Gearing up for the ISCWR Coronation later this month, Dayzi Chayne (Brian Baker) and JeffyLubeXXXPress (Jeff Park), candidates for Empress and Emperor, took time out of their busy schedule to chat with GayCalgary Magazine.  This dynamic duo – also a couple in real life - is clearly very passionate about bettering their community, and gave us a glimpse into their charismatic personalities:

GC: How did your relationship begin?

BB & JP: We met 15 years ago by messaging and chatting online (yes, the ‘early’ years of the Internet) and have been together ever since. We started out together in a tiny 500 square foot home on an acreage owned by Brian’s cousin – with no power and no water...but that’s a story in itself! We were married in 2006 and are still very much in love! We are (usually) on the same wave length - there’s actually very little conflict in our relationship. We have the perfect fit of personalities to complement each other.  We think this will benefit us greatly in the year to come and are prepared to meet the challenges that come our way!

GC: What is your favourite part about being involved in Alberta’s LGBT community?

BB: As a "late bloomer" my favorite part is just the ability to be "me." I have felt nothing but acceptance from the various organizations and groups that comprise the LGBT community.  Finding a creative outlet in drag performance was an unexpected surprise.

JP: Since the day I came out (at age 37), I have found the Edmonton and Alberta community so accepting and "fun".  I love the diversity of this community and how, when needed, we all come together as a united front!

GC: What are you passionate about?

JP: Awareness.  I truly believe that many people who are "against" the LGBT community are that way because they don’t know any LGBT people – well, they do: they just are not aware of it.  I have found as soon as people get to know us, they realize we’re just normal people like anyone else and that dispels so many misconceptions and the ‘fear’.

BB: I’m a planner and an organizer. As a volunteer I have dedicated my spare time to the goals of the ISCWR in its mission and fundraising goals. I would say I am living life to the fullest. I am a retired teacher and have spent my career working with youth. I think that has helped me keep a youthful outlook, and a fair share of youthful energy! I like to sew and I want to get back to working with stained glass. Although Jeff and I have been together 15 years, we are relatively new homeowners. That suits me perfectly. I like to think I am a bit of a handyman, but I especially enjoy gardening. Not only do I enjoy the creative aspect of planning and creating but also for me it is truly therapy. People who know me personally or through Facebook know I dabble in photography as well!

GC: What do you love about the city of Edmonton in particular?

BB: Culturally, there are so many opportunities in theatre and festivals.

Geographically, the river valley - it is a gem! Edmonton is a beautiful city.

JP: Our festivals and the ‘small town’ feel in a large city.  I hate the winters, though.  Wintering in Palm Springs would suit me fine.  Where’s my lottery ticket?

GC: What inspired you to run for this year’s Emperor and Empress?

JP: Having been involved in the ISCWR for the last five years in various roles, we both felt we were ready to take on the challenge of E&E (Emperor and Empress).   We feel we have the support of our community and organization (ISCWR) and are really excited about the year should we be elected.

BB: What Jeff has said, but also add to that the fact that I am no longer commuting means I have almost 3 hours of my day back which is most welcome! I couldn’t have made the decision to run if I didn’t have the time and energy to devote to doing the best job possible.

GC: As Emperor and Empress, what changes will the upcoming year bring?

BB: Should we be so fortunate, one has to remember that E&E are the representatives of the organization and as such it is very much a team effort. We hope to build on the successes of past reigns and with the team of the ISCWR add a few special touches of our own.

JP: The closing of so many of our usual venues over the past year has forced us to look "outside the box" for fundraising ideas.  Be prepared for some new and unusual events in the next year as we find new ways to fundraise in addition to the usual drag shows and events.

GC: What personal goals/motivations inspired you to take candidacy?

BB & JP: By working together, we make a powerful duo.  Since we started talking about running there was never a doubt that we would run as a team.  The work the ISCWR does for the community with its fundraising and by raising awareness is so important.  We’re hoping we can surround ourselves with like-minded supporters and make this a year to remember.

GC: What challenges are you prepared to face?

BB & JP: We need to encourage new people to come out and join our organization – it’s a lot of fun and not as "cliquey" as some people think!  We need to dispel that misconception.  We also need to get more of the community out to our events – again this means thinking outside of the box and putting on events that appeal to all members of our community and the public in general.

GC: What changes will you instill that will make the community that much bigger and better than when you entered?

BB & JP: We hope we can have more partnerships with other community groups.  We have been involved with the Alberta Bears and the Leather community and think we can really have some fun working together on various events, whether they are the ISCWR’s events or not.  Womonspace is another group which we have started partnering with and it has proven to be a great fit!  If we can show our support to other groups, perhaps they will support ours.  It’s a win-win situation!

GC: What are some charities/events/fundraisers the community can look forward to participating in?

BB & JP: We are hoping to organize a couple of the ISCWR’s very popular "production" shows this year.  And as stated previously, hopefully we can partner with other groups and together raise some serious money for our charities. The charities themselves will be announced at Victory Brunch on August 25th if we are so fortunate as to be elected. As is tradition with incoming reigns, we have the opportunity to identify chosen charities we wish to support. Ours will be a combination of past charities and those close to our hearts and life experiences.... and of course the ISCWR also makes bursaries available to post-secondary students.

GC: What will some of the highlights of the next calendar year be?

JP: New and unusual events as we canvass our members and community for ideas!  Personally, I’m hoping to hold a "comedy night" – as most people who know me will tell you, I love to laugh! And the production shows are so much fun!

BB: The calendar is already "full" of planned events – our newly popular "Drag Queen Calendar", and of course big draw shows like the Miss Mary Christmas Pageant, the Gay Edmonton Pageant and Leather, Feathers, and Fur! We have a number of youth events planned and hope to build stronger connections with other community groups.

GC: What can you tell readers about this year’s Coronation? Why is this event "one of the biggest and best of the summer?"

JP: This year, all the shows for Coronation week (the In-Town Show, Out-of-Town Show, Coronation and Victory Brunch) are all being held in one location – the Ramada on Kingsway.  A one-stop shop for glitz, glamour, big hair and a whole lot of fun!

BB: There are not only many attendees from Edmonton, but many visitors from across Canada and the United States as well. There is a real energy to "Ball Week" in which new friendships are made and old friendships are renewed.

GC: Thank you for taking the time to chat with GayCalgary! We look forward to the Coronation!