Category: Queer

The Power of Pink D

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You know Pride’s here when you start seeing commercials from the most unlikely companies/corporations  in a bid to snatch up our pink dollars. In the last week alone I counted at least three random ads- even one from a car company- with noticeably colourful rainbow-esque undertones and same-sex couples (even interracial ones) riding on queer hot topics like gay parenting, gay marriage and most recently trans issues-like the bathroom fiasco- all whilst reminding us to purchase with pride– cause they support us. Good to know the almighty dollar knows no gender or sexuality. I’m here for it- the increased visibly and all- BUT what’s the real motive and end game of this seasonal show of support? Does it really benefit us- the queer community- or just fatten the pockets of already filthy rich corporations? Continue reading →

Canada’s Trans Win

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Transgendered communities across Canada can rest easily on this- the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia– thanks to new legislations to protect the rights of transgender Canadians. Bill C-16, proposed by probably the world’s greatest PM- JustinTrudeau- and introduced today will see the addition of gender identity as prohibited grounds for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act.  Gender identity has now been added to the list of distinguishing characteristics of  an ‘identifiable group’ protected by the hate speech provisions of the Criminal Code.  In simple terms: to discriminate against a transgendered person for employment, health care or anything else is now illegal in Canada and any aggravated  act motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on gender identity or expression is now officially punishable in court.  Continue reading →

Interracial Dating.. Is it racial betrayal?

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BLMTOTension around race is extremely high right now pretty much everywhere. Especially with Uncle Donald edging for the Presidency like Claire Underwood and BLM gaining tremendous momentum in normally quaint cities like Toronto where the subject’s usually delicately avoided. You can’t deny it and will sooner or later have to assert your position on the issue. Especially if you’re black-how could you not? So am I wrong to question where I stand in the mix given my attraction to the opposite race and the thin line between fighting against racism and participating in it?

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Queer Black History: Jackie Shane

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jackieshanecover
Androgynous Rhythm and Blues singer Jackie Shane rose to fame in the early 1960’s in Montreal and amassed a huge Toronto fan base. While his rise to fame could be credited to his Canadian following, Jackie was born and raised in Nashville Tennessee and grew up around music. The home of country music developed a growing jazz movement in the 1950’s and in his teenage years, Jackie lived with Nashville’s Queen of the Blues Marion James.

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Hook-Up Etiquette #101

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The point of hooking up is that you don’t have to commit to pointless conversations, uncomfortable eye contact or anything other than sex. If I wanted something meaningful I probably won’t  have you over at 11 pm the first time we meet. So why do guys make a simple one time deal to shag a sordid 10 mins of  awkward head to elbow collisions?

Hooking-up should be a negotiation between two people where you both agree on how things are gonna play out.  You won’t make a major life decision without negotiating the pro’s & cons. Same should apply to hooking up. It’s bad enough I’m about to offer up my goodies for the sake of getting off. Might as well make sure I get my jollies worth.

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5 gay friends you just don’t need

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10846407_10154950734695191_4901211911036804349_nFriends are important. So you wanna be selective in who you choose to let into your inner sanctum. But we get lazy sometimes and end up settling for friendships that aren’t that… special.  Cause like any relationship, friendships are hard fucking work.. Right? Though as you grow into yourself, it gets super easy to spot the flakes.

So here’s some flakes you might wanna avoid:  Continue reading →

6 in 10 Black gay men…

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BLM

Some alarming facts about HIV and those most at risk popped up in my Facebook newsfeed. The article came from The Advocate and it’s basically an entire op-ed series called #6in10. #6in10 points to stats that reveal 6 in 10 black gay and bi-sexual men in the US will test positive for HIV by the time they’re 40 years old. Reading those words as a black guy is heartbreaking to say the very least. And even more fucked are some of the contributing factors. Some really out of the norm stuff. Like gay dating racism. Who thought this could be as far reaching? I surely didn’t.  Continue reading →

A Week in PTown

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IMG_2087I made it through a short four day work week.. After a pulsating prior week in Provincetown! Not sure how I survived but this has to be the best gay getaway in North America. Not that I’ve been to many. But I can’t see myself wanting more of anything . Other than to go back. 

This was my second visit but the experience was totally new. So I figured I might as well talk about it!

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