In our recent Reader Survey we asked Albertans whom they felt stood out as impactful community leaders, either through personal endeavour, the efforts they exemplified at work, in their respective roles in organizations, committees or as volunteers.
From coronations to municipal candidacies, these community icons spanned the gamut of encouraging community accomplishments.
The ten victors, listed in no particular rank, were selected on the basis of what their respectful fans had to say about them.
In this March issue we list five of the ten, with the remainder to grace next issue’s pages.
Jason Wheeler – Owner of FAB Bar
Jason Wheeler does well to exemplify community pride. After saying he was "very flattered and humbled" regarding his nomination, he reinforced the value of achieving a closer-knit, empowered LGBT community.
"You have no community without the U and I. Support one another and don’t let our differences overpower our similarities," Wheeler states.
Wheeler was originally born in the United Kingdom, but moved to Canada with his family at the age of two. Later in life he would return to dwell there for four years.
"Mom and dad just wanted a better life," he says, of the decision to immigrate to Canada. Jason attended a Catholic school in Spruce Grove, Alberta, not because he was Catholic but because he "needed the discipline". His family lived all over the country before landing back in Calgary in 2001. At that time his employer, the airline Canada 3000, had just gone bankrupt and his sister had moved back three months prior. "I’m an Alberta boy at heart."
In 2004 he began working at what is now known as the FAB Bar (formerly Money Pennies Eatery and Bar), and in 2007 became its proud new owner.
"One of the reasons I decided to start my own business is because whenever I worked for someone else I always ended up being the boss, so I thought, why not work for myself," he recalls. "I bought an existing business instead of starting from scratch."
The old Money Pennies was the perfect location from which a person with Jason’s community spirit could continue to branch out.
"I’m one of the gay men that loves lesbians," he explains. "That’s why I liked Money Pennies and kept it."
Jason opted to plant his roots in Calgary for the closeness he feels among LGBT society here.
"Calgary has such a strong community and it’s not broken up as it is in other cities," he says. "I think our community needs to stay together instead of dividing themselves."
The FAB Bar aims to illustrate that objective through a plethora of fundraisers. As Jason interviewed, the venue was getting ready to host a fundraiser evening for the ISCCA, a common event at FAB, and gearing up for a fundraiser for the Weekend to Cure Breast Cancer happening this spring.
"The [fundraising] teams come to us with ideas," Jason tells us of the latter initiative. In the past this has included car washes, shooter sales and the selling of pink ribbons. "We’re encouraging unique ideas."
In addition to running FAB with sister and co-owner Lizaine Wheeler, the family-man also owns a catering company called Cater!nc with his mom and dad, feeding corporate events and sometimes weddings. Within Cater!Inc the Wheelers have also done fundraisers for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, United Way and other staff initiatives.
"I’m very close to my family. ...I have a nephew named after me, and I was in the delivery room when he was born. That was first and last time I saw a vagina," he laughs.
Currently Jason resides with his little dog Oscar Myer Wheeler, his "pretty insufferable, best buddy in the whole wide world."
Jason’s volunteering days began working with the AIDS Network in Edmonton, previous to his HIV diagnosis, which came 15 years ago.
"It wasn’t after my diagnosis that I became more involved [with volunteering]. It was when I had my first serious illness as a result of it, and realized I was so fortunate to have such close family; that all my basic needs were taken care of, and that others are not so fortunate," he says. "So I like to do a lot of fundraising towards AIDS and HIV and those involved."
Jason currently works with AIDS Calgary and the annual AIDS Walk for Life, breast cancer fundraisers and awareness, and sponsors door prize every week at the Sunday Unity Bowling League, a gay bowling league in which Wheeler also participates. He and fellow survey winner Dion Belanger organize a World AIDS Day fundraiser and show at FAB every year.
"Based on 10 per cent of the population being gay in Calgary, if every [GLBT] member donated a dollar that would total $100,000," Wheeler asserts. His drive is again clear: he wants a community where youth are supported and always have somewhere safe and welcoming to go to.
"If your family turns your back on you, there’s another family waiting."
Allan Oen – Owner of Texas Lounge/Goliaths
Allan Oen (with his partner Wolfgang) has done great things in the local community.
Allan grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and dwelled in Saskatoon for a few years before moving to Calgary in 1995. Despite the novelty wearing off from Calgary’s initial draw, Oen developed lasting friendships and decided to stay.
In July of 1999, Allan began working at Goliaths Saunatel part-time, oscillating shifts between the bar and bathhouse, before becoming bar manager. Roughly five years ago, Allan was approached with the opportunity to buy the venue. Together with partner Andrew Brassard, Oen is the current owner of the Texas Lounge and Goliaths.
"I started out at the very bottom so I understand what staff are going through sometimes," Oen says of his humble beginnings.
Today the Texas Lounge teems with events and fundraisers geared toward helping many different groups within the community.
"I’m willing to help out any organization that comes and asks me," Oen affirms. This has included the Children’s Wish Foundation, Beswick House through the SHARP (Society Housing AIDS/HIV Restricted Persons) Foundation, and this year a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser on March 17, hosted by Electronica and benefitting the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
"I’m a very big supporter of the ISSCA, having been a past empress, as well," Allan expounds. His involvement with the Imperial and Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch (ISSCA) started six or seven years ago in the role of princess for the then Empress.
"I took a year off after that because it’s a lot of travelling. You’re going to a lot of cities representing Calgary," he explains. "But I decided a couple years later to run as Empress, and ran with my real-life partner Wolfgang." Both were voted in, making the first Emperor and Empress combination who were also life partners.
Together the enthroned couple toured more than their requirement of four coronations, attending Court events and fundraisers across Canada and the United States.
"It’s a fulltime volunteer position, that is. You really have to work hard and try to represent the community as best as you can; both when you’re out and about and when you’re in your own city."
This includes shooter bars, coat checks, and drag shows for which Allan (occasionally alongside Wolfgang) hit the stage under the spicy pseudonym Dynamite.
"You just do the best you can, stay away from the politics and just try to have a good time and remember why you’re doing it. ...You’re doing it for the community and doing it for good; that’s the right reason."
Allan recalls a moment during his reign as Empress when this became vividly clear.
"On Mothers’ Day we went to the Beswick House and planted flowers for the people living there at the time. Seeing the people you’re actually helping, helps you to keep it in perspective."
Over the year Allan had met and seen many amazing people and places, and it all culminated at the end of his reign.
"When we stepped down together it was a very emotional day... To be there with all of your friends... my mom came to see me step down and see what we were able to give to charities within the city."
That afternoon the couple found out that their efforts had raised the sum of $42,000 – a new record in the 30 years that the ISCCA has been running.
"We had broken the record for the most to be given away," Allan says. Every year, ISSCA funds reach out to the community initiatives of choice for the Emperor and Empress, which have included Beswick House AIDS hospice, HIV support groups, the Salvation Army, Agapé hospice for terminal illness, and the Children’s Wish Foundation.
"I had a motto: It didn’t matter whether you gave a penny, five dollars, ten dollars, or 20, it all adds up in the long run. Whatever you can afford to give is worthwhile."
All costumes, wigs and travel expenses were covered by Allan and Wolfgang personally, and for several events the Texas Lounge donated their space.
"Anytime I ever got tipped for a performance I always gave the money back to charity, and Wolfgang did the same... I always made sure everything went to charity like it was supposed to."
Years later Allan was also named the ISCCA Entertainer of the Year.
Currently the ISCCA sells shooters every Sunday raise funds for their charities, and every Sunday the bar screens a movie and orders pizza for the ISCCA to sell by the slice.
"I’m always kind of helping out in some kind of capacity," he says, noting that in the not so distant future he could see himself running for Empress with Wolfgang as Emperor, again.
"Being Emperor/Empress together, I found, it brought us closer in a lot of ways," Allan admits. "If you can make it through being Emperor/Empress together, on top of all the other stresses of a relationship, you can make it through everything I think."
Last December Allan and Wolfgang celebrated 11 years together.
"We have the same vision and the same goals. Whether we could beat our other [fundraising] record, I don’t know. We would have to do our best."
In addition, Allan envisions helping to launch a LGBT retirement centre "at some point down the road."
"It’s so sad that some people enter the age of retirement and have to go back into the closet, so to speak, and can’t be themselves anymore."
Allan is consistently generating ideas of more things to do in the community, and greatly appreciates the acknowledgement for doing so.
"I just want to thank all of the readers for thinking of me as an influential person. It scares me a bit! But I appreciate people looking up to me in that way. Hopefully I can live up to it."
Terri Stevens – Drag Performer
Terri Stevens was quite surprised to hear that his nominations won him a spot in Alberta’s top 10 LGBT figures. But as one looks back at the 30 years, and counting, of artistry and involvement he has offered the LGBT community nationwide, there is no surprise that his nominators set forth to acknowledge this work.
Terri was Alberta-born but raised in the Okanagan, BC. When he was 15 he made his debut as a drag artist on stages in Vancouver and Victoria.
"Everyone thinks drag just involves putting on a wig and singing a song," he says. "I’ve had lots of fun times in the past 30 years, but I think it’s more about the involvement with the people in the crowds, interaction with the audiences, making them forget their own issues or drama for that brief period of time you’re on the stage, or whatever the case may be."
Stevens cites himself a triple threat: he can sing, he can dance, and he can do his own makeup, hair and make his own costumes. The artista sat amid 20 metres of black chiffon during our interview, of which he was intending to craft his next costume.
Terri dismays at the existing stereotypes surrounding drag artists. "It’s not easy being a queen," he croons. "There’s a big difference between mentorship and dictatorship."
Terri encourages crowd-focus and a drug-free zone. "Drugs equal drama," he warns. "No drugs, no drama."
Stevens notes that one of the fundamentals toward professionalism on stage is to put the audience’s experience above the current goings on in your own personal sphere.
"[Drag is about] the fulfillment of knowing that you entertained someone, knowing that you’re making someone laugh, making someone cry; the fact that people will go oh my god that was fabulous!"
In addition to performing Canada-wide, Terri has supported PWA (People With Aids) and the Imperial Court of Canada in every city he has lived in, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Niagra Falls.
"I’ve done everything," he says. "If somebody asks, you show up, and you donate your tips back... It’s good to do your pro bono work."
Terri’s performances have generated funds for groups such as AIDS Calgary, and toward cancer awareness.
"Like many others before me, I’m just one more stepping stone helping to pave the way for future drag artists."
Over the last two years Terri has been working at the Twisted Element and hosting the Twisted Burlesque Follies every Sunday at 11:30pm.
"Get a bunch of people together and see the show," he advises. Terri says his particular forte is celebrity impersonation.
"When I do Cher I look like Cher; and it freaks people out," he says of his favourite star to manifest. Reba McIntyre is also on his bill, and occasionally the artist will hammer out a mean impression of stars such as Dame Edna or Joan Rivers, the diva that inadvertently launched his performance career.
"I put on a dress one day and someone said I looked like Joan Rivers, so I did it."
His performance skills took him to Toronto, where he worked with drag troupes La Cage (one of the longest standing dinner theatre drag shows in Canada) and the Great Imposters, but eventually a yearning to come home drew him back to Calgary.
Now Terri runs a "small, little arm of the Great Imposters and another group called Ladies of La Cage, available for private shows and corporate functions," he touts.
This month and next Terri and his troupe will tour to Saskatchewan for performances.
"Wherever the agent books me, that’s where I go."
Terri’s nominees extol his unsung praise for decades of benefit shows, Canada Imperial Court performances for charity, and other fundraising revues.
"Thank you for the nominations, it was highly unexpected," he says. "It just goes to show that if you change things in your life, your life changes for you."
Brendan Van Alstine – Politician and Activist
A born and raised Edmontonian, Brendan Van Alstine has been active in the LGBT community for a near decade. Brendan began volunteering at the Pride Centre of Edmonton in 2003, taking a position there in 2006, before being hired on as a mental health worker in inner city Edmonton.
In his spare time - which surprisingly he can find - Brendan both volunteers and runs for political office. Van Alstine has helped out at the Queer Youth Camp-Out, open to all LGBTQ and allied youth aged 14 to 25. This event started over a weekend in the summer of 2008 and, with rave reviews from participatory campers, continues to take place annually. The summer weekend at an allied campground south of Edmonton features swimming, crafts, games, sexuality workshops, sports and a talent night.
In addition, Brendan has been a helpful hand for numerous years with the Queer Allied Network, a group supporting action for LGBT equality in Alberta, and Youth Understanding Youth, a group providing a safe and supportive place for youth to gather, contribute and express what’s on their mind.
"The best way to promote a positive environment is to make sure everyone is treated equally with dignity and respect," Van Alstine states.
In 2007 Brendan helped found the Transit Riders’ Union of Edmonton, an independent, autonomous group that lobbies for better transit in the municipality. Projects are ongoing, and call on all transit takers to participate.
Brendan has also played an active role in the revitalization efforts of the Alberta Ave/118th Ave neighbourhood where he resides. This includes volunteering at the Carrot Community Arts Coffee House as well as various festivals that take place on the avenue, including Kaleido, a community arts festival, and the Deep Freeze Byzantine Winter Festival, which "ushers in the Olde New Year in style" with outdoor sports, indoor fare, music and art.
Brendan says though this nomination was not something he was expecting (having already won in 2009’s reader survey), "it’s a nice feeling that people recognize the work I’ve done."
Most recently, Van Alstine ran for Edmonton City Council in Ward 7, placing third out of five candidates, and is planning to run again in the 2013 election.
"Wiser use of police resources must be part of the equation for making our neighbourhoods safer," Brendan blogged in the week leading to last October’s municipal vote. "Some of the simplest solutions are often the best: refreshing infrastructure to make our streets more walkable and encouraging a vibrant local business community."
This forward-thinking attitude is exactly what inspired his nomination. Supporters of this budding politician praise Brendan for his work toward establishing a community that is safe and welcoming to youth and new residents, and encourages healthy, environmentally-friendly and sustainable, rewarding activities that take place outside of the bar scene.
Brendan has marked himself as a community leader who thinks outside the box and spreads optimism and mindfulness in all of his undertakings.
"It’s not too late to make the world a better place," he says. "...one person can change the world."
Mike Gray – Owner of Club Sapien
"Oh I’m flattered! What an honour. What do you say to that? That’s the greatest compliment you can get paid," says the humble Mike Gray upon hearing of his nomination.
A native Calgarian, born and raised, Mike is the co-owner of Club Sapien despite having never thought he would own any venture of this sort.
"Strangely enough I have a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialty in Entrepreneurship, but I had no intention at the time to open my own business," Mike explains. "I thought that was the most ridiculous idea ever. Who knew?"
Instead, the studied entrepreneur went from his undergrad days at the University of Victoria back home to a career at Famous Players, which he loved.
"That’s where some inspiration came from," he says of the years he spent watching and helping people that were going out to have a genuine good, fun time.
In July 29, 2010, Mike opened Club Sapien, a place for the LGBT community and their allied friends to do just that: to go out and have a genuine good time.
"I always loved the entertainment industry," Mike says. "Club Sapien was just sort of that ultimate in providing that kind of fun in our community. It was a great opportunity."
With his business partner, Mike looked at the social opportunities available to Calgary’s straight counterpart, and tried to establish what was missing in the LGBT community.
"They aren’t sort of pigeon-holed into one type of bar, or one type of feel that they’re limited to," he explains. "After work you want to go out to a place where you feel safe and comfortable. That’s how we modeled Sapien."
Mike endeavored to create a place that functions as a gay environment, in a relaxed space where one feels at ease bringing anyone with them.
"Not a place where you have to warn friends before you take them in," Mike says. "Somewhere you can go to and feel community, and feel proud of who we are in our everyday lives."
However, Club Sapien aims to veer away from the ‘traditional’ gay establishment and give the community more evenings to chill.
"We didn’t think there was that opportunity for everyone," Mike says. "Twenty year s ago there wasn’t really mingling between the gay and straight culture. Now there is, hopefully, somewhere they can see us on our home turf and feel comfortable."
Club Sapien is an upscale pub, offering good value food somewhere contentedly between greasy grub and steak and lobster - and a venue for fundraising.
"Any charity that has a gay-focus, or that someone in the community is passionate about, we’re happy to provide the space," Mike says. In the past this has included the SHARP Foundation, the Kid’s Help Phone, Apollo and AIDS Calgary.
Come to the Club with a plan and, Mike says, "we’re certainly going to support it."
Sapien is also sponsoring the Apollo Western Cup, approaching this Easter long weekend.
"We’re doing our best to provide [Apollo] somewhat of a home base while they are here, somewhere to celebrate the victories and to console themselves in defeats over the sporting events coming up."
Furthermore, the staff at Sapien have put together a dodge ball team to compete this year. "I don’t know who’s going to work," Mike kids. "We may have to draw straws."
"Mainly we’re just looking to make sure that when all the guests are coming from across the country to play in the Western Cup, that they walk away with a great feeling of what Calgary has to offer."
Mike lives under the adage, "It is our community and it’s up to us to make it work." He goes on to say, "The more people that get out and get involved, the better the community will be."
Information about upcoming events and nights at Sapien can be found on Facebook or the Sapien website in the Extras section. This area of their site also features tips from their staff on how to handle your first club experience, or advice on how to remedy unpleasant ones.
"There are lots of great events and venues even if you’re not involved in the bar scene," Mike says. "Give it a try. Get out in your community. Get out and get involved."
