This past May, I was studying hard and somewhat bitterly for my Canadian citizenship test. As I memorized what kind of wheat was most popular in 1930’s Manitoba, I happened upon what I thought would be an even more dry section of pain: the six responsibilities of being a Canadian citizen. After a handful of predictable sentences, I was caught off guard by something much more exciting than winter wheat. Right there, out in the open, in print, Canada was saying that it is the responsibility of every citizen to eliminate discrimination and injustice. Not just to be tolerant or open-minded. Not just to stand up for marginalized people on the weekends. They actually used the word eliminate. To eliminate discrimination and injustice.
This September, we’ll all have the chance to be proud participants of Pride Calgary; a celebration that tangibly stands for the elimination of discrimination. My excitement is dampened only by the surprising prevalence of polarization in Calgary’s gay community. This is sadly ironic. We are leaders, revolutionaries, every one of us. The decisions we make, how we choose to live and what we choose to stand for, all have the power to change the very fabric of our society. Our collective energy should never be underestimated.
Speaking of energy and pride, save some of both for the Pride Dance Party on Saturday, September 5th, at its new location. Belgo rests comfortably on the corner of 5th Street and Stephen Ave and boasts a killer, upscale atmosphere with more than enough room for mixing, mingling, and shaking your groove thing. DJ’s from the local gay community will be there all night for your dancing pleasure.
In the past, Pride has usually rented a neutral venue to hold their dances, but with their financial crunch this year it was necessary for them to rely on the help of a pre-existing venue. That being the case, one might wonder why a gay establishment would not be a first choice, for no reason other than to benefit a GLBT business. For a dance of this size, there was really only one gay venue that came close to their size requirements. Unfortunately, according to Pride Board President Sam Casselman, “the ownership was unwilling to work with Pride when approached [even for sponsorship]. For the size of venue that we needed, we were then forced to look outside of the gay community.” Considering this venue’s stance toward many businesses, non-profit groups, and individuals, it would not have sufficed in any case to host an event that is intended to be inclusive to the entire community.
Penny Lane Entertainment was quick to step up, originally offering the Wild Ginger space. But due to renovations that the management feared would not be completed in time for the Pride Dance, Penny Lane Entertainment offered up an equally stunning venue: Belgo. The complete multi-tier space, capable of holding between 600 and 700 people, has been donated exclusively to Pride Calgary for the entire evening (typically the space is rented for anywhere between $15,000 to $25,000). The ownership and staff are extremely welcoming and gay friendly, and Belgo is proud to offer their venue for an event that they really believe in.
The weekend continues with the Pride Parade on Sunday, September 6th. Since this year’s theme is “Our Rights, Your Rights, Human Rights”, it seems fitting that the Raging Grannies are serving as the Parade Grand Marshals. Satirical and serious, the Raging Grannies are a local chapter of an International group of women who advocate social justice of all kinds, disarmament and a safe and sustainable environment.
The parade floats and other visual candy will start off at 12pm on 8th Street and 8th Avenue SW, heading east to Olympic Plaza where the Street Festival begins. David Swann, leader of the liberal party of Alberta and Rick Hansen, Calgary’s police chief, will kick off the festival immediately following the parade. There will be something for everyone, as the plaza will be buzzing with food, beer gardens (sponsored by Money Pennies), vendors and DJ’s until 6pm. There will also be a Kid Zone to entertain the little ones.
After you’ve spent the afternoon at the festival, you can go home and take a nap in preparation for Sunday evening’s Rocky Horror Pride Show at the Plaza in Kensington. The opening act starts at 11:30pm, featuring the Fake Mustache Drag Kings, followed by the film screening at midnight. If you’re a hardcore fan, rest assured that prop kits will be available. Costumes and audience participation are highly encouraged, so start working on your Time Warp moves.
We have an incredible opportunity to publicly come together regardless of background, age, race, gender, sexuality, abilities, religion or politics. Our presence not only serves as a loud message that we are unified and here to stay, it reminds us that we need each other. We need each other because we all need hope. Hope that every day will bring us closer to eliminating discrimination and injustice. It’s our responsibility and our privilege to make this happen. And as Harvey Milk so aptly stated, hope will never be silent.
Says Dallas Barnes, a member of the Pride Board, “Pride is the pinnacle of the GLBT community, or at least it should be. It’s a time when you can come as you are and be who you are, while being surrounded by other members of the community and their allies. This is a crucial time for the queer community. We need to come together to celebrate! We are also role models for the generations following us.”
Now that you’re all excited, you may want the chance to support Pride right away. Local Artist Lisa Heinricks has generously donated a beautiful 3’ x 4’ oil on canvas painting that you have a chance to win. Tickets are only $10 and available at the Calgary Eagle, Heinricks Studio at Art Central, and on Pride Calgary’s website. You can check out the painting on the Art Draw’s Facebook event, or in person at the Eagle.
You can also stop by the Eagle between 8pm and 11pm on August 8th for the Pride Silent Auction. There will be thousands of dollars worth of items up for auction, donated by local artists and retailers. Items include vintage Pride gear, jewelry, sex toys, poker paraphernalia, gift cards and much more. All proceeds will go toward helping to make Pride happen.
You could also volunteer for one or all of the events on Pride Weekend if you want to make a lot of friends really fast. I’ll see you there as I experience my first Pride as a Canadian citizen. And if a Texan like me can be a proud, gay, Canadian citizen, there’s always hope.
Get your Dance tickets online at www.pridecalgary.ca as well as information on volunteering, sponsoring and donating.
