Vancouver Blogs and Flickrs
GayVancouver.Net Gay Vancouver Online's Official Blog
Vancouver Queer Film Fest wrap-up
It is always a bitter-sweet day after the closing gala of the Vancouver International Queer Film Festival each year. Here's our highlights, by the numbers:# of Feature Films: 10# of Shorts: 31# of Nights Where We Didn't See Any Films: 1# of Parties Attended: 0 (who had time?)# of New Friends Made in Festival Line-ups: 18# of Individual Tweets during the Festival: Way too many to count!And our
Why Pride?
Fresh off another fantastic Pride week in Vancouver it's always good to reflect on why Pride festivities continue to be such a huge deal in the LGBTQ community.For me, this year's Pride celebrations had an extra special meaning as my 73 year old father and his girlfriend, he a devout Catholic, joined us at the parade for the first time. This was actually his idea as I have never thought that he,
Does a B&B have the right to discriminate?
Owners of a bed and breakfast in Grand Forks, British Columbia are before the BC Human Rights Tribunal for allegedly denying a gay male couple a room. According to the B&B owners, Lee and Susan Molnar, this is because of their Christian beliefs.Sorry Molnars, you like every other business in British Columbia cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation. You want to run a business you need to
A sea of pink...
I was one of the lucky ones. While I was always a little different growing up I never really felt the full force of a bully. But I did see others feel the wrath of the school bully.Today is Pink Shirt day across Canada, raising awareness of this major problem. Just how much of a problem is it? According to the Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet) the problem
Take off, eh!
Well, it is finally done. Vancouver is slowly returning to normal after hosting one of the biggest parties it has seen since Expo 86.I can now admit I wasn't really looking forward to the games. I live downtown, work in the 'burbs and I just knew my normally peaceful life was going to be turned upside down what with thousands of people every night in my 'hood and a transit system that has a
Out On Screen needs your help!
We've all heard the news - government arts funding across British Columbia has been cut with arts organizations all across the province feeling the pinch.One queer organization that is definitely feeling the effects of these cuts is Out on Screen, the organizers of the annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival, the Out in Schools programme and the Queer History Project. As a result of the government
Hooking up fearlessly
In the last few days in the news Virgin Mobile has been under fire in Calgary and Mississauga regarding their "provocative" ads showing a man and woman passionately kissing while he touches her buttocks. These ads were considered too sexually exploitative and had to be taken down. Luckily in Vancouver we have not had this happen. I guess we are just more open here and realize this behaviour
Our best of 2009 (or at least the most popular)
We actually resisted doing a review of 2009 (let alone the last decade) at GayVancouver.Net (Gay Vancouver Online) but we saw a great post from Rebecca Coleman who writes The Art of the Business blog, where she listed her top ten posts from 2009. And because we are not above copying a great idea (and besides, isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery) we present our Top Ten Articles for
Thank you Peter
A few days ago our community lost a trailblazer for gay rights in Canada when Peter Corren died. Corren, who along with his partner Murray launched a number of legal challenges that not only transformed gay rights for British Columbians but for all Canadians. Through these various challenges, the Correns have led the fight for same-sex adoption, inclusion of same-sex information in the school
Get cultured in 2010
Since our GayVancouver.Net (Gay Vancouver Online) redesign earlier this year, we have found ourselves covering the arts more and more. The arts are a huge part of the culture here in Vancouver and we are glad to be able to share that through the site.If you value the arts, now is definitely the time to show your support. While Vancouver's arts organizations are not the only group facing
Could I interest you in a Cabbage Patch Doll instead?
Maybe it is this year's Tamagotchi, Tickle Me Elmo or for those too young to remember these fads, perhaps think of it as this year's Wii. But whatever you want to compare it to, this year's "must have" for under the Christmas tree or stuffed into stockings is something decidedly low-tech.What am I talking about? Why the Olympic red mittens of course! According to the Vancouver Olympic
Vancouver's homeless need your help!
During an introduction to a presentation at Vancouver City Hall last evening, Councillor Tim Stevenson told of a recent visit to China where he was asked how many homeless there were on the streets in Vancouver. When Councillor Stevenson responded with "about 3,000" the Chinese delegate exclaimed that as one of the richest countries in the world, how could we not simply eliminate that number
Movember Day 17-27: The most important discussion you can have
Since starting my fundraising efforts for Movember I have had a number of conversations with male friends and acquaintances about prostate cancer.The number one reaction so far is it is not something that they are particularly worried about because it is an "old man's disease". Most are surprised to hear that men should actually begin screening at age 40.Why is it important? Because 1 in 6 men
Movember Day 16-20: Like watching paint dry...
Yes, I know said I would blog everyday about my 'stache and yes I know I've now missed five days but to be really honest here since actually creating the 'stache it has been like watching paint dry. To help put a little life in things though I'm going to create my "trucker" look tomorrow and then next week I'm going for a straight 'stache itself. What can I say, I get borded easily.On Prostate
November Day 15: the deed is done!
I'm a little behind in my Movember blogs! Last one was November 11th but I figured there really wasn't much to say since there really wasn't much change. But today the 'stache has finally taken shape and I must say I'm pretty impressed with my own handiwork. I'll have a photo up soon of the 'stache itself but first need to do with some skin irritation on my chin which won't make for a very
Movember Day 11: Lest we forget
Rather than a Movember blog entry about my 'stache I thought I would send a heartfelt thank you to all the men and women, including my own father, that served or are serving in Canada's military. Veteran Affairs Canada puts it in terms that helped me to understand why it is important to remember: "By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom these men
Movember Day 10: Now what?
Okay, I'm getting a little bored now. Time to get some shape into this puppy. I've been doing more research into styles and I'm not sure now if just a 'stache is going to cut it. I'm toying with a "Franz Josef" or "A la Souvarov". What do you think?On Prostate Cancer - I came across this great article on overcoming men's objections to a prostate exam that should be required reading.On Growing
Movember Day 9: It itches!
I had no illusions. I knew this day was coming. I just didn't think it would start this soon. My face itches. That's it, just wanted to complain. Monday's are good for complaining. Nice bow tie though, don't you think?On Prostate Cancer - prostate cancer survival rates are actually quite good and recent studies show that if detected when in its localised stage, the survival rate is
Movember Day 8: Not one of my better hats...
Day 8 and the beard continues to fill in and I think it is now at a point now where change will not be so noticeable for a while. The BF declared this as not one of my better hats. It might not be the nicest looking hat but this one has been with me around the world a couple of times (my version of the Canadian flag patch on my backpack)!On Prostate Cancer - yearly prostate exams are an
Movember Day 7: Looking rather dapper!
Day 7 and the beard is starting to fill in nicely. Not as much grey as I had expected. My father's hair and beard is almost completely white so I thought mine might start looking the same (especially as I get older).On Prostate Cancer - there are many treatment options these days for those that have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Visit Prostate Cancer Canada for more information.On
Movember Day 6: I'm not sure what is more fun...
It is only day six and while I'm having fun with the beard (the best part is not having to shave every morning!!) I'm actually having more fun with my hat collection. Today's is one of my favs - what I call my "Gomer" hat. I haven't actually taken count yet but I think I can actually go the entire month with a different hat each day. Bow ties are making a comeback (I've actually started a
Movember Day 5: Channeling my uncle from Florida
Okay, okay, I really DON'T have an Uncle that lives in Florida, but if I did I am pretty sure this is what he would look like. Got the in-grown hairs under control and I'm actually thinking I'm not so hideous when I look at myself in the mirror now. But I am definitely looking forward to when the 'stache shaping begins and I can get rid of the rest of the hair on my face that I don't need.On
Movember Day 4: Canada's Most Wanted
Today's photo is decidedly burglar like and I am convinced I'll end up on a most wanted poster somewhere with this mug! I've decided that lots of facial hair actually makes me look older than I really am and does nothing for my complexion (oh vanity, you are a mean one). On Prostate Cancer - a growing body of evidence suggests that certain vitamins and minerals may protect against prostate
Movember Day 3: You're looking a bit scruffy
The boyfriend declared I was already looking a little "scruffy" this morning as he took the daily photo documenting my 'stache. I would have to agree but history tells me it only gets worse from here before it actually gets better. A couple of in-grown hairs have appeared but I hope to have those under control soon! On Prostate Cancer - did you know it will be diagnosed in about 25,500 men
Movember Day 2: The Stubble Begins
I'm always amazed at how quickly my facial hair actually grows. It is only day two of Movember and I can already see the little hairs peeking through the skin. Still a long way to go. I just hope that the in-grown hairs that usually accompany my growing a beard stay away this time! On Prostate Cancer - did you know that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men? It will