view online at winnipegfreepress.com/ publications
June 5-14, 2015
May 28, 2015 • Supplement to the winnipeg free press
40-3965 PORTAGE AVE | POINTE WEST AUTOPARK
2015 BUICK ENCORE
2015 GMC SIERRA
2015 CHEVROLET VOLT
FIRST PRICE, BESTPRICE
204-837-5811 birchwoodchevrolet.ca CALL TODAY!
www.bigchad.ca
CHAD loves a parade !
CHAD was one of the original Village people!
WE FINANCE EVERYONE NOBODY TURNED AWAY!!!! • WE FINANCE EVERYONE NOBODY TURNED AWAY!!!!!
CHAD really is Ru-Paul!
2015 CHRYSLER 200 LX *LIKE NEW!!* ONLY 2400 KMS $19,999 *L
2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE LT 1LT TURBOCHARGED*LIKE NEW* ONLY 40 KMS $20,488
We Would Love To Attend Your Big Event!!! Visit Us At www.Bankapproved.ca
CHAD believes in Peace & Love for all humans HAPPY PRIDE DAY
2015 CHEVROLET COLORADO “TRUCK OF THE YEAR” BRAND NEW $30,270
2014 CHEVROLET EQUINOX 1LT CONVENIENCE PKG Starting at $25,999
WE FINANCE EVERYONE NOBODY TURNED AWAY!!!! • WE FINANCE EVERYONE NOBODY TURNED AWAY!!!!
STAY DRIVING, MY FRIENDS 1-888-290-4811 www.bankapproved.ca
pride of the prairies
03
Pride Winnipeg president Jonathan Niemczak sees a need to expand awareness of LGBT history. Photo by Darcy Finley
Natural Progression Pride Evolution is slow and not always steady
ity, where two-spirited individuals (a term coined in Winnipeg in 1990) have gone from positions of great influence in their tribes to their current, post-colonial status as objects of scorn and derision. And as Niemczak points out, intolerance also exists within the LGBT community itself — as evidenced by an uptick in racially-insensitive online activity, and in particular by the continued struggle for acceptance by members of the transgender community. “It’s not unusual to have a gay or lesbian individual be transphobic,” says Niemczak, describing the fight for trans acceptance as one of the final frontiers of the LGBT movement. “We’re trying to do something about that divide — to fight for our trans members, to get them the same equality, rights and freedoms that gays and lesbians now have.” From June 5 - 14, however, Pride organizers will be busy celebrating the above-mentioned mile- stones and those who made them possible, via a jam-packed schedule of events and activities that again culminate with a two-day party at The Forks. They’ll also be celebrating Pride Winnipeg’s growth and progress — from a small grassroots or- ganization that relied heavily on community support, to a self-sustaining powerhouse with a surplus of resources and support to provide to local offshoots. “Thanks to all of that investment by the com- munity, we’re now able to give back — to invest in the community and help them with whatever they need,” says Niemczak, citing Brandon Pride and Thompson’s Pride North of 55 events as proof of the organization’s success. “Seeing that come to fruition, for me, is a very powerful moment.” For more information on this year’s events, visit pridewinnipeg.com ◗
‘If they can do it, we can do it.’ That’s when the de- mands for equal treatment started.” In Canada, 1969 was also the year homosexuality was decriminalized, prompting then-justice minister Pierre Trudeau’s famous quip about the state hav- ing no place in the bedrooms of the nation. (Though as Niemczak points out, it would take several more decades before society really warmed to the con- cept of Canadians living out-and-proud lives.) Here in Winnipeg, the movement’s evolution is perhaps best reflected in the pride parade itself. The city’s first parade in 1987 was a decidedly more intim- ate affair, drawing fewer than 300 people — some of whom marched with bags over their heads, for fear they’d lose their jobs, their families or their friends. These days, attendance at local Pride events is closer to 35,000, and the average “coming out” age sits at around 14, meaning many LGBT teens are no doubt blissfully unaware of the potential sacrifices that process once entailed. “There are so many critical points in our history that are so interesting — it would be great if the younger generation knew more about them,” says Niemczak. “(That knowledge) can be helpful when they come out … they can use it to defuse some of the misconceptions about pride parades, and the pride movement in general. “We’re also hoping it’ll inspire folks to carry the torch — because obviously we’ve still got a ways to go.” That can be especially true in rural areas of the province, where evidence of intolerance keeps rear- ing its ugly head, whether in the debates over Bill 18 (anti-bullying legislation that allows for gay-straight alliances in public schools), the voting down of a pro- posed merger with an LGBT-friendly credit union, or the closure of a small-town restaurant whose owners were repeated targets of homophobic insults. Challenges also exist in the aboriginal commun-
There’s no time like the present for taking stock of the past. That’s the contemplative logic behind Evolution, this year’s Pride Winnipeg Festival theme, which finds organizers injecting a heavier-than-usual dose of self-reflection, education and awareness-raising into their plans. The motif offers a chance to celebrate the many milestones of the LGBT pride movement, while pay- ing tribute to the decades of activism and advocacy that paved the way for today’s culture of compara- tive acceptance. But the history lesson also serves as a (sadly, still) necessary rejoinder to those who continue to ques- tion why LGBT individuals — in light of considerable strides made on issues like gay marriage, military service and basic rights and freedoms — could pos- sibly need their own parade. “Both inside our community and outside, there’s not always a lot of knowledge about the passage of LGBTTQ rights,” says Pride Winnipeg president Jonathan Niemczak, who at 28 was born the same year the festival first launched. “We’re hoping to use this as an educational cam- paign, to explain to people why we have pride — and why we have a pride parade. That in fact, there’s a whole historical context behind it.” That history dates back to 1969, when a police raid on a Greenwich Village gay bar triggered a series of violent protests now known as the Stonewall Riots. The incident served as a flashpoint for members of the LGBT community, who in turn launched activ- ist groups and support networks across the contin- ent. Within a year, the very first pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, further mobilizing the community and for- cing society at large to sit up and take notice. “It was a spark,” says Niemczak. “All of a sudden, everyone in the community looked at Stonewall like,
June 5-14, 2015
04
Shandi Strong overcame obstacles in her own life. Now, her story helps and inspires others. Photo by Darcy Finley
Positive Transition Winnipeg Pride Parade
Grand Marshal Shandi Strong
There was a point in Shandi Strong’s life when she found herself sitting on her kitchen floor, deciding which knife she should use to slit her wrists. Back then, she couldn’t imagine how dramatically her life would change, and how her experience would inspire others. “It got really dark there for a while, so I withdrew. I didn’t think I had any friends. I wasn’t eating,” Strong says. “Now everything’s coming up golden. I’m happy; I have a brand-new car, a nice house, wonderful friends, and a woman I’ve been dating for two years, whom I’m madly in love with.The struggles were tough, but they were overcome, and so worth it.”
story continued on page 06>
Happy Pride! We Are Proud to Stand Up for All Manitobans
Greg Selinger
Ron Lemieux MLA for Dawson Trail 204-878-4644 Ron-Lemieux.ca
Erna Braun MLA for Rossmere 204-667-7244 ErnaBraun.ca
Jim Rondeau MLA for Assiniboia 204-888-7722 JimRondeau.mb.ca
Christine Melnick MLA for Riel 204-253-5162 ChristineMelnick.ca
MLA for St. Boniface Premier of Manitoba
204-237-9247 GregSelinger.ca
Deanne Crothers MLA for St. James 204-415-0883 DeanneCrothers.ca
Flor Marcelino MLA for Logan 204-788-0800 FlorMarcelino.ca
Nancy Allan MLA for St. Vital 204-237-8771 NancyAllan.ca
Sharon Blady MLA for Kirkfield Park
Dave Gaudreau MLA for St. Norbert 204-261-1794 DaveGaudreau.ca
204-832-2318 SharonBlady.ca
Andrew Swan MLA for Minto 204-783-9860 AndrewSwan.ca
Melanie Wight MLA for Burrows 204-421-9414 MelanieWight.ca
Gord Mackintosh MLA for St. Johns 204-582-1550 GordMackintosh.ca
Jennifer Howard MLA for Fort Rouge 204-946-0272 JenniferHoward.ca
Kevin Chief MLA for Point Douglas 204-421-9126 KevinChief.ca
June 5-14, 2015
06
> story continued from page 04
Pride Winnipeg’s advocacy coordinator. “I feel like I’m helping somebody just by sharing my story. (Speaking out) is something I’m proud of and want to continue doing for as long as possible,” she says. “It’s an incredible honour to be thought of so highly and to lead this parade.” In 2010, Strong achieved her long-time dream of gender-reassignment surgery. When the bandages were removed and she saw her new body for the first time, she wept with joy. “I was complete — it just felt right.The struggle dis- appeared; the stress disappeared,” she says. Strong doesn’t agree with the old adage that transgender people were born in the “wrong” bodies. “Our bodies are our bodies. There are just a couple little alterations that need to be done.” She knew she was different from a young age, but didn’t understand why. “I didn’t know what it was back in elementary school. I knew I got along better with girls,” she says. “As a child, you don’t know about rules until someone points them out to you.” When she was seven years old, her father put a stop to their traditional goodnight hug and kiss. “My dad said, ‘No, men don’t hug and kiss. Men shake hands.’ That affected me for decades,” says Strong. “I wanted to hug my dad. Why couldn’t I hug my dad? If I’d been a little girl, I would have been al- lowed to hug him. Girls had a bit more freedom of expression when it came to their emotions.” While her parents needed some time to adjust, she says they’ve been very supportive. “Trans people risk losing their friends and families. My dad has come a long way. My mom said that she didn’t know how to explain me to her friends. We’ve had some issues, but I love and respect my mom a lot,” Strong says. “If it wasn’t for her, I’d have a differ- ent outlook on life.” ◗
Strong’s story is one of survival, and one that res- onates with many in the LGBTTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi- sexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer) community, making her a natural choice for this year’s Pride Win- nipeg Parade Grand Marshal — the first transgender Grand Marshal in the history of the festival. In 2009, Strong went public with her decision to undergo gender-reassignment surgery. Within weeks, she’d lost her job and her marriage. “It messed me up real bad, but you can’t give up. You have to believe in yourself and you have to take care of yourself. Do something that feels good just because you want to do it,” she says. “Reach out to your friends. Don’t give up on the idea that there are people who care about you — because there are.” Thankfully, one of Strong’s daughters intervened on the day she had planned to take her life. Anti-de- pressants, counselling from the Rainbow Room, and support from her friends and the LGBTTQ commun- ity helped her heal. She’d been active in the community since 2008, but with some encouragement, she began to tell her story. “Most trans people are terribly shy.They just want to live under the radar, but invisibility harms us — people are free to make up their own minds about us without knowing us,” Strong says. “We have the same wants, desires, and needs everyone else has. People need to see us to realize we’re just like them.” After suddenly losing her job of 15 years, Strong struggled to find new employment, often wondering if being transgender was the reason she wasn’t get- ting hired. For a while she juggled three part-time jobs and took in tenants in order to make ends meet. She recently secured a full-time management position, and she’s earned the respect of the community as a vocal role model, appearing as a keynote speaker at the 2015 OUTShine Conference in May and acting as
Along with the Grand Marshal, the Pride Winnipeg Parade has two honorary marshals.The Honorary Youth Marshal is Maree Rodriguez, whose anti- bullying efforts have included organizing a PinkT-shirt Day kickoff rally.The Honorary Community Group Marshal is the Manitoba Association for Rights & Liberties (MARL), a non-profit organization that’s been raising awareness and defending rights and liberties for more than 37 years. The Parade starts atthe Manitoba Legislature at 12 p.m. on Sunday, June 14.
WISHING YOU A VIBRANT, SEXY,
DELICIOUS, GAY PRIDE WEEK
179 BANNATYNE AVE | (204) 947-5434
Normally we get excited about new technology.
Today MTS is proud to sponsor Pride Winnipeg.
MTS design mark is a registered trademark of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., used under license.
June 5-14, 2015
08
parade route
VIA RAIL
YORK AVE.
FINISH HERE
PARTICIPANTS TO MEMORIAL PARK
VIA RAIL
BROADWAY
EMPTY FLOATS BACK TO MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
DOG STOP WATER OASIS
START
HERE
MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
RALLY AT 11:00 a.m.
Photos by RollanTemprosa
Experience Winnipeg’s Most Memorable view from a Magnificent point of view
LUNCH 11 am - 1:30 pm SUNDAY BRUNCH 10:30 - 1:30 WHISKEY LOUNGE Friday + Saturday from 4pm till close
83 Garry Street 204 505 2680 prairie360.ca
Visit us and enjoy complimentary parking at 83 Garry street parkade In support of the Pride of the Prairies
pride of the prairies
09
Pride ofthe Prairies June 5-14, 2015 What’s on duringthe Pride Winnipeg Festival
SUNDAY JUNE 7
THE 2ND (LOOKS LIKE IT’S ANNUAL!) OTHERS’ DAY SALE Rainbow Resource Centre, 170 Scott St. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Art sale. Shop for that special “Other” in your life and support the Society of OUT-
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
PRIDE VIGIL Manitoba Legislature Grounds 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
REEL PRIDE: BEST INTERNATIONAL GLBTTQ COMMERCIALS Bandwidth Theatre, 587 Ellice Ave. 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. Fundraiser for the Reel Pride Film Festival, featuring the year’s best LGBT commercials from around the world. Admission $10 www.reelpride.org
Gathering to remember those who’ve lost their lives and dedicated their lives to the struggle for equal rights.
Standing Artists. Free admission
MONDAY JUNE 8
PRIDE GOLF Southside Golf Course 1:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Texas Scramble, contests, auction, dinner and dance. Presented by RONA (775 Panet Rd.) All proceeds go to Rainbow Resource Centre. Register at www.rainbowresourcecentre.org/golf THE BIRDCAGE The GoodWill Social Club, 625 Portage Ave. 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. A Tribute Dance Party, featuring DJ J. Jackson & Mama Cutsworth, with special guest Andy_2_K. Hosted by Tyra Boinks. Admission $10
INDIAN TACO TIME Crossways In Common, 222 Furby St. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Social event to experience Aboriginal culture and food, with bingo and
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
PITCH FOR PRIDE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT Old Exhibition Grounds, Dufferin Avenue & Sinclair Street 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Rain date: Sunday, June 7) Softball tournament, food and drink vendors. All proceeds go to the Snowy Owl Monarchist Society charitable organization. Registration $100 per 10-person team. Free to spectators. Contact Allen at Club 200: 204-943-6045 or email: club200@mts.net
entertainment. Free admission www.twospiritmanitoba.ca
(cont on pg 10)
Winnipeg’s only Brazilian BBQ wishes you a great Gay Pride week
270 WATERFRONT DRIVE • (204) 505-0945
June 5-14, 2015
10
Pride ofthe Prairies June 5-14, 2015 What’s on duringthe Pride Winnipeg Festival (cont from pg 9)
THURSDAY JUNE 11
TUESDAY JUNE 9
PRIDE DAZE The Handsome Daughter, 61 Sherbrook St. 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. With DJ J. Jackson and Andy_2_K! All proceeds go to Ben & Liam’s Top
QUEERIOUS OPENING RECEPTION Edge Gallery, 611 Main St. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. A celebration of Winnipeg’s vibrant arts community and its diverse LGBT artists.
PRIDE IN BUSINESS NETWORKING RECEPTION RBC Dominion Securities, 31st Floor – 201 Portage Ave. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Surgery Fund. Admission $10
On June 11- 16. Free admission www.edgevillage.com
LGBT* Chamber of Commerce networking, socializing event.
SATURDAY JUNE 13
Free for members, $25 for non-members. RSVP required. www.MB-LGBT.biz/events
WINNIPEG FRONTRUNNERS PRIDE RUN Stephen Juba Park 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Inaugural 5K Pride Run/walk. Registration $40 at www. winnipegfrontrunners.ca/
ONE GAY CITY DOCUMENTARY SCREENING Roblin Centre, Red River College, 160 Princess St. 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Director Aaron Floresco’s documentary One Gay City: A History of LGBT Life in Winnipeg. Free admission (One Gay City also screens at Cinematheque June 4 & June 6 at 9 p.m. The June 6 screening will be introduced by Aaron Fluoresco) BIG FAT DRAG QUEEN Park Theatre, 698 Osborne St. 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. The return of the 2014 Winnipeg Fringe Festival hit. Admission $10 in advance, $15 at the door
LESBIAN LUBE WRESTLING 4.0 Club 200, 190 Garry St. 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Cheer on your favourite lube-star. Admission $10.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 10
RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTRE OPEN HOUSE/COMMUNITY BARBECUE Rainbow Resource Centre, 170 Scott St. 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Meet the staff, learn about the centre and enjoy a beef or veggie dog. Admission by donation www.rainbowresourcecentre.org FUNKY MONKEY DODGEBALL & OTHER FUN GAMES 980 Palmerston Ave. 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Gym class was never this fun. Play dodgeball, capture the flag, pinball and more. Registration $10, email: funkymonkeymovement@gmail.com
PRIDE FESTIVAL ATTHE FORKS 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. PrideMART, Queer Beer from Half Pints Brewing Company, artisans, food vendors, Winnipeg Blue Bombers KidZONE inflatable obstacle course and games. Live entertainment on the mainstage featuring spoken word and music performances, with DJ Danno and DJ Danthrax. Free admission
FRIDAY JUNE 12
FLAG RAISING City Hall, 510 Main St. 12:15 p.m. Official rainbow-flag raising ceremony at City Hall. Free
From your friends at
portageplace.mb.ca
CONSUMER CHOICE AWARD WINNER FROM 2009 - 2015
204-475-7522
Like us on @a1nutrition.net
Grant Park Shopping Centre | www.a1nutrition.net
pride of the prairies
11
tom goss pride festival at the forks
PRIDE FESTIVAL ATTHE FORKS 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. PrideMART, Queer Beer from Half Pints Brewing Company, artisans, food vendors,Winnipeg Blue Bombers KidZONE inflatable obstacle course and games. Live entertainment on the mainstage starting at 1:30 p.m. with co-hosts Cheron Sharelike and Adam Jennings. Featuring U.S. power-pop star Tom Goss, Halfway to Hollywood,The Help Wanteds, Martha My Dear,Those Guys,Womyn of Pride, Pride Mainstage Divas (Cheron Sharelike, Lita Takeela, Victoria Lush, Jynx Nouveau and Satina Loren),We Won the War, Face to the Sky, DJ C8E and DJ Fleur. Free admission PRIDE WINNIPEG 2015 OFFICIAL CLOSING PARTY: GLOSSY The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre, 281 Donald St. 7 p.m. - 3 a.m. Cocktails at 7 p.m. and DJ Party at 9 p.m., featuring DJ Drew G of Dirty Pop and Internet sensation Cazwell. Admission $30; $60 All Access Details and tickets at pridewinnipeg.com QPOC WINNIPEG AND QUEERVIEW PRESENT: COLOUR ME QUEER The Goodwill Social Club, 625 Portage Ave. 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Hip-hop dance party. Proceeds go to QPOC
PRIDEYOUTH DANCE PARTY! West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Ave. 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. The Rainbow Resource Centre and Queerview invite young LGBTTQIA* folks to an all-ages Pride dance party. Free admission AWE (A WOMEN’S EVENT) Cheer Bar & Grill, 437 Stradbrook Ave. 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. Women’s Dance Party with Womyn of Pride, DJ Fleur, photo booth, prizes and special guests. Admission $20
halfway to hollywood pride festival at the forks
SUNDAY JUNE 14
PRIDE PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER Club 200,190 Garry Street 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Donations support youth initiatives through the Rainbow Resource Centre. www.uuwinnipeg.mb.ca PRIDE SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE Augustine United Church, 444 River Ave. 10:30 a.m. The Rainbow Harmony Project will provide music during the service. Free admission www.augustineunitedchurch.org
Winnipeg scholarship fund. Admission $10 or by donation
RALLY AT THE LEGISLATURE 11 a.m.
For complete information on Pride Winnipeg and the Pride Winnipeg Festival, visit pridewinnipeg.com
PRIDE PARADE 12 p.m.
Starts at Manitoba Legislature. Parade follows route north to York Avenue, east to Garry Street, south to Broadway and back to the Legislature.
cazwell OFFICIAL Closing party
����� ����� �������� ���� ��� ��� ����� � ���������� ��
HAPPY PRIDE WINNIPEG SUMMER FUN H G STARTS WITH A PIT STOP AT
204-947-2865 or 1-800-870-6346
��� ����� ������ � ��������� �� ����� �������� � �������������� ���� �� �� �������� ��� �������
120 Higgins Ave. www.e-rc.ca
Mon - Thur 10am - 6pm , Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10:30am - 6pm :30am- 6pm
12
The LGBT* Chamber of Commerce president Paul Hesse (centre) joined celebrants when the organization rebranded in 2013, following 25 years as the Lambda Business Chamber. Photo by Darcy Finley
LGBT* Means Business Diversity brings economic benefits
more choices for Manitobans.” Known until 2013 as the Lambda Business Cham- ber, the recently-rebranded LGBT* chamber seeks to cultivate and contribute to a thriving commun- ity of LGBT businesses and allies, thus ensuring a strengthened Manitoba economy that’s both sup- portive of and supported by diverse communities. Membership comes with a host of benefits, includ- ing seminars and networking opportunities, business- to-business sales and member-to-member discounts on everything from travel to leadership training. The chamber is also the province’s only affiliate of the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Com- merce’s supplier diversity program, which puts local members in a position to benefit from potential con- tracts with larger organizations seeking to diversify their supply chain. Since its rebrand, the LGBT* chamber has con- tinued to grow its membership, strengthened its relationships with the Winnipeg and Manitoba Cham- bers of Commerce, and drawn healthy crowds to its monthly networking meetings and mixers — even in inclement weather. “(Our April AGM) was standing room only — that was for a breakfast meeting, during a blizzard,” says Hesse. “Trucks were going into the ditches, and we still had standing room only.” Over the coming year, Hesse looks forward to mak- ing further inroads into rural Manitoba, where grow- ing support for the LGBT community is reflected in the success of such events as Brandon Pride and Thompson’s Pride North of 55 festival. Closer to home, the chamber will again play host to its two-day PrideMART during the Pride Winnipeg Festival, gathering member businesses, allies, and other vendors and artisans to The Forks on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14. Chamber members will also mark the week by hosting a Pride in Business after-work mixer, on June 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at RBC Dominion Securities, 201 Portage Ave. For more information on the chamber and its Pride Week plans, visit mb-lgbt.biz . ◗
Thankfully, it’s the exception to the rule these days. But Manitobans nonetheless got a bit of a buzzkill re- cently when reminded LGBT businesses — and even their allies — can still fall victim to the prejudices of the past. Earlier this spring, a proposed merger between the Access and Assiniboine Credit Unions was scuttled when an Access member from Winkler discovered Assiniboine was supportive of the LGBT community. An incensed Facebook post made the rounds, Christian values were invoked, and the merger vote failed by a slim margin — disappointing parties on both sides and again painting rural Manitoba as pain- fully out-of-step with the times. For Paul Hesse, president of the Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce, the vote proves how many opportunities still remain for extending networks fur- ther outside Winnipeg — providing support to LGBT- owned and -allied businesses in markets of all sizes, and spreading the message that being LGBT-friendly is good for business. “It’s not a negative factor that a credit union does business with the LGBT community or employs LGBT people — that’s actually an asset,” says Hesse. “We are all Manitobans, and we all have a right to use services and to be employed. If a credit union reaches out to those customers and employees, they are doing a service, not only to the community but to their organization, as well.” As Hesse notes, the incident comes just two years after a pair of restaurant owners in Morris cited a rash of homophobic incidents as their reason for closing up shop. He says such setbacks are unfortunate not only because of the intolerance on display, but because they deprive smaller towns of economic opportunities. “If a restaurant shuts down in a small community, that’s a loss for the community — it’s a loss of servi- ces and a loss of jobs,” he says. “Awareness, education, networking, and building the idea that having an inclusive community and sup- porting diverse businesses is really good for Mani- toba and the economy. It means more choice for con- sumers, it means more creative businesses opening, and it ultimately means a more vibrant economy and
“
Awareness, education, networking, and building the idea that having an inclusive community and supporting diverse businesses is really good for Manitoba and the economy.
More than 40 years & three generations Happy Pride Winnipeg Forty three years ago Mrs. Usha Mehra brought her passion for India cuisine to Canada. She founded the first North Indian restaurant in Winnipeg, featuring all of her own original recipes. Today, Kamal and Sudha Mehra are joined by their children at The East India Company Restaurant. Classical Indian flavours are presented with a contemporary flair amidst centuries old Indian wood
Proudly celebrating diversity, understanding and acceptance.
carvings, paintings and intricate tapestries; The Mehras would like to invite you to experience the dynamic essence that India is known for.
We specialize in group lunches and dinners.
Consistently featured in Anne Hardy’s Where to Eat in Canada (2007-2031) Voted Best South Asian Restaurant by Winnipeggers for Uptown Magazine’s Best of Review
Winnipeg’s only 20 ★ Restaurant (5 stars in each of 4 categories). - Marion Warhaft, Winnipeg Free Press
www.eastindiaco.com 349 York Ave. (204) 947-3097
Jon Gerrard
MLA for River Heights jongerrardmla.ca
FREE DELIVERY TO DOWNTOWN HOTELS
CELEBRATING OUR15 th YEAR
HOMEOFTHE 2015 NOTT AUTOCORP MANITOBA MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Cordially invites you to A special PRIDE edition of our After Work Mixer presented by Pitblado Law and RBC
Now until May 29th $ 49 95
Manitoba’s Finest Public Golf Course!
to Ride
BRIDGES GOLF COURSE Only 12 minutes from McGillivray and the perimeter To Book Your Tee Time go to bridgesgolfcourse.com or Call 204.735.3000 BRIDGES GOL
Taxes Included
Date: June 9, 2015 Time: 5:30 – 7:30 Location: RBC Building, 31st floor – 201 Portage Avenue Cost: $25 (Free for members) RSVP: www.MB-LGBT.biz/events
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Absolutely No Restrictions! (Includes Golf and Power Cart!)
A MODERN TOUCH TO THE CLASSIC BRITISH PUB CONCEPT
EVENT SPONSOR
Come and meet like-minded business people. Appetizers and refreshments to be served. RSVP required.
Meet community groups, businesses, and local artisans at PrideMART, Saturday, June 13 th and Sunday, June 14 th during Pride Winnipeg’s annual festival at The Forks.
YOUR DESTINATION BEFORE AND AFTER PRIDE 456 MAIN ST | 204.505.1511 HAPPY PRIDE WINNIPEG!
14
When the curtains first went up on Reel Pride Winnipeg — the LGBT film festival’s earliest incarnation, anyway — there was a decidedly bigger void to be filled by those tasked with bringing queer cinema to a wider audience. Fast-forward 30 years and the landscape has changed dramatically, with representations of the LGBT experience in all corners of popular culture. But as Reel Pride prepares to unspool its birthday celebrations later this year, it’s clear the festival continues to play a crucial role in framing those experiences for viewers from all walks of life. First incorporated as a non-profit in 1985 (under its original moniker, the Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society), Reel Pride’s mandate was to showcase the best of the burgeoning LGBT cinema scene, while at the same time fostering public dialogue about queer culture. Still a few years away from the New Queer Cinema movement of the early 1990s — and decades away from such Oscar-approved mainstream fare as Milk, Brokeback Mountain or The Kids Are All Right — early festival organizers had their work cut out for them when it came to both program- ming and promotion. “Obviously there was a little bit of a different climate and a different cul- ture,” says current Reel Pride president Jason van Rooy of the mid- to late- 1980s, when the Film Society first began hosting monthly screenings. “A lot of people weren’t necessarily out to their families or their friends, so it made it that much more difficult to reach the public. I know they worked in conjunction with other community organizations to reach as many people as possible. And obviously they were successful — because we’re still around, 30 years later.” In keeping with this year’s Pride Winnipeg theme, Reel Pride has under- gone its own evolution over the decades, changing its name in 2000 to bet- ter reflect the diversity of the queer community, and widening the scope of its mandate (which now includes short films, commercials, and visual and performance art) to keep step with the changing times. “(The old name) didn’t encompass all the members of our community that we serve, and around whom we want to create a dialogue and bring better understanding,” says van Rooy. “As the years go on, the dialogue changes — even within our own com- Screening Room Celebrating 30Years of Reel Pride
munity — and the art and film that’s available grows and changes. Now we have films about issues well beyond just gay and lesbian rights. We have art and film that we can showcase that really shows all of the different facets and colours of the rainbow flag that we live under.” While LGBT filmmakers have never lacked for interesting stories to tell, the overall production values of their offerings — and queer cinema in gen- eral — have also improved with time, says van Rooy, citing as example the contrast between 2013’s high-gloss teen flick G.B.F. (Gay Best Friend) and the decidedly low-budget charms of the 1996 Canuck indie Lilies. “As acceptance grows in the mainstream media, the quality of materials we can present just goes up,” he says. “You can see the difference in the quality of filmmaking because people are now willing to fund these films about typically under- represented communities.” Now one of North America’s longest-running LGBT film festivals, Reel Pride returns this year with six days worth of programming, from Oct. 13– 18 at the Gas Station Theatre. In keeping with tradition, Reel Pride’s lineup won’t be released until a month prior. (This year’s release party on Sept. 19 — the same date of the Film Society’s debut as a non-profit in 1985 — will also double as a 30th birthday bash.) But eager audiences won’t have to wait that long to get their first taste of the festival. As part of Pride Winnipeg events, Reel Pride will again host a showcase of the year’s best LGBT commercials, with two screenings scheduled for June 5 at the Bandwidth Theatre on Ellice Avenue. As van Rooy and the Reel Pride team (about a dozen board members, plus a team of 20 or so dedicated volunteers) gear up for the festivities, they’re again excited — and yes, proud — to shine a spotlight on the LGBT community, and in doing so, to help enhance the lives of its members and allies, both present and future. “I truly believe the festival has changed peoples lives over its 30 years, and will continue to do so,” says van Rooy. “People will continue to be ex- posed to things they didn’t even know were there for them.” For more information on this year’s festival, visit reelpride.org. ◗
BEST INTERNATIONAL GLBTTQ COMMERCIALS
Celebrating 30 years of
extraordinary film – we keep evolving too!
TWO SHOWS!! June 5, 7pm & 9pm at The Bandwidth Theatre, 587 Ellice Ave. TICKETS $10 at the box office or email: tickets-reelpride@outlook.com
Fundraising Event in Support of Reel Pride Film Festival
Follow us on facebook.com/ReelPrideWpg
REELPRIDE.ORG
On Twitter @ReelPrideWpg
190 Sherbrook Street Winnipeg, Manitoba evansfamilylaw.ca
Innovative solutions
that meet your needs Collaborative Family Law, Negotiated Settlements, Assisted Reproduction Agreements, Spousal and Cohabitation Agreements
Greg Evans 204.992.3242 Lori Ainemer 204.992.3247 James Pullar 204.992.3244
Richard Pollock 204.992.3246 ChauTran 204.992.3250
HAPPY PRIDE WINNIPEG FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT
You Medical Centres WALK IN CLINIC Happy Pride Winnipeg! OPEN SATURDAYS 204-504-5121 359 Johnson Ave. W. | www.youmedicalcentres.com Mon-Fri 8:30am - 3pm Sat. 9am - 1pm
WINNIPEG 200 � 226 Osborne St. N. Winnipeg, MB R3C 1V4 Tel. (204) 982 � 7800
BRANDON Unit C � 1700Paci � cAve. Brandon, MB R7A 7L9 Tel. (204) 727 � 0417
June 5-14, 2015
16
Fashion Statement Rights struggles inspire RainbowTie campaign
Plowman’s posters are intended to make people think about which side of history they want to be on. Photos courtesy of Mackenzie Plowman
They say a picture is worth athousand words. Mackenzie Plowman hopesthe pictures in her RainbowTie campaign will be worth at least as manythoughts.
she says. “I really liked this idea and wanted it to go somewhere.” There wasn’t time to get fabric rainbow ties made for the festival, but paper ties will be on sale for $2 each at the Evolution Exhibit and in the festival’s Merch Tent. Proceeds will be donated to Reaching Out Win- nipeg, an organization that strives to create perma- nent resettlement opportunities for LGBT refugees. Anyone who buys a tie is encouraged to take a selfie wearing it and share the photo on social media with the hashtag #Rainbowtie. “People can wear them in reference to the cam- paign. It would be great if the bowties could actually be a thing,” Plowman says. If all goes well, the campaign won’t end in Winni- peg. Plowman says Pride Winnipeg staff have prom- ised to introduce her to contacts in Calgary and in the U.S. following the local festival. “That would be awesome,” she says. “It would get more traction in the States. I think it would be a good fit if it was campaigned there.” ◗
flect on their positions today,” she says. “Change is slowly being implemented.” Her Rainbow Tie campaign began as a class pro- ject that needed a social awareness theme. “I knew I wanted to do something about gay rights, and I like bowties,” she says. Plowman has always been passionate about LGBT rights. Her best friend in high school was gay, and she says seeing how he was treated might have sparked her interest. “I read lots of articles about it. I like to fight against things that to me seem obviously unfair,” she says. “There’s a lot more I could have said (on the post- ers). It was a challenge to make sure I made effect- ive use of the space. I wanted to make people think without overwhelming them.” The project was well received at Red River Col- lege. When Plowman learned that her instructor had shown her posters to another graphic design class, she decided she should go further with it. She con- tacted Pride Winnipeg and met with Pride Festival organizers in April. “I was really excited when they wanted to meet,”
Plowman, a recent graduate of Red River College’s Graphic Design program, used archival photographs to create a simple but powerful message intended to make people think about LGBT rights. Posters with the slogans Be on the Proud Side of History and Be on the Right Side of History bring to mind social issues of the past, such as women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement, with vintage photographs that have been altered so each person is wearing a rainbow tie. “Society is becoming more accepting of all sexu- alities, but there’s still negativity,” Plowman says. “I wanted to raise awareness and exposure by taking a look at movements in the past and adding the mod- ern touch of the bowtie.” She’s hoping the posters, which will be promin- ently displayed at Pride Winnipeg’s Evolution Exhibit at The Forks, will get people thinking about which side of history they want to be on. “I want people to think about the past, and how people reacted to others who were outsiders back then. How things are compared to how they were. People can see how well things turned out and re-
15
New Campus. New Programs. NewCa
New Possibilities
Business Healthcare Technology Legal Media
Meet me at The Forks.
theforks.com
#MeetMeAtTheForks
������������������� � ������������
P ROUD toS UPPORT PRIDE
for MP WINNIPEG CENTRE
870 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 0P1 Tel. 204-784-4090
Contact / Donate / Volunteer: robertfalcon.ca | 204.289.1997 | info@robertfalcon.ca An MP YOU can be proud of
CHOFSHI Young LGBTQ Jews | Winnipeg
June 5-14, 2015
18
The Rights Stuff Museum exhibits highlight LGBT struggles
A guest stands in a beam of light in front of a seven-foot screen inthe Canadian Museum for Human Rights’Turning Points for Humanity Gallery.
"The massive multi-media show grounds visitors in what human rights means to diverse people," she says. Fitzhenry says plans are underway for a June screening of To Russia with Love, which looks at dis- crimination against LGBT athletes in the lead-up to the Sochi Olympics. "At least two other upcoming programs/new ex- hibits that are directly related to LGBT human rights issues are in the works," she says. Finally, visitors should be aware that the building itself was inclusively designed and seven gender- neutral washrooms can be found throughout the building. ◗
settled. Challenges remain. Homosexuals in Iran continue to be killed. This is just one of the many stories told in Can- adian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) galleries. The museum does not house artifacts to be exhib- ited. It gives safe harbour for ideas to be explored. Many of those ideas will resonate with visitors look- ing to celebrate and explore the rights campaigns of LGBT persons during PrideFest. The best way to share ideas and reinforce a com- mon cause is through storytelling. "Stories of violation, survival, resistance and in- spiration encourage learning from past and present to enter into an emerging rights conversation about the future," says Maureen Fitzhenry, media relations manager for the CMHR. Technology such as digital kiosks, interactive fea- tures, images, film and video are all used to illustrate stories about the rights of people with diverse sex- ual orientation and gender identities. These stories are woven throughout most of the galleries rather than isolated to a single gallery or exhibit. "This approach recognizes that the experiences of all people are connected, and that we must work together to create a better world," says Fitzhenry. The best way to start exploring is at the begin- ning, with the multi-media gallery What are Hu- man Rights?
The story of Arsham Parsi flashes onto the screen. His is a daring story of activism and the creation of community without borders. In his former home of Iran, Parsi, in the eyes of the law, is a criminal. The punishments for his crime range from beatings to death. It is estimated that more than 4,000 homo- sexuals in Iran have been killed since 1979. Risking his life to protect the rights of people of all sexual orientations in Iran, he created a secret Internet chat room for gay men and lesbians, coun- selled suicidal gay teens, and assisted a study about HIV infection. Anonymity can be fragile. In 2005, he was forced to flee to Turkey. He describes crossing the border: "I got so emotional and I couldn’t stop crying that I couldn’t go back anymore." Even inTurkey, he was not safe. While walking with another Iranian refugee, he was attacked by a furi- ous mob while bystanders simply watched. Granted asylum by the UN High Commission for Refugees, he came to Canada. He founded the Iranian Under- ground Railroad for Queer Refugees, securing refu- gee status so individuals can avoid deportation back to countries where they would face persecution. Working with the UN and other support agencies, he assists with housing, jobs, legal aid and counselling. By 2009, over 70% of the people helped by his organization had gained asylum status or been re-
“
Plans are underway for a June screening of To Russia with Love, which looks at discrimination against LGBT athletes in the lead-up to the Sochi Olympics.
1670 Portage Ave 204-775-0451 • Toll Free 1-800-665-1122 e-mail reservations@viscount-gort.com
viscount-gort.com
pride of the prairies
19
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, seen here in rainbow col- ours, overlooks the Pride Festival site at The Forks. Photo by Aaron Cohen
“ Stories of violation, survival, resistance and inspiration encourage learning from past and present to enter into an emerging rights conversation about the future.
Some of the gallery highlights for visitors interested in LGBT issues include: • Protecting Rights in Canada: Explorations of rights issues in Canada’s legal system include the Supreme Court of Canada case of Vriend vs. Alberta, centred on a teacher who lost his job because of his sexual orientation. • Examiningthe Holocaust: Includes an exhibit about the persecu- tion of homosexuals in Nazi Germany, and the brutality of their treatment in concentration camps. •Turning Points for Humanity: Includes gender and sex- ual diversity rights, with introductory narration by Quebec pro-diversity researcher David Risse. This gallery includes Arsham Parsi’s story and the Blue Diamond Society’s work for gay rights in Nepal. • Actions Count: Includes the creation of Pink Shirt Day for action against bullying and homophobia in schools. An interactive table game poses a scenario about establishing a Gay-Straight Alliance school group. • RightsToday: A human rights defender tapestry includes the story of Jamaican Canadian human rights defender Gareth Henry, who has risked his life to support those threatened by homophobia or living with HIV/AIDS. • Canadian Journeys: An exhibit alcove focuses on the fight for same-sex marriage rights. Illuminated wedding photos contributed by couples from across the country form a stylized wedding cake and digital stories. The niche also features artifacts from two pioneering same-sex marriages, including Winnipeg’s Chris Vogel and Rick North.
204-272-6064 204-272-6161
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20Powered by FlippingBook