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Vancouver Pride 2011 in photos (Wordless Wednesday)

Raul — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:45:55 +0000

Happy Pride, Vancouver!

Raul — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:07:19 +0000

I’m proud to live in a city where sexual and racial diversity are so widely celebrated. Despite some recent controversy around whether the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival is vulgar, I think it’s important to realize that GLBTQ groups have been marginalized for a long, long time, and that Pride represents the celebration of that fight, of the achievements that queers have attained. In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) declared that homosexuality was not a disease, and yet we still see anti-gay bigotry, we still bear witnesses to gay bashings and gay youth suicides. This should not be happening in 2011.

Let’s celebrate being lucky to live in a city and a country that embraces sexual diversity. Because as Pierre Elliott Trudeau said, government has no place in the bedrooms of Canadians. Happy Pride 2011, Vancouver.

Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival 2011 (Pride Week in Vancouver)

Raul — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:42:05 +0000

Normally, I would spend a substantial amount of time preparing to cover the Vancouver Pride Parade throughout the West End and the subsequent Festival at Second Beach, and not only attend the events of Pride Week 2011, which begins with Picnic in the Park on Saturday July 23rd and ends on Sunday July 30th with the Vancouver Pride Parade. But my Mom is here for the month of July, and spending time with her takes precedence over any event coverage, even if it is directly relevant to my blog and lifestyle. But there’s a lot that I owe to Pride and to the queer community in Vancouver, and thus I think it’s important that I highlight what’s coming up next week.

The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) puts a lot of effort into this amazing celebration of queer culture. I was watching Milk (the movie) with my Mom the other day and we both were shedding tears by the end of it. I think it should be required viewing for everybody, as it is a beautiful piece of art about acceptance and love (regardless of sexual orientation). I think it’s important to reflect on what the goal of Pride is and what it means for queer youth and adults.

The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) brings together members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTTQ community by producing quality, inclusive events such as the Pride Parade and Festival. We strive to produce events that reflect the pride the LGBTTQ community has in itself and its contribution to the larger community. In doing so, the VPS strengthens a sense of community, and as such contributes to the vibrancy, health and overall well-being of all persons in the LGBTTQ community. In achieving our goals, we both operate within the framework set out in our Constitution and By-laws, and operate with due regard to the responsibilities outlined in the Society Act.

I would very strongly encourage you to attend the events of the Vancouver Pride Week 2011. I feel very blessed that in the past 2-3 years, I’ve become really good friends with many of the folks who cover queer issues in the media, both mainstream and in the social media realm. That’s one of the great things I gained from participating in the blogging world: great new friends. And I look forward to celebrating Pride with them next Sunday as well as with my Mom.

You can check the calendar of events for Vancouver Pride Week 2011 here. Several other of my friends in the queer community have posted their previews, which you can check below.

MyWebbSite
GayVancouver
Homorazzi
V-Rag
PINQ

Games People Play: Curated Visual Arts Exhibition and the Pride in Art Community Show

Raul — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:15:42 +0000

‘Maturity means to have rediscovered the seriousness one had as a child at play.’ -Friedrich Nietzsche

For obvious reasons, I have a big stake in promoting GLBT (queer) issues, and one of the festivals I look forward the most is the Queer Arts Festival (having written about it last year). Thus it is my pleasure to invite you to the Opening Night for 2 Visual Arts Shows on July 26th at 7pm. FREE admission.

Games People Play: Curated Visual Arts Exhibition opens on July 26th at 7 pm and is on exhibit everyday until August 13th at 11 pm at the Roundhouse Exhibition Hall (181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC, Canada), 11 am-10 pm weekdays and 11 am-4:30 weekends

To celebrate the North America Outgames in Vancouver this summer, the Queer Arts Festival has chosen Games People Play as its theme for 2011. And I really love their rationale behind it:

Queer cultures often emphasize elements of game-play: from camp to butch/femme to strictures of “straight looking/straight acting”, we play around with identity and its shadows of artifice, passing and trespassing. The curators are encouraging artists to queer the idea of games and play: board games, bored games, war games, mind games, drinking games, parlor games, gender games, games theory, game shows, word play, gun play, foreplay, BDSM play, playing the fool, playing by ear, playing along, playing around, playing for the team, playback, playmates, team sports, blood sport, water sports… With this exuberance of possibilities we will build a show of divergent investigations; a game for viewers to trace commonalities and conflicts along the through-line of gaming.

Curated by Persimmon Blackbridge, SD Holman and Jeff Gibson. I really hope you can attend, it will be some of the best art you’ve seen.

What Pride means to me #VanPride 2010

Raul — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:14:34 +0000

Vancouver’s Pride is one of those celebrations that has a lot of meaning to me. It’s not only about the awesome parade, the costumes, the music, the dancing and the after party. For me, Pride is about acceptance. Pride is a celebration of a society that doesn’t care who you love and what your sexuality is, but accepts you for who you are. Pride is all about community and sharing.

Pride Vancouver 2010 was, to me, a lot about friendships, new and old.

With Caroline McGillivray broadcasting live from the CiTR 101.9 FM (CiTR is UBC’s radio station). I was interviewed by Caroline for Sexy in VanCity Radio.

With Mark Robins and his partner David (from GayVancouver.Net). I want to thank David and Mark especially for opening their home to me and making me part of their Pride celebration. It would have been much less of an experience if I hadn’t hung out with them during Pride.

I spent much of my evening and afternoon with Minna Van, Jay Catalan (The Network Hub), Don and Alisha Mann (amVentures) (and about 5 minutes with Josh Rimer). These folks really enriched my Pride experience. Also, good times at Speakeasy. I never thought that bar was so good! The service was simply top-notch, even though they were swamped with people! And the food was good, the drinks were great.

Thanks also to Russ Benger and Gus Fosarolli, two of my closest friends, for joining me for part of the Parade and lunch at Urban Burger (blog post forthcoming). Gus and Russ are pretty much part of my family and I love spending momentous occasions with them.

This Pride was amazing to me, and I am grateful to each and every one of the folks who made it so amazing for me. Much love always. And Vancouver, Happy Pride!

Queer Arts Festival 2010 at the Yaletown Roundhouse

Raul — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:12:14 +0000

On Tuesday July 27th, the 2010 Queer Arts Festival in Vancouver kicked off at the Yaletown Roundhouse Community Centre. The first week is held within Vancouver Pride Week 2010, the Queer Arts Festival by Pride in Art extends beyond Pride Week and goes all the way up until August 14th, 2010. Tickets available at Little Sisters, Rhizome Café and Banshee Clothing

The remaining tickets available at the door (Cash Only). Amongst the great performances, I noticed one by Morgan Brayton, whom I absolutely adore. On Thursday 12 August at 7:30pm, One + One: James Howell & Morgan Brayton Solo Show Double Bill at the Exhibition Hall & Performance Centre. These two solo shows of edgy comedy: Morgan Brayton’s Raccoonery! and James Howell’s Take Down Your Panties on Main Street, look like they’ll be a lot of fun.

The other thing I am totally looking forward is the Chosen Family exhibit:

Saturday 14 Aug 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Chosen Family Portraits
Exhibition Hall
ADMISSION FREE

Since 2007, celebrating and documenting the history of our chosen family has been the guiding purpose of the Queer History Project. We believe that our stories and our genealogies are best shared through artistic vision and community participation.

We are pleased to introduce you to our next Queer History Project community-based creation: Chosen Family Portraits with Artist-in-Residence, photographer Sarah Race.

Chosen Family Portraits is a photography project that invites you—our Festival audience and dynamic communities—to model with your chosen family. Pose with your partner(s), your best friends, the folks you celebrate your birthday with, or the folks whose shoulders you cry on. Share your own chosen family history. These portraits will be unveiled at a special Queer History Project celebration in Summer 2011 in partnership with Pride in Art, Xtra! West, Qmunity and the 2011 Vancouver Out Games.

During our eleven-day Festival, Queer History Project will host a mobile portrait studio at various venues. For more information or make an appointment at the chosen family portrait studio, please email
chosenfamily@outonscreen.com. Co-presented with the Vancouver Queer Film Festival

Vancouver Pride Week 2010 at J Lounge

Raul — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:19:00 +0000

photo credit: Loozrboy

I’ve been to the J Lounge (formerly Jupiter Lounge) many a time during the last decade. Ever since I moved to Vancouver, and particularly since many of my good friends seem to enjoy living in the West End, we have ended up at J Lounge at some point or another (two of my closest friends used to live near Davie and Bute, where J Lounge is located).

Terry Costa (Mirateca) alerted me to a number of events he’s hosting at J Lounge, and I’m going to attend a few of the ones listed below:

PRIDE WEEK CELEBRATIONS @ J LOUNGE
1216 Bute Street (off Davie) 604. 609.6665

SUNDAY, JULY 25th
3pm – SHOW YOUR COLOURS T-DANCE with DJ Jeffery Michael and DJ Marc Tattoo; no cover.

9pm – THE VANCOUVER SISTERS RAINBOW KICK OFF, an evening of comedy, music and friends. Doors 8pm. Show 9pm $10 – $20 (sliding scale) Proceeds from the event will support the Sister’s community grant program.

*****
MONDAY, JULY 26th
8pm – WOMYN RULE! TOPS & BOTTOMS – all the funniest females in the company will be battling it out in this popular improvisational competition; no cover.

10pm – INTIMATE & INTERACTIVE – founding artistic director David C Jones hosts three of your favorite Bobbers in this one hour cross between a probing talk show and no holds barred house party. Revealing, honest and wickedly funny; no cover.

*****
TUESDAY, JULY 27th
7pm – QUEER SHORTS ON SCREEN hosted by Josh Rimer; Vancouver film and video makers see their work on our massive screen; no cover.

9pm – KARAOKE with Gogan; no cover.

*****
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28th
8pm – DECONSTRUCTING DYNASTY with David C. Jones – discover the joys and the excesses of the 80′s as a Middle Aged Fag reveals the secrets, joys and wonders of the classic camp TV Series.

10pm – LIVE WEDNESDAYS PLUGGED IN presents live music with Matthew Presidente, Tara C Taylor and friends; no cover.

*****
THURSDAY, JULY 29th
6pm – [Open HeArt] presents PICTURE THIS, a multi-media celebration of queer artistry from photography to performance art with upbeat rockin’ dj sets. $5 b4 10pm, $7 after 10pm till late.

*****
FRIDAY, JULY 30th
12noon – OFFICIAL PRIDE WEEKEND LAUNCH

7pm – BROADWAY DIVAS live show with the voices of Lorraine Foster and Patricia Duval. $10

10pm – NIGHT MARKET: 2 Rooms 5 DJs; Special guests: DJ China G (San Francisco) Lady Tragik (Oakland) J-iLL (Toronto) w/ DJ Analog, DJ Riot & Lisa DeLux; Hosted by Brigee K. $10 cover.

*****
SATURDAY, JULY 31st
2pm – Big Roger Events present FRISKY, a T-DANCE with superstar DJ Alyson Calagna (Miami) and adult star Reese Rideout. $25+

9pm – PRIDE IN CONCERT: LIVE WITH PRIDE @ J LOUNGE presents a California invasion of performers in concert including Cassidy Haley (LA), Kim Kuzma (Palm Springs) and Fans of Jimmy Century (San Francisco) $20 tixs available at Little Sister’s Bookstore

*****
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1st
3pm – Martini Presents the 9th Annual TROUBLE PRIDE T-Dance with the Out For Kicks Soccer Club on the TWO fabulous decks of J Lounge at 3pm thru 8 on Pride Sunday! Advance tickets $15 at Little Sisters. Join the soccer gang for this annual favorite for the friendly crowd.

9pm – SMUDGE CAB-A-RETro; the unstoppable Conni Smudge hosts this hilarious cabaret of song, drag and surPrizes $10
*****
MONDAY, AUGUST 2nd
12noon – HOT GAY DJ Grand Finale; 8 DJS, 2 rooms + patio; one winner; do not miss this exciting production 8 hours straight all day long until there is only one DJ standing. $10

8pm – BOY POWER! TOPS & BOTTOMS; it’s raining men the day after the parade! The cleverest hottest boys in the company perform competitive Hangover Improv; no cover.

10pm – MISS STRETCH’S REMEDIAL CABARET; the hilarious Julia Stretch hosts and presents this hour long cabaret of comedy, song and audaciously saucy acts that will leave you laughing and a little shocked; no cover.

Vancouver Pride 2010 Coverage

Raul — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:45:46 +0000

photo credit: anitakhart

A few days ago, I asked on Twitter whether people expected me to cover Vancouver Pride 2010. I absolutely loved Pride 2007, when I was joined by some of my best and closest friends. I missed Pride 2008 as I was in Mexico for the summer, and last year was fun (I joined the celebrations with Gus and Russ for a few hours and had brunch at Karen Parker’s). But I wasn’t sure whether I’d be doing much coverage of Pride this year. I have been overwhelmed all year (teaching 4 courses from January to April 2010 was exhausting, and keeping on top of my research and my social media, and my consulting). But I was also privileged to be able to do some of the unique coverage of Pride and GLBT events, including Pride House in Vancouver for the Vancouver 2010.

I now have a much larger and broader readership than I had in 2008 and 2009. I am substantially more connected to the online community that covers GLBT issues (including Sean Horlor for Xtra West, Gay Vancouver, V-Rag Magazine, Qmunity, PINQ and Homorazzi, etc.) I don’t see my blog as much as an “all-things Vancouver” blog, but I can see how people would appreciate that coverage. So, I will have to contact some of the people who do the PR for Vancouver Pride to get media access to the events.

The first event that kicks off the 2010 celebration of Vancouver Pride is East Side Pride tomorrow June 26th starting at 11am. I will probably drop by with my Mom, who is visiting town. To check the full listing you can check the Pride website events listing.

You Gotta Be OUT Here at BC Pavilion (Vancouver 2010)

Raul — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:31:29 +0000

Last night, I was invited by the kind folks of the government of British Columbia to a somewhat-secret event. I wasn’t given many details, all I knew is that “I was on the list”. Given that I always have wanted to be a secret agent in another life, I figured to myself “heck, the invite comes from a dear friend of mine, and it’s from the government of BC, so I kind of can’t say no”. Am I ever glad I didn’t say no! I ended up at a really wonderful party hosted by Vancouver Pride, and the planning/project management team of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. You can see a promotional video here.

The goal of this event was to share and bask in the excitement of having the first-ever Pride House, celebrating gay pride. The event, You Just Gotta Be OUT Here! was hosted by Sally Barton and Claire Squires. I bumped into many familiar faces and dear friends from the GLBT community, and it was nice to be hosted at the Vancouver Art Gallery. While I didn’t stay for too long, I fulfilled one of my biggest dreams: I met Mark Tewksbury in person (and even got a photograph with him!). Mr. Tewksbury won the gold medal in the 100 metres backstroke at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. An openly gay former athlete, Mr. Tewksbury is a fantastic role model.

We all can strive to be more like Mark Tewksbury. I was very happy to get a chance to share some Olympic Pride with him and a number of other fantastic folks from the GLBT community in Vancouver. You can visit Pride House on Bute near Davie, it is hosted at the Qmunity building. Thanks to the BC Gotta Be Here team for the invite!

Vancouver Pride 2009

Raul — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:17:19 +0000

Vancouver Pride Week 2009 is upon us and I almost completely missed the boat. Not because I am not interested, but simply because there are so many events this week (and I’m still recovering from Blogathon) that I really haven’t paid much attention.

Credit:no1nose

Criticisms of the Vancouver Pride Parade 2009 are a dime a dozen, but the truth is that, while everybody is entitled to his/her opinion, this coming Sunday’s Parade begun as (and continues to be) a celebration of the diversity of sexual orientations in our communities.

It’s been a long struggle, one that I’m not sure anybody who has never been subject to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation would be able to fully understand. I certainly believe that the community I’m immersed in is really understanding.

I am not particularly impressed by some of the displays in the parade, admittedly, but that doesn’t mean that I’m any less supportive of them.

I will be attending the Pride Parade on Sunday (I will be available on my phone or by text but not online) and I will also be at Pride in Fashion. The rest of this Pride weekend may end up being a blur. And my brain is still not working well.

Are you going to Pride? And if so, which events?

Pride in Fashion (upcoming event, Thurs July 30th, 2009)

Raul — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:55:53 +0000

I’m a big supporter of Pride, the series of events that highlight and celebrate the sexual diversity of our community in Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland. I mentioned in an earlier post that I was a bit conflicted as to which events I would attend because there are so many and only one Raul. But this one, I *will* attend: Pride in Fashion.

My dear friend Shallom Johnson (StyleFinds) is helping with the event so I’m also helping spread the word (not only because I strongly support Pride but also because Shallom is my friend. And I’m all about helping my friends (because what goes around, comes around too – karma, you know!). From the media release:

On Thursday, July 30, gay culture strikes a pose at Celebrities nightclub in Vancouver Pride Week’s fiercest event: PRIDE In Fashion. Featuring some of the city’s top male models, a performance by the urban dance collective House of LaDouche, music and images from four decades on the gay club dance floor, and high-drama styling by The Lounge Hair Studio, PRIDE In Fashion reminds us that Pride isn’t always about rights: sometimes it’s about being fabulous.

PRIDE In Fashion
Thursday, July 30
Celebrities, 1022 Davie St., 604.681.6180
Doors 9 p.m., Show starts at 11 p.m., club open until 4 a.m.
$20 Advance at Little Sister’s Bookstore (1238 Davie St.), Priape (1148 Davie St.), Boys’Co (1044 Robson St.) and online at Celebritiesnightclub.com
$25 At the door

Coverage of Pride Vancouver by the mainstream media

Raul — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:40:20 +0000

This is just a short post as I don’t really feel like blogging right now, but it’s an idea that I just couldn’t let pass. I do love 24Hrs, particularly since in the past month, I’ve been covered (twice, with the SteakCamp-Buzz Bishop challenge and a lovely interview that Rebecca was kind enough to invite me to join (for Blogathon 2008).

Well, the thing is – Pride is a really relevant event in Vancouver, yet I found the coverage by 24Hrs.ca rather thin. Whereas Metro Vancouver had a substantially larger coverage. I just found out that The West Ender had a whole issue dedicated to Pride (whereas the Georgia Straight didn’t). This puzzles me, quite frankly. Why some mainstream media outlets choose to cover Pride and some others not, or why cover it in such a light, sort of ‘overview’ way. Just wondering.