made strides within the mainstream markets. Enjoy!

Pick Up The Mic – Friday May 19, 7:30pm, ROM. This is a revealing and fast paced documentary on the world of queer rappers. The film captures n unapologetic underground music movement just as it explodes into the mainstream – defying the music industry’s most homophobic genre in the process. The film shines the spotlight on more than a dozen talented, likeable and fierce queer rappers, representing a remarkable range of sexual and ethnic diversity. This unpolished gem was shot over a three-year period and features scenes from San Francisco’s underground music scene of the early 1990s as well as performances from as recent as 2005.

Backalley Jukebox – Friday May 19, 9:45pm, ROM. Backalley Jukebox is a curated program, by Matt Thomas, and is the world’s largest, filthiest and first touring queer music video program debuting at Inside Out. The program is unique in its content with videos made by queer artist crossing a large spectrum of genres from queer rappers to bent electro rockers. The body of work represented in this historic screening speaks large volumes to the talent, productivity and commercial success brought to the forefront by unafraid artists opening working as queer musicians.

Included in the program is a new video from Scissor Sisters “Filthy Gorgeous” Uncensored, that was banned from MTV, directed by award winning queer director John Cameron Mitchell; “You Are My Sister” from Anthony And The Johnsons featuring Boy George, directed by award winning visual artist Charles Atlas; Gentlemen Reg’s racy new video “The Boyfriend Song” which was not accepted at Much Music, and directed by Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew, just to name a few from this program.

Individual tickets are available online, http://www.insideout.ca/ via phone, 416 967 1528, or in person at the box office, Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West. Call for hours. Tickets are priced at $10.50 for non-members with various discounts for members, youth, seniors, PHA’s and disabled patrons. As well, same day sales and rush seats are available at the screening location one hour prior.

The official “Back Alley Jukebox Party” is happening at the Mod Club (722 College Street) following the screening ~ featuring performances by Kids on TV, Fritz Helder & the Phantoms, Syntonics, DJ Will Munro and more.

Tickets $7 at the door, start time 10:30PMKeep your ears open for the “unofficial” parties that tend to happen sporadically as well. Visit http://www.insideout.ca/ for all the party details.

Meet you at the bar!

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May 2006 – NXNE

2007-07-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

© May 2006 - North By Northeast (NXNE) Music & Film Festival and Conference By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

It’s all about music – bands, films, conferences, concerts, parties and lots of networking.

There are hundreds of bands from all over the world that will be flocking to Toronto to take over the streets and clubs over the weekend of June 8th to 10th. From no-name to big-name, it’s your chance to catch the best or the next-best. The spectrum of music covers rock and roll, alt-country, hip hop, underground and indie so there’s something for every musical taste. It’s good to keep an open mind and step out of your boundaries, as you never know what’s out there until you discover it on your own.

There’s also plenty of music related flicks to entertain should your ears need a break. These include the Canadian Premiere of Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out, Colonel Tom Parker: Manager of Elvis, and High and Dry: Where the Desert Meets Rock N Roll.As well, various conferences will help bands figure out how to survive in the music industry. Topics include getting your first CD release, finding a manager, major label dealings, DIY options and legal advice.

Icon highlights this year include appearances by the elusive Tom Verlaine and Television, Homosapien Pete Shelley with his Buzzcocks, and ex-Police member, Stewart Copeland. Each will be doing a “celebrity interview” and both Television and Buzzcocks are playing shows at the Phoenix, Friday June 8th and Saturday June 9th respectively.

Your $28.00 wristband is great for club hopping, line jumping, and a guarantee of no cover at all of the participating 33 venues during the NXNE weekend (subject to capacity). Wristband wearers also get into any of the film screenings, and into the closing night party, Sunday June 11, 9PM at The El Mocambo. Not a bad deal, but be prepared for lineups and sometimes disappointment on not being able to get in to see your favourite band.

Pick up a wristband ticket at one of the following locations then redeem it at any of the participating clubs to receive your wristband:• Sam the Record Man - 347 Yonge St • Soundscapes - 572 College St • Steve's Music Store - 415 Queen St W • Sonic Boom - 512 Bloor St W • Big Daddy's DVD Shop - 3044 Dundas St W • I'm With Stupid - 1300 Queen St W • CD Replay - 762 Yonge St • The EDGE Street Level Studios - 228 Yonge St • NOW Magazine - 189 Church St Wristband tickets will also be for sale at all of our participating clubs during the Festival.

Surf on over to http://www.nxne.com/ for all the latest updates.

Party on Wayne!

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May 2006 - Hot Docs Review - Exiles in Lotusland

2007-07-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

© May 2006 - Exiles in Lotusland By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

One quarter of Vancouver’s street youth have migrated there from the inner regions of Quebec, where they have run away from abuse, family issues, detention centers, and other hardships of life. Exiles in Loutsland is an intimate portrait of a couple (Milo and Ti-Criss) in search of escape. For now, their only certainty is each other.

In 1999, Director Ilan Saragosti moved to Vancouver from his native Quebec. Walking the streets one day he recalled hearing several of the panhandlers speaking a familiar Quebecois dialect. He soon discovered a whole underground population of youth that fled their homeland in search of something new. Saragosti mentions that this trend first began back in the 70’s and continues today as youth believe it to be a sort of El Dorado, with its favourable weather and accessibility to drugs. It’s a place to find your dreams, or supposedly so.

Saragosti admits, “Having privilege to a stable home environment, I decided to do this documentary more out of curiosity, exploration and understanding than anything else.” He initially approached Milo and Ti-Criss with the idea, and once trust was established they began their journey as a team. He endured a fluid relationship with the couple, sometimes spending up to 8 and 10 hours today in their company. “We’d finish up for the day, and the crew and I would head back to our hotel rooms and they would head off to find a place to crash”, he recalls.While Milo maintains contact with her family members back in Quebec, Ti-Criss has no contact whatsoever, fleeing an abusive home.

The film providing in depth views as they maneuver around surviving as best they can on a day to day basis. They are shown looking for the next meal and searching for a place to bed down for the night. It also takes a startling and somewhat expected turn at the end, and is an indication of the potential downfalls of street life.

Positively though, today Milo is off the street, off drugs, and working ~ with aspirations of becoming an Outreach Worker.While government assistance is available for street youth, many are reluctant to take advantages of the services as it’s the very thing they are sometimes running from. Saragosti admits, “The funding helps, but it also pushes them to the streets.”The film has won the Best Canadian Feature Film at the Whistler Film Festival and Honourable mention in Houston.

Exiles in Lotusland is showing at Hot Docs and will be available at the NFB private viewing stations after the Festival. http://www.hotdocs.ca/ http://www.nfb.ca/(Canada, 2005, 70 min) Director: Ilan Saragosti Photo Credit: Mia D – Ilan Saragosti.

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May 2006 - Hot Docs Review - Cottonland Review

2007-07-29T21:02:00.000-07:00

© May 2006 - Cottonland Film Review By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

Tiny Glace Bay, Nova Scotia gained the reputation of a drug ladled community stricken by the generous prescriptions and availability of morphine-derivative OxyContin. Director Nance Ackerman was first introduced to this epidemic of addiction when she was working as a photographer with the Toronto Star and was assigned to assist with a feature article on the subject. It was during this visit that she first met her soon-to-be documentary collaborator, Eddie Buchanan, and two years later they are in Toronto awaiting the screening of their efforts.Ackerman states, “This is a global issue not confined to Glace Bay, but present in several post-industrial communities.” She argues that the government should be held accountable for letting this happen.

Glace Bay was a typical situation where a once vibrant coal mining community fell into despair as the mines closed and people were forced out of work. Several lawsuits have sprung out within the U.S. and possible action is forthcoming in Glace Bay where one doctor just recently had his practice shut. The film has one doctor stating that there may have been too many prescriptions given out without much thought about the situation.

As typical with coal miners, lower back pain symptoms are not uncommon. As Buchanan states, “If a doctor is giving out, then there’s no business.”Buchanan describes how he became part of the “pill community” that included not only OxyContin, but Percodan, Percocet, and Fiorinal.

“I’ve been on and off drugs since I was 16, now I’m 29 but feel like an old man of 60.” Although he’s cleaned up and is considered a recovering addict, he still maintains a regular regime of methadone, which he considers a tool not a cure.

He started drugs as escapism to black out any problems that he was facing at the time. He admits, “It became not so much about getting high, but about not getting sick by continuing to use.” Luckily he is hear to share his story as there were 24 drug related deaths reported in just over a year and a half in the Glace Bay area.

The positive effects are seen through his smiling face as he announces he’s now working as an electrical apprentice. Ackerman is quick to point out that his resume now includes Filmmaker as well.Glace Bay is also making progress and now has a government funded prescription monitoring program, addiction services assessing individuals by way of harm reduction, and plans to incorporate a methadone clinic within the Glace Bay Hospital. Currently the nearest clinic is 15 minutes away in Sydney, and has a huge waiting list.

Both Ackerman and Buchanan admit that the media coverage played a big role in bringing light to the situation and pushing forward some of these changes.

Ackerman concludes that she would like, “the next step to be for the government to show these communities how to live with pride, identity and worth.”Cottonland is showing at Hot Docs and will be available at the NFB private viewing stations after the Festival. http://www.hotdocs.ca/ http://www.nfb.ca/ (Canada, 2005, 53 min) Directors: Nance Ackerman, in collaboration with Eddie Buchanan.

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April 2006 - 3 Needles Film Review

2007-07-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

© April 2006 - 3 Needles Film Review By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

If you’re a fan of movies with a poignant storyline, great cinematography, a bit of seriousness and some nun-sense, then grab your syringe and go for the plunge.

The plot carries itself well, spotlighting the plight of “the virus” as it transforms three continents into death camps.

Not all is dark and dim though, as the scenes with the three nuns in South Africa provides for some comic relief and a couple of great one-liners, such as “That baby was born early, now he’s always going to be impatient.” Young and rebellious Sister Clara (Chloe Sevigny) wants to make change and stops at nothing to succeed. Sister Hilde (Olympia Dukakis) and Sister Mary (Sandra Oh) also contribute strong performances.Jin Ping (Lucy Liu) sets up a blood donor clinic in rural China, acting as a blood-runner.

The Canadian connection has Denny (Shawn Ashmore) working in the porn industry, much to his fathers approval and mothers (Stockard Channing) chagrin.

Denny is in denial about “the virus” and does anything to avoid knowing.Canadian Director Thom Fitzgerald (Hanging Garden) does an amazing job of bringing the global reality of “the virus” to the forefront in this strong film with a stellar cast. Sit back, travel and think.

Opens April 21st - Check local listings for locations and show times – Running Time: 125 min.The opening scene shows a group of young African boys preparing themselves for manhood.

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March 2006 - Absolut Tracks

2007-07-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

© March 2006 - Absolut Tracks By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

Absolut Vodka has always been known as the trendy artsy vodka, right from that day in 1985 when they collaborated with Andy Warhol to create exclusive artwork for the label. They’ve since worked with many others in the art and fashion worlds, including Tom Ford, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gianni Versace and Kenny Scharf.

March 23rd was the official Canadian launch of their newest project, Absolut Tracks and specifically Absolut Kravitz, a venture into the music business with a recognizable internationally known personality. Legendary Lenny Kravitz agreed to write, produce and release his latest single exclusively via Absolut. “Breathe” is an excellent dance track that will likely be all over the airwaves this summer.

It’s yet another direction Kravitz has taken, as with all his other non-categorical releases. He’s quoted as saying, “I wanted something with a simple dance beat, ala Donna Summer’s I Feel Love”. I think he may have that down pat.The one stipulation when developing the song for Absolut was to incorporate the brands core values ~ clarity, simplicity and perfection.

Kravitz admits, “There’s nothing more simple, clear or perfect than the essence of true love. Once I’d felt that, the track just came.”What makes this release even more interesting is that it has already been remixed by 10 different artists, and all tracks are available for free download at Absolut Tracks, along with the video.

Not sure what the major labels are going to think of this approach, but Absolut seem to be once again on the leading edge of pop culture. The Canadian link to all this is a remix done by Montreal’s DJ-duo Chromeo, who performed their remix version at the launch party.

Other featured artists are from Australia, Germany, Mexico, the US, and China.The Launch was held at the Artcore Gallery in the Distillery District of Toronto.

Thanks to Absolut for their newest creations: Absolut Limelight, Apple Sweety, and Monsoon.

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March 2006 - Beastie Boys - (Da 3 Dudes)

2007-07-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

© November 2006 - Da 3 Dudes By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

Da 3 Dudes known as the Beastie Boys are trying the talents in film nowadays – well sort of. “AWESOME; I … SHOT THAT!” – it’s concert footage from their 2004 Madison Square Garden show taken by 50 concert-goers who were given cameras to film the Boys in concert, the fans, and anything else they felt like supposedly.

The result is a grainy-amateur-like 90 minute waste of time, visually anyway.I think this could prove rock stars do not equal film producers. I totally get what they were trying to accomplish, but let’s leave this for the amateurs and independents who don’t have corporate backing and therefore it’s an honest depiction of what they are capable of, not something “creatively” put together by professionals. To add to the hype, THINKfilm did a pre-release on March 23rd that was shown on close to 200 screens across North America.

This was preceded by the world premiere of “A DAY IN THE LIFE OF NATHANIAL HORNBLOWER,” a 30-minute short created specifically for this one-time event.This was quite the entertaining piece that followed Mr. Hornblower (David Cross – Arrested Development) through the streets of NYC doing his day-to-day activities while on his cross country skis – with no snow. He goes about his business dressed as a German Biermeister – not a leprechaun!

There were a couple of priceless lines such as when finishing his morning expresso – “It’s the elixir of the gods ~ a tiny cup of crystal meth”.FYI – Hornblower is a pseudonym for Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, who directed both flicks. THINKfilm states the short “will self-destruct right after it is presented on March 23rd, never to be seen again.”

This enterprise is the force behind independent and non-fiction film for the past four years, and future projects include the movie version of “Strangers With Candy”.”AWESOME; … I SHOT THAT!” hits theatres for its regular run on April 14, 2006.

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March 2006 - Strut Magazine Toronto Launch Party

2007-07-29T20:53:00.000-07:00

© March 2006 - Strut Magazine Toronto Launch Party By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

On Wednesday March 8th The Berkeley Church (Queen and Parliament) was once again transformed into a concert venue/promotional showcase for a Strut Magazine event. Last year they created headlines by bringing in Juliette Lewis and the Licks. This year performances by NYC’s “Morningwood” and Montreal’s “The Stills” didn’t bring the same buzz but the bands rocked out in fine format.

Strut defines itself as “Canada’s Coolest Magazine” and “the best in Canadian fashion, photography and culture. I personally flipped through the glossy pages scanning the 50% advertising content, 30% pictures, and finally the 20% text that might of interest to readers. If you’re a fan of GQ or Vogue this is likely aimed at you, and you were likely at the launch party as well.

This year the purpose of the party was to announce their new Toronto digs over near Queen and Dufferin in the trendy west end of the city, after 3 years in their home town of Montreal. VICE Magazine recently moved into the Parkdale area as well. Strut is now claiming they are going to conquer the country one city at a time. Not sure if they know of the success/failure rate of most publications, but then again with a 50% advertising content I’m sure they will likely stay afloat longer than other upstarts.

The Launch Party itself was jam-packed, thanks to some excellent PR work. Corporate sponsorship was everywhere including Oakley, Motorola and Skyy Vodka. Morningwood came out shortly after 9 and within minutes lead singer Chantal Claret had me thinking of her as the new Patti Smyth. Tons of energy, hard-ass vocals and a no-shit attitude give her control of the stage. Their single, “Take Off Your Clothes” was inspiration for her to call up a young vixen from the crowd and then proceeded to rip her clothes off her and got into some girl-on-girl soft core.

Their self-titled debut is a hit on college, university and indie stations across the USA. It helps to have the credibility of producer Gil Norton (Echo and the Bunnymen, Pixes, Foo Fighters) behind them.

The Stills were quite tame after the explosive openers, but they did their best to keep the attention of the largely non-attentive crowd. This crowd was there after receiving complimentary invitations (and drinks if you arrived early enough), again thanks to the good PR work. After a solid 30 minute set, The Stills left the stage to make way for Carlos D, from NYC’s Interpol. Apparently he was quite late arriving, and again an uninterested crowd couldn’t care less and started filing out by 11pm.

I’m sure accomplishment was achieved by all parties involved with this party. Let’s see what they get up to next.

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March 2006 - Canadian Music Week (part 1 of 2)

2007-07-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

© March 2006 - Canadian Music Week Festival (part 1 of 2) By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

Canadian Music Week blew through town once again last weekend, and just like a hurricane it wreaked some havoc. There was the usual confusion, cancellations and disappointment amongst the highlights of the Festival. I’m not going to give you the typical band reviews, but more a CMW critique.

The “week” began on Wednesday with “The Indie Awards” which could be an excellent venue for promoting “indie” bands, but it’s more a who’s hot right now sort of event. This year they even honoured a couple of old school Canuck bands, Parachute Club and Pursuit of Happiness, into the “Indie Hall of Fame”.

Back in the 80’s the sound was known as “alternative” until mainstream took over that word. Now it appears “indie” is about to be morphed into the corporate world of music as well. What next? “Underground” seems to be still valid as an all encompassing homage to the undiscovered talents out there.

There were performances by The Stars and Magnet that were not really much to drool over. Overall winners sounded like a top 40 play list with Arcade Fire, Bedouin Sound Clash, Broken Social Scene, Metric, DFA1979 and even Sum 41. If this is “indie” then I would say suggest all bands out there sign up to a (major) label quick if you want to be recognized.

Seriously though, something a bit more “underground” is The Galaxie Rising Stars Award of the CBC, which helps new artists promote their name in the Canadian music industry. This year the Award was determined by Critics' Choice where music journalists across Canada voted to determine the winner.

The shortlist for the 2006 Galaxie Rising Stars Award of the CBC was as follows, with Elliott Brood being chosen the overall winner with most votes.All Purpose Voltage Heroes "Already Haunted" (Rectangle) Black Mountain "Black Mountain" (Jagjaguwar/Scratch) Elliott Brood "Ambassador" (Six Shooter) Comeback Kid "Wake The Dead" (Smallman) The Diableros "You Can't Break The Strings In Our Olympic Hearts" (Independent) Final Fantasy "Has A Good Home" (Blocks) Holy Fuck "Holy Fuck" (Dependent) Jon-Rae and The River "New Songs For The Old Town" (Permafrost) Republic of Safety "Passport" (Independent)

So the “week” continues the following evening, which is the first night you can use your wristband for anyone who actually purchased one of these. At $35 a pop, it’s hard to get full value over the three nights (Thursday to Saturday) of the “week”. Don’t forget to add on cab fares if you actually want to catch bands in various venues, but if you stuck to one venue for the night at $8, you’d be paying $24 for all 3 nights – a savings of $11 right off the top.

But the purpose of CMW is to bop around club hopping, perhaps getting somewhere to encounter a line up, or they are at “wristband capacity”, then it’s another decision to be made.So in order to see the bands you want you have to be pretty slick and on the ball.

The CMW website isn’t any help as it seems the format hasn’t been updated in years, and navigating around is very cumbersome.

As for the tradeshows, these are actually quite valuable to those in the industry. It’s great for networking and learning tricks of the trade for new musicians. There are tons of seminars with guest speakers, not all of which are sales pitches.

These are industry-only events so no need to flash your wristband here.I didn’t actually notice many line ups this year, except for the show piece event on Saturday at Lee’s, with current darlings Mstrkrft. These cover boys (on NOW Magazine) packed the place and evidently this was a known fact long before the Saturday performance as NOW had the show listed as “sold out”. Another loss for those with wristbands, but they are pretty though and likely reusable for something.

Then over at Social and Spin Gallery, the owners decided to cancel the showcase that evening due to poor turnout the previous nights. The owners didn’t feel like taking a loss when they could generate more revenue from their regular Saturday night DJ crowd. How could CMW let this happen? Are there not any contracts in place with venues? Will Social be allowed as a participating venue next year? So the cancellation sucks, not only for people heading there to catch some bands of interest, but also to the bands that came in specifically to play CMW.

Luckily some quick thinking and the show went on as a “house party” just up the street. Now that’s the “indie” spirit of a true music festival.

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February 2006 - Canadian Music Week (part 2 of 2)

2007-07-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

© February 2006 - Canadian Music Week Festival By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

Canadian Music Week is the largest Music & Entertainment Convention in Canada with delegates representing radio, music and television broadcasters, music manufacturers, record companies, music retailers and distributors, new media/internet producers, concert promoters, venue managers, music & video producers, recording artists and musicians.

Once a year the "suits" and the concert going public meet in venues across Toronto for a single purpose - to hear the hottest acts, known and unknown. The A&R reps come with a mandate to find next year's stars, while the fans bring their passion. Whether it's the next "big thing" or one of today's hottest performers, there’s something for everyone at the Festival. The four day event encompasses two conferences, a trade show, and a slew of live performances. All convention functions take place at Toronto's Fairmount Royal York Hotel.

The Executive Conference March 2-4, 2006 Targets Music & Media business professionals and attracts top industry leaders from around the world.

The Tune Up Conference March 2-4, 2006Designed to help new and experienced artists hone their skills in both the business and artistic aspects of their careers.

CMW Trade Show March 2-4, 2006 - Fairmont Royal York TorontoThis is the best way to reach the cream of the industry crop, those VIP’s with the freedom to make strategic decisions and major purchase orders.

There’s also four different Awards Presentations that take place during the Festival.The Indie Awards – March 1 - The Docks, 7PMCMW Industry Awards – March 2 – the gala event of the Festival The Crystal Awards – March 2 – radio accolades – Fairmount Royal York, 1230PM Canadian Radio Music Awards – March 4 –Fairmount Royal York, 1230PM

If this isn’t enough, then there’s check out the following specific to performers:Canadian Radio Star (Songwriting Competition), Finals – March 3-4Urban Star Quest, March 4International Songwriter’s Festival, March 3-4Xtreme Band Slam, March 2-4Tin Pan Alley North, March 3-4

Now if this isn’t enough to keep any musician or avid fan busy for a few days, then you’ll just have to wait until North By Northeast heads into town in June.Check out http://www.cmw.net/ for all the details on the above, a complete schedule of performances, and links to band websites. Enjoy!

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February 2006 - Scott Bishop Interview (Blue Man Group)

2007-07-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

© February 2006 - Scott Bishop Interview By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

It all began as a performance piece in Central Park – Funeral for the 80’s - to protest against yuppies, cocaine and postmodern architecture. It was 1988 and the birth of Blue Man Group.

The following three years were spent busking on sidewalks developing the concept and testing new ideas. They are now celebrating 14 continuous years of performances at NYC’s Astor Theater.

Scott Bishop has been with this eccentric troop since the Toronto opening back in June 2005. Born in Kentville, N.S. and a classically trained musician, he found both his location and profession offering limited possibilities. After a short stop in Vancouver, he landed in Toronto as one of the “blue men.”

He describes the audition process as “very lengthy”, but he’s glad that he “applied at the last minute with the encouragement of friends.” After 2 months of intense training in NYC, where he was actually performing with the NYC troop, he made his way to Toronto. Part of his training was to have between 200 and 300 objects thrown at him every day. “I used to bounce balls off the wall and catch them in my mouth several times a day”, he laughs.

He’s happy to now be working with such a fun bunch and states, “It’s all about hiring the right people. We’re like a family working within a very positive, supportive environment. We talk after each show, share our feelings on the night and offer each other feedback.”This concept was part of the vision of the original Blue Man, Chris Wink, who is still very much involved with the creative input. The various show segments are created by coming up with an idea, developing the scene, and adapting the music to match. The show explores the stability of pop culture by examining social interactions between individuals.

Although they now could be considered a corporate entity, every show still has a charity fundraising focus. It was decided as a responsible group initiative to make people aware of various issues, often with an environmental focus. This certainly stays true to their grassroots origin back in the 80’s.Besides Toronto, BMG are now performing in London, Berlin, New York, Boston, Chicago, and Las Vegas. Visit http://www.blueman.ca/ for show times and ticket information.

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February 2006 – VORTEX

2007-07-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

© February 2006 - Blue Man Group- VORTEX Review By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

I’m not quite certain why, but Blue Man Group has delved into the world of an art curator. VORTEX, noted as their first annual art competition in Toronto took place on February 6th at the oh-so-artsy, Drake Hotel. A call went out to artists of any age to submit a piece of work in any medium that would “challenge established expectations”.

Now what exactly does that mean?A list of chosen curators were put together to decide which lucky individuals would walk away with some of the over $5000.00 up for grabs.VORTEX: 1. A spiral motion of fluid within a limited area, especially a whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it toward its centre. 2. A place or situation regarded as drawing into its centre all that surrounds it. 3. The greatest art competition ever.

Shamsi Shahrokhi took top honours in the Adult (18+) division with Rendezvous, an exploration of Toronto's multiculturalism whereby she used TTC transfers as the background to depict images of individuals she encountered during her travels around the city. This process is known as Heat Drawing and accomplished by using a heated object to burn the image into a paper based background.

Runner-Ups in the Adult division were Ljuba Adanja's Deep Sleep and Sol Friedman's Qbert. By far, the most interesting piece was created by Lulu Hazel Turnbull, who won the Youth Division (12-17) with Red & Black No. 12. Turnbull used ink on canvas to delve into her fear of the social dilemmas facing our global community, including war and overpopulation. Remember, this is the Youth Division! Overall, the works were not extraordinarily different or outstanding, but the event did serve its purpose.

All winners will now have their work displayed at the Panasonic Theatre (651Yonge Street) where Blue Man Group is currently performing their amazing “theatre, ritual, performance art, comedy, rock concert and dance party rolled into one.” Visit http://www.blueman.ca/ for more information and tickets.

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February 2006 - Hot Doc's

2007-07-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

© February 2006 - Hot Doc's By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

Spring is just around the corner, and that means one thing is certain – Film Festivals abound throughout the city. Although not quite a “film fest”, Hot Doc's is certainly a festival worth exploring.

It’s billed as North America's largest documentary festival and the 13th annual edition takes place April 28 to May 7 this year.There were recent changes at the helm of the Festival as the Board of Directors appointed Alliance Atlantis Executive Norm Bolen to Co-Chair and Corus Entertainment’s Michael Harris to Treasurer. As well, it was recently announced that legendary director Werner Herzog will be presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award this year, and Quebec filmmaker Serge Giguere has been selected as the individual for Focus On, showing a retrospective of his past works.

During the downtime between actual Festival dates, those so inclined may want to check out the monthly Doc Soup running from October to April at the Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West) at 7:00 pm.

At select DOC SOUP screenings, guest directors will be on hand to introduce their work and answer questions from the audience. The next two screenings are March 8 and April 5.

On March 8th, Unknown White Male explores how a New York City man suddenly leaves his home heading somewhere, but not knowing who he is or where he is going.

He must then try to put the pieces of his life back together just like a jigsaw puzzle.There’s an outstanding selection of 100+ documentaries from Canada and around the world as well as the renowned Toronto Documentary Forum, running May 3 & 4, 2006. For more information and the latest updates, go to http://www.hotdocs.ca/.

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December 2005 - The Passenger

2007-07-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

© December 2005 - The Passenger Film Review By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

The Passenger is a rare gem of a movie that was produced over 30 years ago, way back in 1975, just prior to Jack Nicholson’s (One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest -1974) rise to top in Hollywood. Michelangelo Antonioni directed this film-noir of sorts, with plenty of suspense to sustain the interest level, while dreamy panoramic views create for an interesting travelogue.

The film also features Maria Schneider (Last Tango in Paris - 1972), as “the girl”.Oh the passenger He rides and he rides He looks through his window. What does he see?

What is seen on the surface isn’t necessarily reality. Journalist Locke (Nicholson) is on yet another assignment, this time tracking down rebels in the African desert. The morning after socializing with a fellow journeyman at his hotel, Locke awakes to find his hotel mate no longer breathing.

One can assume this to be the result of heart failure given his statement from the previous night - “I have a bad heart and shouldn’t be drinking – want another?” Locke sees this as an opportunity to secure a new identity, and so the plot begins. Passports are mocked up and Locke leaves the hotel as “Robertson” while “Locke’s” body is left to be transported back home.

What Locke doesn’t realize as he assumes this new life, is that Robertson is actually a gunrunner for an underground operation. Leaving Africa, he heads off to keep the dead man's appointments, hoping that his new life will be more interesting than his old one was. As his travels take him through various regions of Europe, he encounters “the girl” who eventually tags along for the adventure.

She is trekking around at free will and welcomes the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of “Robertson’s” secretive life upon his confession, “I ran out on everything except a few bad habits”.He sees the bright and hollow sky. He see the stars come out tonight He sees the city’s ripped backsides He sees the winding ocean drive Locke’s wife soon realizes what’s happened and sets out on her own mission to track him down.

He’s also now on the run from a team of assassins who want to kill the man selling guns to the rebels in their country. It’s all very surreal, yet real at the same time. “The Girl” tells Locke, “People disappear everyday”, and Locke replies, “Every time they leave the room”. Leaving one’s life may seem that simple, but taking on a new one proves to be no easy task.

And everything was made for you and meAll of it was made for you and me’cause it just belongs to you and meSo, let’s take a ride and see what’s mine.It’s a slow moving movie that may not appeal to a newer MTV generation, yet it’s a classic in its own right.

However, with retro-vogue so popular these days there likely will be some curiosity appeal. The Passenger is being released across Canada by Mongrel Media with Nicholson owning full global rights to the movie.

A limited Toronto showing takes place at Jackman Hall (Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West), from January 13th to January 18th inclusive. Tickets are $11.50 for non-members.Check the Cinematheque website for show times and additional information.** Lyrical excerpts are from “The Passenger”, a musical classic of the same title by famed Detroit musician Iggy Pop.

This story was published on juicystuff.ca

November 2005 - Blue Man Group

2007-07-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

© November 2005 - Blue Man Group Review By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

It is a concert…it is performance art…it is a theatrical documentary…it is Blue Man Group.
The spectacle known as Blue Man Group opened in Toronto earlier this summer amid some local controversy, but that hasn’t stopped the gang from delivering an amazing show.

It dazzles and amazes for the full 90-minutes. Three grown “blue” men are the focus of the audience’s attention as they flip back and forth between various performance antics. The show is described as, “an explosive party atmosphere that appeals to people of all ages, languages, and cultures”.

There is the feeling of sensory overload in all directions as the Blue Boys bounce around the stage and up and down the aisles. You know something weird is about to happen when the first 4 rows of the audience are handed full-body plastic bags to cover up with, and other audience members are wearing head bands made of toilet paper.

Audience interaction is an integral part of the show - be prepared to be selected for your “5 minutes of fame”.One of the show highlights has to be the paintball/marshmallow scene which is jaw dropping, in more ways than one. Don’t try this one at home kids. There’s also the 3D internet café portion that is created via black lights and optical illusions. “TV Heads” was created exclusively for the Toronto performance and is highly entertaining.

The show has an amazing finale and continues on even after exiting the theatre. The troop members mingle with the audience in the theatre lobby posing for pictures, signing autographs, and collecting change for the local AIDS foundation. The attention to detail goes so far as to even have recorded music being played in the washrooms after the show with lyrics about bathrooms.

The musicians are very much a part of the show and in fact are becoming quite known beyond the performance venues. They have released two CD’s and a DVD, and have done some work on movie soundtracks and animation projects.BMG have performed outside of North America in Berlin, and just recently opened in London, England.

They were also presenters at the 2005 Billboard Awards and performers at the Earth to America benefit in Las Vegas in November. With this much adoration, can they now be considered part of the pop culture?

It’s a show for all ages, and a fun time is guaranteed whether you bring your mother or your daughter. Just a friendly warning – don’t be late arriving.

There are nightly shows (except Monday) at the Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge Street, with tickets prices ranging from $59.00 to $64.00.

There are also afternoon weekend performances.For more information visit http://www.blueman.ca/ and for ticket information visit http://www.ticketmaster.ca/ or call 416 872 1111. Tickets are also available at the theatre box office.

This story was published on juicystuff.ca

November 2005 - Canadian Urban Music Awards

2007-07-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

© November 2005 - Canadian Urban Music Awards (CUMA) By Bryen Dunn, Toronto - Info@bryendunn.com

The 2005 Canadian Urban Music Awards (CUMA) were recently held in Toronto over a two night span. The first night was the Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation held on the 53rd floor of the TD Bank Tower, with a panoramic view of the downtown core and Lake Ontario.

The overall feel was somewhat low-key given the organizers push to grow the Awards and gain a broader audience. Hosts Rich Fagon and Arisa Cox looked awkward in the large venue with the sparse audience. Part of the problem was the empty tables purchased by label execs and sponsor organizations that didn’t bother to fill the seats with people. It’s fine to toss money toward the cause, but actually showing an interest makes a huge difference as well. As well, the pricey $150.00 tickets for this event likely make it out of reach for the real fans.

Established in 1996, the Urban Music Association of Canada (UMAC) is a not-for-profit, member driven organization dedicated to building the domestic and international profile of Canadian urban music. CUMA is the annual signature event that spotlights leaders in the industry in several categories, honouring the best Canadian urban artists.

Canadian Idol judge Farley Flex was presented with the Special Achievement Award for raising the profile of urban music in Canada. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to jazz drummer Archie Alleyne, who has played with countless jazz greats throughout his 56-year career.

The Kool Haus event the following evening was better attended at $30.00 a head, which is worth the price just to check out the performances and possibly rub shoulders with Canada’s next big sensation.

The show will be broadcast on December 21st at 9:00 PM on SUN TV (http://suntv.canoe.ca/ ). Seems like quite the delay in broadcasting and not much of a surprise when all the winners have already been chosen and listed on the website (http://www.umac.ca/ )

This story was published on juicystuff.ca

The World As We Know It

2007-07-09T19:09:00.000-07:00

"Imagine A World Without Cars"

Carcinogens

The term carcinogen refers to any substance, radionuclide or radiation which is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer or in the facilitation of its propagation. This may be due to genomic instability or to the disruption of cellular metabolic processes. Several radioactive substances are considered carcinogens, but their carcinogenic activity is attributed to the radiation, for example gamma rays or alpha particles, which they emit. Common examples of carcinogens are asbestos and tobacco smoke.

Carcinogens may cause cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly in cells, which interferes with normal biological processes. Aflatoxin B1, which is produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus growing on stored grains, nuts and peanut butter, is an example of a potent, naturally-occurring microbial carcinogen.

Cooking protein-rich food at high temperatures, for example broiling or barbecuing meats, can lead to the formation of many potent carcinogens that are comparable to those found in cigarette smoke (i.e., benzo[a]pyrene).[1] Pre-cooking meats in a microwave oven for 2-3 minutes before broiling can help minimize the formation of these carcinogens.

Benzene, kepone, EDB, asbestos, and the waste rock of oil-shale mining have all been classified as carcinogenic. As far back as the 1930s, industrial and tobacco smoke were identified as sources of dozens of carcinogens, including benzopyrene, tobacco-specific nitrosamines such as nitrosonornicotine, and reactive aldehydes such as formaldehyde — which is also a hazard in embalming and making plastics. Vinyl chloride from PVC is a carcinogen. Certain viruses such as Hepatitis B and human papilloma viruses have been found to cause cancer in humans. The first one shown to cause cancer in animals was Rous sarcoma virus, discovered in 1910 by Peyton Rous.

CERCLA identifies all radionuclides as carcinogens, although the nature of the emitted radiation (alpha, beta, or gamma, and the energy), its consequent capacity to cause ionization in tissues, and the magnitude of radiation exposure, determine the potential hazard. For example, Thorotrast, an (incidentally-radioactive) suspension previously used as a contrast medium in x-ray diagnostics, is thought by some to be the most potent human carcinogen known because of its retention within various organs and persistent emission of alpha particles. Both Wilhelm Röntgen and Marie Curie died of cancer caused by radiation exposure during their experiments.

Recent reports have found that the known animal carcinogen acrylamide is generated in fried or overheated carbohydrate foods (such as french fries and potato chips). Studies are underway at the FDA and European regulatory agencies to assess its potential risk to humans. The charred residue on barbecued meats has been identified as a carcinogen, along with many other tars.

Co-carcinogens are chemicals which do not separately cause cancer, but do so in specific combinations.