Have you ever thought about how fun it would be to make your straight male friends dress up in Drag? It would be poetic in a way; especially for the ones that are particularly prudish (I know I’d certainly have a couple of people in mind). Well, that’s exactly the premise behind the "Straight to Diva" fundraiser event coming up March 5th and April 9th at the Calgary Eagle.
We spoke to Rob Julien, Chairman of the HIV Peer Support Group who is putting on the fundraiser. "The concept is simple, take 3 straight guys, match them up with a Drag Queen, give them 30 days to have the Drag Queen train them to walk, act, lip sync and put on a show in front of a live audience."
Three painfully straight guys have already been selected and will be matched up with Calgary’s own Brandy Bishop Towers, Anita Lay, and Octavia Houston! Come down to the "Meet the Divas" event on Saturday March 5th, where you can meet the guys, the Drag Queens, and witness the random draw to see who is matched with whom. The Grand Finale is on Saturday April 9th, where you can see the Drag Queen-ized straight guys strut their stuff on stage! Also check out the Silent Auction while you’re there.
The HIV Peer Support Group has been around since June 1995. Their goal is "to be a valued service that makes a difference for people living with HIV/AIDS and those directly affected through a grass roots approach that includes connection, barrier reduction, education and hope."
"The group is solely made up of volunteers for one, all of whom are HIV positive. It provides a complimentary support to already existing ‘institutional’ programs for positive people to speak to positive people. ...The group does not advocate for people like AIDS Calgary does, but on a one-on-one basis [we] work with people to address their concerns and issues. ...It is very comforting for someone who is facing a new diagnosis or a ‘marker’ in the progression of HIV to be able to talk to someone who has lived the experience already or can relate on a personal level," Julien explained.
The HIV Peer Support Group is run out of the Canadian Red Cross. Members and volunteers can only find the organization through referrals from AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) such as AIDS Calgary, SAC, STD Clinic, CUPS, Exit Community Outreach, CAANS, the CHR, and so on. Anybody wishing to volunteer is welcome to speak to an ASO or CBO, however be aware that there is a 2-4 week intensive training program. "We’re the quiet behind-the-scenes support to the community as a whole."
The Straight to Diva event will help raise funds to keep this organization going. Julien explained further, "All monies raised will be used for the continued sustainability of the group. The money will pay for training and also supplement to pay for the consultant who keeps the group trained and updated on ethics, information, counseling skills and a requirement to credibility that ensures that referring organizations are confident in our services."
"This is such an important cause, due to the fact that we don’t judge, discriminate or stigmatize anyone who becomes infected or is directly affected by HIV/AIDS. We believe that the message has to be clear that anyone who engages in a risky activity is at risk of contracting HIV. There are approx. 60,000 people in Canada who are either infected or know someone who is HIV+. AIDS does not discriminate. Help us help others."
The HIV Peer Support Group presents "Straight to Diva"
At the Calgary Eagle, 424a 8th Avenue SE. "Meet the Divas" on Saturday March 5th, Saturday April 9th – Silent auction from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Grand Finale starts 10:30pm. Tickets on sale at the Calgary Eagle - 263-5847 or call ROB – 230-0821
Related Articles
Contributor
Rob Diaz-Marino |
Locale
Calgary |
Topic
Community |
