May/June 2012, Volume 193
THE MIRACLE OF PRIDE
By every measure, Pride festivals across Canada have become more successful every year. The number of floats and marchers is increasing and the crowds lining the routes continue to grow. Even smaller cities are managing to stage their own scaled-down events. But with success come problems.
THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS ARE OPEN: Editor, Assistant Editor, New Media Editor, Advertising Salespeople
OutWords and its predecessor, Swerve, have been the voice of the GLBT community in Manitoba since 1994. OutWords provides news, analysis and entertainment, including features and personality profiles. If you have lots of energy and want to be part of the OutWords team and help it grow while serving the GLBT community, contact editor@outwords.ca
GAY JUDGE TRIUMPHS OVER COURT
CHILE: Gay judge wins custody of kids • NEPAL: First gender-neutral loo • VATICAN CITY: Pope disses gay marriage • DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Nookie spotted through porthole • TANZANIA: Red ribbon stigmatizes • BELARUS: Homophobic dictator • MISSISSIPPI: Hellish comments
HATE CASE GOES TO SUPREME COURT
OTTAWA: Gay Travellers Caution • Ontario Catholics split over GSAs • CALGARY: Hate-speech case goes to top court • VANCOUVER: Was medication withheld? • Vancouver Pride in turmoil • TORONTO: Elton John joins fundraiser • WINNIPEG: Homophobie >> non merci • OTTAWA: Fuming over smoking law
WINNIPEG PRIDE AT 25
The first official Pride march in Winnipeg was a celebration, but it could have been a protest instead. On July 15, 1987, the Government of Manitoba passed legislation that recognized the rights of gays and lesbians. A couple of weeks later, the march took place. A group in Winnipeg were planning some sort of event for a couple of weeks after the vote took place in the Manitoba Legislature, they just weren’t sure what that would be until after the final count took place. "It was either going to be a demonstration if it didn't pass, or a celebration it if passed," said Albert McLeod, a two-spirit activist who was there at the first parade.
TRANS-WOMAN TRIUMPHS OVER TRUMP
Jenna Talackova is one of the few people in this world who can say they have taken on Donald Trump and won. She has gone from obscurity to being one of the most recognizable faces in the world. Her image has been splashed over TV screens, newspapers and magazines everywhere. If you Google her name, you will get more than 44 million hits. She is the most famous trans-woman since Christine Jorgensen stepped off a plane in New York in February 1953. Not bad for a slim 23-year-old contestant in the Miss Universe Canada pageant.
HOW TO BUILD A PRIDE FLOAT
The difference between a Pride march and a Pride parade is the floats. Parade floats, loaded with people, dripping with energy and pounding music bring the energy level up in the parade.
THE BUSINESS OF PRIDE
In 2010, Pride Toronto had an impact of $136 million and created 600 jobs. Pride Winnipeg has not yet studied its economic impact in our city. But we do know that last year more than 15,000 attended the Pride Festival at the Forks, and hundreds of those were from out of town. And any event that brings external dollars into the Winnipeg economy is a good thing.
SAFE AT SCHOOL
As a community member, advocate and educator, I have had the amazing opportunity over the years to be a part of significant changes within organizations – from anti-homophobia training for Winnipeg School Division to gaining equal access to marriage and seeing the massive growth of the Pride Festival in Winnipeg to become the largest between Toronto and Vancouver.
A BEAUTIFUL MARRIAGE
Jayne and Laurie came to our church about a year ago. Both are deeply spiritual women who have shared an intimate relationship with God for most of their adult lives. They are gay. And, fortunately, they have always known within themselves that God loves them, heart and soul, just as they have been created.
GIO'S CELEBRATES ITS 30 YEARS OF SERVICE
Thirty years ago, on March 4, 1982, Giovanni’s Room opened its doors to patrons. Today, as Gio’s Club and Bar, it remains the “heart of the GLBT community” of the Prairies.
TECHNOLOGY: YES, YOU CAN START A BLOG
Blogs have been around since the earliest days of the internet. From personal diaries to do-it-yourself manuals and yes, even porn. Blogging is a way to express yourself, to share your interests and to rant – for all the world to read. But how can a person choose between the blogging ‘platforms’? How do you know if you should be blogging on Twitter, Tumblr or Livejournal? (Hint: You should not be blogging on Livejournal).
POETRY: MIRROR IMAGE
He kidnapped her mirror image,
stripping her more than bare.
And she, looking for herself,
finds nothing there.
POETRY: GENERATIONS APART
Arriving late
to see a friend
half his age
he turns a page
… with honesty.
KICKIN' BUTT AT STEERS & QUEERS
A new kind of party is coming to Winnipeg from Toronto for this year’s Pride, hosted by Toronto artist and DJ Lauren Hortie and Winnipeg’s own Hannah Godfrey. Godfrey recently launched her queer dance night “PegGay-Licious” as DJ MonkeySparrow with fellow artist DJ Stagpanther. This June, they’re inviting Hortie to bring her “Steers & Queers” party to our city.
A WARM WELCOME
Waving goodbye to family and country in search of a better life isn't easy for anyone, but if you're LGBT the challenges can be even more daunting as you settle into a new life in Canada. That’s why Winnipeg’s Rainbow Resource Centre launched the Newcomer Project. "My hope is that no one will live in fear as they journey to a new life," says Elgee Merquita, who leads Newcomer Project.
CLUB 200 REINVENTS ITSELF
The GLBT club, privately owned, is building up to its own 25th birthday next year and is thriving according to co-owner and manager Allen Morrisson, who says the business has shown good growth in the past two years.
POETRY: A SURPRISING BEARD
What happens when a four-year-old girl insists she can grow a beard any time she wants? Is she a budding lesbian or trans-guy? Is she merely expressing her defiance at stereotypes at an early age? Poet Marilyn Bell explores the possibilities through the eyes of a precocious child.
FASHION
Walking down the aisle of fashion this season was the most colourful bridal party of vibrant hues seen in years. This confirmation of colourblocking is the no. 1 trend to marry for spring. Bright, bold and in every tone of the rainbow, this Pride, say "I do" to saturated suiting and bright bottoms for a guaranteed way to turn a party of one into a party of fun.
PRIDE WEEK EVENTS
Wednesday May 23 through Sunday, June 3, 2012
THE PERFECT PRIDE COSTUME
Beyonce, Brittaney and Tyra Banks have nothing on Sofonda Cox, mostly because she's been all of them tucked into one – literally.
EDEN AS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT
We all know the tale of a boy and a girl, an apple and a snake. And we know what it was like to be a teenager – a time when we rolled our eyes at the things our parents told us and rebelled by getting forbidden piercings or coloured our hair in outrageous colours. And if we’re lucky, we know what it is like to belong to a family and understand the notion that blood really is thicker than water and that it is possible to share a trust that supersedes all else.
