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OUT
yxe
PRIDE!
DISCOVER
PRIDE!
E S T 2 0 1 8
J u n e / J u l y P R I D E E D I T I O N
A STEP BACK IN
TIME
FEATURING MP SHERI BENSON
MEET OUTSASKATOON'S LONGEST SERVING
VOLUNTEER
Rachel Loewen Walker Executive Director
Amanda Guthrie Education & Operations Manager
Krystal Nieckar Support Services & Housing Manager
Sean Ryan Community Engagement & Events Officer
Briana Hedlin Office Coordinator
Jack Saddleback Cultural & Projects Coordinator
Jessica Fisher fYrefly Saskatchewan Coordinator
Tiff Strachan Pride Home Coordinator
Benjamin Lindsay Youth Coordinator [email protected]
Mykah Pattison
Support Services Worker [email protected]
ED's Corner
Sarah
Krista Our summer practicum student, Krista, is
truly a slow leak in the best possible way.In the month that we have had the pleasureof getting to know Krista, we have alreadylearned that her favourite place to be isbehind the scenes getting all of theimportant stuff done. We can't wait to seehow much of a tidal wave she will be in thefuture. And lucky us, Krista will be with usuntil the end of August!
I think it’s pretty commonknowledge that the first Prideparade was a riot(!) And I’m surethat to this day there are still ahandful (or a hundred) of bravequeer, trans, and two spirit folksthat feel quite rebellious as theywalk in their first Pride Parade,hold their partner’s hand for thefirst time in public, and arewelcomed into a communitywhere they see themselvesreflected and are supported withopen arms.
Saskatoon’s Pride Festival hasgrown by leaps and bounds inthe past few years and thisyear’s festival has a wonderfullydiverse array of eventsand opportunities to connect.Not only that, but look aroundyou! Saskatoon really is paintedin rainbows as more and moreorganizations and businessesjoin in to support the LGBTQ2Scommunity.
The feeling of freedom that acity of rainbows affords reallyhelps to make Pride one of thebest days of the year, and at thesame time, we know that oneday is never enough. There arestill days where loneliness andfear creep in, days where theworld is harsher than it shouldbe. So for those days, know thatOUTSaskatoon has your back forthe other 364 days of the year.We’re here to support youthrough our drop-in centre,counselling, social groups, andcommunity events in whateverways that you need.
I always think that there issomething about living in andexperiencing the margins thatmakes us more able torecognize injustice and there issomething about being differentthat makes us able to see howvaluable difference really is.
So wave your flag, sing out loud,celebrate your differences, andHappy Pride!
Rachel Loewen Walker Executive Director
Martha Smith-Norris (Chair) Dave Culleton (Vice Chair)
Sean Homenick (Treasuer) Jordan Sherbino (Secretary)
Mark Meyers Connor Rodriguez
Troy Boyenko Melody Wood Natalya Mason
Tyler Moss Jennifer Boyle
Board of Directors
OUTSaskatoon has recentlystarted a new partnership withFamily Service Saskatoon toprovide safe, LGBTQ2S positivecounselling. Sarah, from FSS,is at OUT on Thursdayafternoons from 12:30 until5pm - call us to make anappointment!
June 16:
June 17:
June 18:
June 20:
June 22:
June 23:
June 24:
Rejoining the Circle: Saskatoon's first Two Spirit Powwow
- 12pm at the University of SK Bowl
Senior (55+) Dance - 6pm at St Georges Anglican Church
Family Day Carnival
- 10am at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm
Real Pride March Saskatoon - 1pm at Mount Royal Collegiate
Pride Boat Cruise
- 3pm on the Prairie Lily
Pride Latte - 6pm at the Francis Morrison Library
Aging With Pride
- 10am at OUTSaskatoon
Drag Queen Bingo - 7pm at The Capitol Music Club
Main Stage and Market
- 4pm at River Landing
Pride Parade!
- 1pm marshalling at 24th and Spadina
Main Stage and Market -11am at River Landing
Gurls: Ladies Night
- 9pm at Drift Cafe & Vista Lounge
Pool Party - 12pm at The Hilton
What's Happening...
Did you know that in its 26 years ofoperation, OUTSaskatoon has neverhad to hire cleaning staff becauseGlen takes care of everything fromrecycling to vacuuming, to wateringour plants?
OUTSaskatoon would not be thesame without you Glen. Your yearsof dedication to the community isastonishing, hardly selfish ;)
You truly are the definition of whatcommunity means and we arehumbled by your words and actions.
If you would like to volunteer atOUTSaskatoon pleasevisit: outsaskatoon.ca/volunteer
or alternativly, email [email protected]
The simple reasons for me becoming one ofthe first volunteers for our organization 27years ago was I was unemployed and mypartner was Gens Hellquist who restartedearlier ones that he also started.I've beenable to volunteer all this time because mytangle with HIV has kept me living with a 5year horizon. The reason I've stayed avolunteer is that I'm basically a selfish guy. There may be a few saints who volunteer for selfless reasons but onlymartyrs stay in a place that treats themlike dirt. Most organizations or businessestreat free staff like gold; so very good foryour self esteem.The very core purpose ofour Centre is to ensure that all of us in ourqueer corner of society feel good aboutourselves and each other.
That certainly was the main focus of Gay &Lesbian Health Services. Our phone line wasthe lifeline for all the scared and scarredrefugees from small minds in small townsand hateful families. Our callers would befaceless voices for a short while until they found the courage to step through thedoors into our safe place populated with people they were told to fear as aliencreatures. With only a few basic listeningtools we could help the frightened rabbitsshed some tears from their years of pain.That transition would rarely last long untilthey felt comfortable enough to bethemselves.
So many have become friends, fellowvolunteers and staff that have moved on tobigger cities to use the skills and experiences to grow organizations andcommunities.My life has been so enriched by these amazing bright stars of thenational network of helping, healing, empowering trail blazers and builders. I askyou, what could be more rewarding thanthat?
Featured Volunteer
Bridge City Chorus that I've also had the privilege of being a foundingmember of, has been singing/rapping a song with the words “Our movementhas grown strong, changing laws,changing lives. But others elsewhere...”(it goes on about other countries.)
In our country, city and Centre we'vebeen helping others from elsewhere inQueerdom's un-addressed corners ofdiscrimination in wave upon wave. I notonly get to meet more courageous, quirkyqueers but get to expand my mind withnew language and concepts and catchglimpses of an almost utopian tomorrowand all I have to do to earn this primoring-side seat is exercise my talents ofbeing a finicky fag.
Thank you Glen for all ofyour years of volunteering
with OUT!
Glen Horton
#40 214 Stonebridge Blvd Saskatoon, SK
306-477-7460 vacationsaway.ca
Watch for us in the next issue of OUTyxe.
We look forward to being involved withcommunity events and getting to knoweach and every one of you
Vacations Away is a certified LGBTQ2SSafe Space Business and hasundergone Diversity Training.
VACATIONS AWAY
BY: Becky Reid Travel Agent
As the adage goes “love is love”,and with same sex marriagesbeing legal in the Mexican stateof Quintana Roo since 2011 –members of the LGBTQ+community can dedicate theirlives to each other on thepowder white beaches of theCaribbean, in front of aturquoise sea, with nothing andno one to stand in their way,just happy friends and family tosurround them in love.
Hoteliers have caught on, too.All resorts in the AMResortschain (Sunscape, Now, Dreams,Secrets, Breathless & Zoetry) inQuintana Roo offer same sexwedding packages. Whether it’sadult’s only luxury at Secrets,Breathless or Zoetry resorts; or afamily friendly gathering atSunscape, Now and Dreamsresorts – each with fullycustomizable weddingpackages – there is a resort forany wedding style.
And why shouldn’t there be?Members of the communityhave been marching for theirlove’s acceptance since June 28,1970. They fought for this right,and what better way to thankthem than by taking advantageof the rights granted by way oftheir courage and strength inthe face of adversity?
After all,Life Gets Better Together,doesn’t it?
June is Pride month, andthrough this month, VacationsAway and I want to celebrateyou and your love. All vacationpackage bookings of $1000 perperson (before tax) will get youa special per person discount.Just mention that you saw it inthis issue of OUTYxe!
Happy Pride!
Visit hardpressed.ca to purchase this year's Pride T-shirt!
Join Us in the Parade! We invite all volunteers, group and community
members, partners, family, and friends to walk in theParade with OUTSaskatoon.
Meet us in the parade marshalling area at noon!
A STEP BACK IN
TIME
FEATURING MP SHERI BENSON
1
In 1971, Gens Hellquist wrote that a group ofgay men discussed the need to establish aregular drinking venue for Saskatoon gays. Thegroup's choice was the Apollo Room at theDowntown Ritz Hotel. Although the Apollo Roomwas considered unattractive, it was spaciousand relatively uncrowded. The Apollo soon had asizable and committed gay and lesbian clientelethat continued to patronize 'the Ritz' for manyyears. The managment and staff welcomes thenew clientele and dealt quickly and firmly withanyone harassing LG patrons. The hotel closed in1985.
From Celebrating a History ofDiversity by Neil Richards,2005
E: [email protected] W: saskatoonpride.ca
@saskatoonpridefestival
We are proud to have TheBetter Good as our
partner in Green this year. At YXE Pride we recognize
environmentalsustainability to be a
fundamental driver in thelong term success of
growing organizations. This is why we took the
Green Stem SustainabilityChallenge in 2016, a
voluntary commitment toincorporate
environmentalsustainability into alldecision making andactivities. A growingfestival has a growing
impact on the communityand the environment and
implementing thesechanges is a must.
To make a change, wemust first change our
approach on everything;from choosing venuesand suppliers to using
sustainable energy andcreating carbon offsets.
With the use ofbiodegradable cups,Bullfrog Sustainable
Power, compost stations,our bike valet and wastereduction educators, ourtree planting initiatives,we have greatly reduced
our environmentalimpact. In doing so we
hope to help educate thecommunity on the many
ways to improve ourlifestyle while lessening
our carbon footprint.
We are Doing it for The
Better Good!
Saskatoon PrideFestival Goes
GREEN
Gay and Lesbian HealthServices opened its doors inJanuary of 1992. GLHSprovided a community drop-in space, social supportgroups, and also plannedthe Pride Community Fair.
Twenty-six years later, theLGBTQ2S community isvibrant and growing. Manylocal businesses andorganizations are fierce
allies, helping bothOUTSaskatoon andSaskatoon Pride Festivalflourish in our ever changingsociety. We weren't alwaysthis lucky though, take astep back in time with usand learn a bit ofSaskatoon's Queer history!
2
Sheri Benson: What I remember of those early days ofPride is how small it was compared to today and thecontinued disappointment with our city mayor. About100 people marched in the cities second Pride march.The Pride committee was again refused a civicproclmation and a parade permit. Marchers shouted,"we're here, we're queer, we're not about to disappear."
I loved the resiliency of the community to just keep ontruck’in. The Parade was always a small piece ormoment in time of claiming community and space. Abeacon of hope that things are changing slowly butsurely.
OUTyxe: Can you describe the feel of thefirst Pride held in Saskatoon in 1992?
Q & A with MP Sheri Benson
OUTyxe: As some of us know, while youwere the executive director of UnitedWay Saskatoon, you made it a priority toget funding for OUTSaskatoon, then Gayand Lesbian Health Services (GLHS),eventually being the first LGBTQ2Scenter in Canada to receive this funding.How was this process and why was it soimportant to not only you but thecommunity?
Sheri Benson: When OUTSaskatoon became a UnitedWay funded agency was the proudest moment of myUnited Way career. I was so proud of the Board and Iremember one board member who said why wouldn’t wefund OUTSaskatoon. This is what United Way is allabout. Except, he said it much more eloquently. I wishI had written it down.
The moment was a bit surreal.
June 26, 2000 the Rainbow Flag wasflown for the first time at SaskatoonCity Hall. The original flag will be ondisplay at the Western DevelopmentMuseum within the upcoming year aspart of the SK LGBTQ History exhibit.
5 2017 marked 25 years since OUTSaskatoon opened itsdoors as Gay and Lesbian Health Services. It is also theyear that OUTSaskatoon opened Pride Home, Canada'sfirst long-term LGBTQ2S youth group home. Pride Homehoused seven LGBTQ2S youth in its first year!
Same-sex marriage became legal in Saskatchewan onNovember 5, 2004, and on November 6, 2004,Saskatoon's Erin Scriven and Lisa Strumborg becamethe first same-sex couple to be married inSaskatchewan!
4
3
Canada's Largest Sexual & Gender Minority Leadership Retreat
Make your summer last a lifetime!
Visit usask.ca/education/fYrefly to apply today!
Regina, SK
2018
Aug. 16-19
Cooking Corner with Krystal
1. This makes a very large salad and once the salad is dressed, it does not keep well. So, only dress what you are prepared to eat! You will be full
and HAPPY!
2. The dressing thickens when chilled, so be sure to leave it at room temperature to soften before using.
Krystal's Tips!
For the Roasted Chickpea Croutons:
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas drained and rinsed 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) – but it’s delicious, so use it!
For the Caesar Dressing (makes 3/4-1 cup):
1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight 1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 small garlic clove (you can add another if you like it super potent) 1/2 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (I use Wizard's gluten-free
brand) 2 teaspoons capers
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt and pepper, or to taste
For the Nut and Seed Parmesan Cheese: (this is the best part!!)
1/3 cup raw cashews
2 tablespoons hulled hemp seeds 1 small garlic clove
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder fine grain sea salt, to taste
For the lettuce:
1 small/medium bunch kale, destemmed (5 cups chopped)
2 small heads romaine lettuce (10 cups chopped)
Directions:
1. Soak cashews in a bowl of water overnight, or if you are not someonewho plans ahead, soak for at least a few hours, use boiling water. Drainand rinse.
2. Roast chickpea croutons: Preheat oven to 400°F. Drain and rinsechickpeas, pat dry. Place onto large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle on oiland roll around to coat. Sprinkle on the garlic powder, salt, andoptional cayenne (but seriously, use it!). Toss to coat. Roast for 20minutes at 400°F, then gently roll the chickpeas around in the bakingsheet. Roast for another 10 to 20 minutes, until lightly golden. Theywill firm up as they cool.
3. Prepare the dressing: Add the cashews and all other dressingingredients (except salt,) into a high-speed blender, and blend on highuntil the dressing is super smooth. You can add a splash of water ifnecessary to get it blending. Add salt to taste and adjust otherseasonings, if desired. Set aside.
4. Prepare the Parmesan cheese: Add cashews and garlic into a mini foodprocessor and process until finely chopped. Now add in the rest of theingredients and pulse until the mixture is combined. Salt to taste.
5. Prepare the lettuce: Destem the kale and then finely chop the leaves.Wash and dry in a salad spinner. Place into extra large bowl. Chop upthe romaine into bite-sized pieces. Rinse and then spin dry. Place intobowl along with kale. You should have roughly 5 cups chopped kaleand 10 cups chopped romaine.
6. Assemble: Add dressing onto lettuce and toss until fully coated.Season with a pinch of salt and mix again. Now sprinkle on the roastedchickpeas and the Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
For the Nut and Seed Parmesan Cheese: (this is the best part!!)
1/3 cup raw cashews
2 tablespoons hulled hemp seeds 1 small garlic clove
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder fine grain sea salt, to taste
I remember it as one of those extreme summer days, heatrising up from the asphalt in front of City Hall. There weremaybe 300 people milling about, barely a blip in a city of200,000, but that small crowd had a colossal impact onme, and it reverberates even now. Since my very first Pride10 years ago, I’ve worked to recapture that feeling ofacceptance and community over and over again – not justfor myself but also for other LGBTQ+ people around me.
Saskatoon is a vibrant city full of passionate and fiercelyproud lesbians. We are students, athletes, activists,mothers, sisters, teachers, wives, artists and organizers.Everyone knows everyone else – or, at the very least,knows someone who knows someone else. (We seem toshare this quality with lesbian communitieseverywhere.) We’ve grown up - and, frankly, grown -together.
There’s no denying that ours is an increasinglyprogressive city committed to creating safe spaces forits citizens. The Saskatoon Police Service works closelywith our festival – now in its 24th year – to ensureeveryone can be their authentic selves at our events.We host conferences, educate and encourage youth,and partner with various organizations, non-profits, andbusinesses.
Civic rights are not yet where they need to be, notnearly, and part of our mandate is to push communityleaders and politicians for change. Pride isn’t just aboutpartying – it’s a platform, one that enables us toadvocate for widespread equality.
That said, it isn’t Pride if it isn’t fun! Offerings for thoseamong us who identify as female include the Out on theGreen golf tournament, a screening at the queer filmfestival and the new women-specific party, Gurls.
As in many centres, our bars and clubs are more thanjust somewhere to drink and carouse – they’re ourmeeting places and safe spaces. For many years, Iworked as a beer-tub girl and bartender at DivasNightclub – Saskatoon’s longest running gay bar. Evennow, there’s no underestimating its importance to thecity and its queer citizens.
At 33 years old, I have come to realize I am manythings; a cisgender lesbian, a mother of two little boysand a recreational therapist. And I’m a volunteer who’sproud to pile phone calls, email, even management anda whole lot of glitter (both metaphorical and literal)onto an already hectic schedule. Working to createpositive change has been one of the most profoundthings I’ve ever done – and I can only begin to imaginewhat we could all do it we joined together.
It’s no accident that the theme of Saskatoon Pride’s2016 edition was “Pride Shines”: our future isundeniably bright.
"Working to create positive changehas been one of the most profound
things I've ever done."
Prairie Pride
A postcard from Saskatoon By Krystal Nieckar
OUTSaskatoon's Krystal Nieckar wrote this articleback in 2016 for Lez Spread the Word. You can checkout their website at lezspreadtheword.com
Mesa Mechanical offers friendlyand honest plumbing and
gasfitting services for all yourcommercial and residential needs.
Heating Plumbing Cooling
Strikes and the City
Tuesdays at 7:00pm Teams of 4 3 games/ night $20/person/night
Prizes for best team! Windup pizza party!
For Registration Contact: Sean [email protected] 306-665-1224 Darren [email protected] 306-373-4333
Saskatoon's QueerLeague
Saskatoon's QueerLeague
July 3rd - August 28th
East View Bowl 2929 Louise St. Saskatoon, SK
306-373-4333
306-202-8084 mesamechanicalinc.net
For Being a Good Ally During Pride
5 tipsEducate yourself around the historyof Pride - Pride can be a funcelebration of diversity, but it didn’tstart off that way! It's important torespect the reasons why Pride takesplace (human rights) and recognizethat there is still work to be done increating safe, accepting spaces forall.
Be aware of your privilege and thespace you take up at events -Remember that Pride is for theLGBTQ2S community. If you showup to an event that has limitedspace, make sure LGBTQ2S folkshave access to that space first.Also, keep in mind, some events arenot intended for you as well (i.e. aLesbian Lunch).
Be a visible ally - Show your supportby addressing homophobic/transphobic comments and helpcreate safe spaces for everyone.Offer to volunteer at an LGBTQ2Sevent. Help promote LGBTQ2Sfundraisers. And remember, allyshipis about ongoing support, not just aone-time action.
If someone comes out to you, askhow you can support them, andcheck in about who else they are‘out’ to. Never share a person’sidentity with others unless you havereceived 100% expressedpermission to do so from theindividual.
Know that assumptions can hurt –Don’t assume things about aperson’s identity based on theirappearance. Keep assumptions incheck and use inclusive language. Ifyou’re not sure what language touse, check out the “Queer Terms”section on our website(www.outsaskatoon.ca).
Happy Pride Month!
from your friends at
With Jess!
Haunted Edition Proudly Presented By
6:00 - 10:00pm
$125
Saturday, November 3rd
Sheraton Cavalier Main Ballroom
Food * Entertainment * Fun * Celebration * Silent Auction with special performances
Featuring the OUTShine awards!
For tickets to GLITTER or tobecome a Sponsor, visit
outsaskatoon.ca/glitter_2018
presented by RBC
