FLASHBACK :: This milestone series recalls the amazing people, places and moments of a decade gone by. As Nina Arsenault takes Vancouver by storm performing her one-woman show The Silicone Diaries, in which she recounts her international headline-making Crying Game encounter with rocker bad-boy Tommy Lee, we look back at the chat GGT Publisher Shaun Proulx had with Arsenault the day after her encounter, six years ago this month:
|
Let’s get right to the point. There are few in Toronto’s gay community who don’t know who she-male bombshell Nina Arsenault is. Canada’s most famous transsexual (and fab magazine columnist) recently collided Crying Game-style with Tommy Lee, rock star and Pamela Anderson’s on-again-off-again, gifted between the legs. Now everyone’s talking. Shinan Govani, gossip at the National Post broke the story, which was then picked up by the infamous ‘Page Six’ at the New York Post. Across North America celebrity websites are gleefully dishing the dirt; US magazine’s been calling.
But what happened, exactly? And why the fuss? Nina sat down with me late Saturday afternoon to tell her side of the saucy story.
|
| SP: |
I’ve been excited about chatting with you all day. |
| NA: |
Oh, that’s right, you were saying you’ve got a Tommy Lee thing. |
| SP: |
Yes. So set the scene. When were you at Ultra Supper Club? |
| NA: |
It was last Saturday night. I went to Ultra Supper Club with Jason Ford. And you know how there are those little curtained-off areas in the middle, sort of translucent? So you can see people, but you can’t see who they are. It’s a nice place, Ultra. I think it’s classy. But there are these girls walking by in these tiny little mini-skirts, silicone tits out - |
| SP: |
That struck you as odd. |
| NA: |
I said to Jason, ‘What the fuck is going on here, tonight? Do these girls work here? Do they make them dress like that? Because they’re dressed like fucking Hooter’s waitresses.’ Why would someone come to this place dressed like that? And there were a lot them. Young girls. And in particular there was one I was making fun of in this tiny miniskirt. So we were having a laugh about that, eating dinner. And then I was walking to the washroom, and I noticed that when I walked by where Tommy Lee was sitting – and there were about maybe six guys there - everyone would turn. And I heard some guy say, ‘That girl’s body is sickening!’ Like in that good way. But I was just like, ‘whatever’. You know what guys are like. |
| SP: |
But you knew they were talking about you. |
| NA: |
Yes, I did. I knew they were talking about me. So I sat back down at my table. Then this guy comes up, and he’s like, ‘I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but Tommy Lee is at the club.’ |
| SP: |
Who was the guy? |
| NA: |
He said he was one of Tommy Lee’s people. And he said, ‘He’d really like to meet you.’ So I was like: Oh, that’s why there’s all these girls here parading around like this. So he picked me? Oh my lord! But I didn’t say that, I just thought that. I said, ‘I’m eating dinner with my friend, but maybe when I’m finished I’ll consider it.’ I didn’t want be full star-chaser. Because he must have girls like that all the time. And I always think for male stars like that, women are so disposable to them. I was desperate to meet Tommy Lee at that moment, but I wasn’t going to seem it. But then as soon as I was finished eating, as soon as the waiter took my plate away, that guy was back. And he said, ‘So would you consider coming to meet Tommy Lee?’ And at this point I’d had a couple of glasses of champagne, so … |
| SP: |
What is it that made you even interested in meeting him in the first place? Do you find him attractive or are you just interested in hooking up with a celebrity? |
| NA: |
Just the celebrity, and he’s a trophy, and the experience. And I guess …(Pauses to consider.) When there’s all these genetic females lined up, wearing next to nothing, with their hair done, and their tits out and asses up, sucking their waist in? And he comes for me? I felt like the Pamela Anderson of transsexuals! |
| SP: |
Do you think to yourself: ‘He thinks I’m a genetic female’ as you said, or do you think to yourself: ‘He knows I’m transsexual.’ |
| NA: |
No, he thought I was a female at that point. So I go over to meet him. I’m not nervous at all, and I think, ‘You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to treat him just like I treat my clients at stripping.’ And so when I went over to meet him, he introduced me to everyone at his table. |
| SP: |
I read in the Post that he had been drinking since seven in the morning. |
| NA: |
He said he’d been drinking since seven in the morning, but he didn’t seem drunk to me. He was eating some sort of carbohydrate. And then there was no chair for me to sit down on. |
| SP: |
He invited you over and had no chair? |
| NA: |
No. And I do this thing at stripping. (Slides off her chair and crouches down, butt-to-boots, looking upwards.) To talk to a guy I crouch next to his chair like this. So, to speak to the guy I have to look up at him. And that’s a very attractive way for a man to look at a woman, because he’s looking down at her. And when you’re looking up, your face looks best. And it’s almost like you’re right there at his lap, ready to give him a blow-job. So I talk to him there for a moment, and say, ‘Tommy, you know, I left my drink at the other table. So I think it would be gentlemanly if you bought me a drink.’ He was like, ‘Yeah, for sure. You want to do some shots?’ And I said, ‘Let’s do tequila.’ ‘What do you want, gold or silver?’ he says. And I said, ‘Both. Two for you, two for me.’ I was trying to do this edgy thing and not be like a groupie. |
| SP: |
You weren’t going to be one of those bimbos you saw earlier. |
| NA: |
I wasn’t going to be another bimbo or another fart-catcher for him. |
| SP: |
Did you just say ‘fart-catcher’? |
| NA: |
Yes. I wanted to be this ballsy chick: Let’s see if you can drink me under the table. The tequila comes, and I throw mine back like nothing – and then he throws his back and he gagged on his! And at this point I was like, ‘You fucking pussy! You’ve got this badass Motley Crue reputation, tearing-up-hotel-rooms-bullshit and you’re gagging on a shot tequila? And I threw mine back like that?’ Then he laughed and said, ‘Listen, I’ve been drinking since seven am.’ He said, ‘Somebody get this girl a seat.’ But no one could find a chair for me. And so Tommy said, ‘Okay, I’ll just move over on my chair and you can sit on the edge.’ I said, ‘I can’t sit there. I’ve got a lot of junk back there, Tommy.’ So I sat on his lap. And he said, ‘What do you do for a living?’ And I said, ‘Oh, I’m an exotic dancer.’ And he had both arms on either side of me and he gave me two thumbs up and he grinned from ear-to-ear and said, ‘Perfect’! I’ve never seen the Tommy Lee / Pamela Anderson sex tape, but I know he’s notorious for having some huge dick. But when I was sitting on his lap, at that moment when I told him I was a stripper? I’ve never seen that video, but he is packin’ somethin down there! |
| SP: |
You’re my hero for getting that close to it. |
| NA: |
And then I said, ‘Also, I’m a columnist for this magazine. And I talk about sex, and have adventures in the sex business and then write about them.’ He didn’t seem very interested in that. |
| SP: |
He liked your night job better than your day job. |
| NA: |
Yes, he did. Then he said, ‘Who’s that guy you’re sitting with?’ And I said, ‘Oh don’t worry about him, he’s gay. In fact, he’s met you before, he works for MuchMusic. You probably don’t remember him because you meet a million people all the time.’ And Jason didn’t think Tommy would remember him. So then he said, ‘Bring him over.’ And I said, ‘You don’t have a problem with gay people, do you?’ And he said, ‘No, no, not at all, bring him over.’ And then Jason came over into the area. And then I think what happened was that this guy who was there who was high up at MuchMusic, looked at Jason, knowing Jason’s gay, and then looked at me as Jason’s friend. And then I saw him staring at me. And then I saw this happen around the table: (Makes whispering motions.) |
| SP: |
They started playing telephone. |
| NA: |
Each person whispered to the person next to them, who looked at me, who then whispered to the person next to them, who looked at me, who then whispered to the next person who was (eventually) Tommy. And he took a good, hard look at me. And I’m sitting on his lap, so our faces are rightclose together. And he’s looking at me, and I would say we stared at each other for a good ten seconds. |
| SP: |
Which is a long time. |
| NA: |
Which was an eternity. But what are you going to do in that moment when this guy, he’s trying to figure out, ‘Is this, like, a tranny sitting on my lap?’ So I smiled at him, as if to imply, ‘That’s right … I’m a she-male!’ |
| SP: |
But you were playing this whole thing by ear, right? You didn’t have any –
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| NA: |
I didn’t have a hidden agenda, I wasn’t trying to embarrass him. But if Tommy Lee asks you to sit on his lap – |
| SP: |
No need to even finish that sentence. |
| NA: |
So we had this really long look at each other. And I smiled at him and he smiled back at me. But he was cool. He knew he got duped, but he was cool. And then he slapped both his hands down on the table and he went, ‘Well, I’m dying for a cigarette.’ And at that moment I very much had the sense that was a code. Because he spoke it to his bodyguard. And nobody spoke to the bodyguard. People were talking amongst themselves, but the bodyguard was just there. So I said, ‘Oh, great, I’d love to have a cigarette too!’ At that point the bodyguard put his hand up and said, ‘You’re not coming to smoke with us.’ And that was the end of it. |
| SP: |
They went for a cigarette and never came back? |
| NA: |
That’s my interpretation of events. He tried to pick me up, found out I was a she-male, and just decided ‘this is not for me’. |
| SP: |
Would you have slept with him? |
| NA: |
No, I had already decided that I wasn’t going to sleep with him. I’m very much aware that women are disposable to men like this. Because I’ve dated other famous guys, on the down low, and women are disposable to these guys. He can get his dick sucked by anyone. There were girls lined up there that night. With probably that intention. |
| SP: |
Did you ever have it going through your mind, ‘at some point, the fact that I’m not female is going to come up.’ Because I guess I’d ask you that any kind of time when guys are going to think you’re a woman, so what are you going to do? |
| NA: |
I knew he couldn’t kick my ass at Ultra Supper Club if he had a problem with it. I think part of my game was, ‘I’ll see how long I can work this before he figures it out.’ |
Tags: fab magazine, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, Jason Ford, Nina Arsenault, Pamela Anderson, Shaun Proulx, Shaun Proulx Media, Shinan Govani, The Crying Game, The Cultch, The Silicone Diaries, Tommy Lee, Ultra Supper Club, Vancouver
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CONSIDER :: Who knew I’d spend a week inspired by Chris Brown? I’m so enjoying the conversation that continues to flow here and on my Twitter and Facebook. Wednesday night and after my previous post on the subject Lisa asked me if I saw what Chris Brown tweeted (above) after winning a Grammy. Rhett posted it in her comment here on HIMBO! around the same time.
Yeah, I saw it, and I read the slow-motion police report that broke down microscopically his vile attack on Rihanna. So sad and pathetic is this boy. But I don’t change my stance. His tweet is just further evidence of what we all very clearly know: Chris Brown is damaged beyond damaged…(more)
Tags: Chris Brown, Chris Brown arrest report, Coldplay, Fashion Police, Fergie, forgiving Chris Brown, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, Grammy Awards 2012, himbo, joan rivers, Law Of Attraction, LL Cool J, OJ Simpson, Rihanna, Shaun & Friends, Shaun Proulx Media, the power of happiness no matter what, TheGayGuideNetwork, Whitney Houston
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AGEISM :: We think that the recent Huffington Post essay “They Call Me A Slut At 82″ by playwright, actor and author David Leddick should be required reading. So much so in fact, we’re chatting with him from his Miami home shortly, stay tuned for the video. Meanwhile, the question remains:
Have you got romantic experience with someone at least 15 years older than you? Click here to take a survey
Tags: David Leddick, gay ageing, GayGuideToronto.com, Huffington Post, Shaun Proulx Media, TheGayGuideNetwork, They Call Me A Slut at 82
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BUT CAN SHE DIRECT? :: The twentieth in a series as we countdown to the release of Madonna’s new album, and tour. I finally got the chance to see Madonna’s W.E this past weekend. I know – I’m so fucking late. I received a media viewing pass in September when the film was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival, but I was so caught up in Madonna actually being here (see this), I got my dates mix up and I missed it. So, there I was alone last week in a small, Toronto theatre watching “the greatest love story of our time.”
Before I praise Madonna for the work she did, let me get my criticism out of the way. The love that Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) and Edward VIII (James D’Arcy) have for each other does not grow organically in the film. I didn’t believe the development of their infatuation for one another because, frankly, those scenes must have been cut. The storyline goes from Wallis and her then husband visiting the Prince (Edward), to the next scene where they send her husband home and from then on, they are together. It was rather awkward.
I also think that the other main actress in the film, Abbie Cornish (Wally Winthrop), has received the short-end of the stick. Her acting is absolutely impeccable, and the job she does in W.E is beautiful. Madonna has hardly ever mentioned her name when discussing the movie, and she hasn’t made half of the appearances that Andrea Riseborough has made to promote the movie. I found her character to be much more captivating than Simpson, and I found it sad that she has not been acknowledged for the amazing performance she gave.
The sets, costume design, jewelry, hair and make-up, cinematography and historical accuracy that this film has is visually stunning. It is definitely a period piece, and the research and development of the characters and location is beautiful. Kudos to the director. If you had told me that this was an experienced director’s film with twenty years of work under their belt, I would have believed you. It is a beautiful film, with an even more beautiful soundtrack. Both the music and the visuals are reminiscent of Evita – another historical period piece for which Madonna won a Golden Globe. Although W.E is not a musical, it’s no wonder why the original compositions (by Abel Korzeniowski) have been acclaimed. The soundtrack is absolutely charming and the music definitely adds to the film’s story and emotion.
I would definitely recommend seeing this film – if not for the development of its plot, then explicitly for its historical and aesthetic elements. It’s a beautiful film to watch, and I can’t imagine a better Valentine’s Day movie for you and your loved one. I will be seeing it again this evening. Alone.
Only GayGuideToronto.com and Philip Tetro have received the brand new Madonna fragrance Truth or Dare! We can’t say much more than that yet, but stay tuned! More Madonna Watch here.
Tags: abbie cornish, abel korzeniowski, Andrea Riseborough, evita, GayGuideToronto.com, golden globe, james d'arcy, Madonna, Philip Tetro, Shaun Proulx Media, the gay guide network, Toronto International Film Festival, valentine's day, W.E
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TELEVISION :: He may be Port Charles-bound, but eternal fan favourite Tristan Rogers’ heart is still in Genoa City. After winning fans and critics alike with his against-type performance as mobster, Colin Atkinson, Rogers soared as Jill’s sexy love interest and Cane’s evil father. Unfortunately, a year later, Rogers’ stay was inexplicably terminated. Y&R’s loss is GH’s gain, I guess. I spoke with the actor to catch up on all things Mr. Rogers’ Neighbourhood:
Were you surprised that Colin and Jill exploded with the Y&R audience the way they did?
I think that one got by everyone because it was never written to turn out like that. From day one, it was apparent these two had something and we just continued to build on it. There were no guidelines laid out so we went for it. It was very fortuitous that Paul Rauch was the showrunner. Because he just let us “do our thing.”
Why do you think Colin and Jill resonated with the audience so powerfully?
Y&R has a much older base audience. I think that had a lot to do with it. Especially early on. When we had been around for a bit we started attracting an across-the-board audience because we were just plain entertaining.
Did Colin really love Jill?
Absolutely. I think if it had been allowed to evolve and he got into “business” there she might have found his occupation quite stimulating. In a guilty way, of course!
Did Jill really love Colin?
Yes she did. Right up until he left.
Jill and Colin appeared to have quite the sex life! How important is it for soaps to show passion for the over-40 set?
[Very,] because that’s their audience. I don’t believe any kids in any significant numbers are watching these shows. I look at what my own kids watch and they wouldn’t be caught dead watching a show like this even though I’m on it. And this is the fault of the networks. They just haven’t adjusted the genre to really appeal to a younger developing audience. And now with reality shows in the picture, the job is so much harder. Note: I didn’t say impossible.
Your fave Y&R acting/story moment?
I never really had a story so let’s go with the acting moments. There were several. When I had the first bed scene with Jill and play dress-up. There was the moment in her office when we got caught. And most of the scenes with Jeanne [Cooper]. I used to work at making her crack up.
What was it like working with Emmy winner Jess Walton?
She was “no bullshit” right from the start. And of course I’m “nothing but,” so it was an interesting combo right from the beginning. She was very easy to work with and just fell into line with the direction these two went in. She liked it.
RELATED READING :: BEHIND JILL ABBOTT
Was is strange/surreal working opposite “Laura,” Genie Francis, as Gen?
We both really tried to give these two the “relationship background” that they must have had. Nothing was really laid out here. We decided early on that we would try and fill in the blank spots and give this couple a place to come from. I mean, they must have had an intense relationship at some stage. She’d never slept with anyone else and he was faithful to her. We decided that was the premise. Where it got muddy was that she blamed him for everything that was wrong in her life and yet she must have enjoyed the benefits that his position gave. Another bit that was hard to get around was her craziness. Why would Colin have a nut job like this for a wife, and was it really his fault that she was like this? So many things unanswered. I remember being told she was coming on board and didn’t believe it. When I was informed she was my ex I thought, “this will be interesting.” We both thought it could have had an interesting dynamic to it, but that never happened.
In hindsight, sum up your Y&R experience.
A very positive one. My biggest concern when I started was that I did not want to come across as “Scorpio as a criminal.” I wanted to establish from the start that this was a different animal. The fact that there was no fanfare and the character just snuck in the back door, so to speak, helped. There was no time for the audience to get any preconceived ideas here. He just started to grow on you.
RELATED READING :: Inside Adam Newman
What are the differences between working on Y&R and GH?
GH has always been different from every other soap. Gloria Monty established most of the differences. Today there isn’t much of what she established left, but there is something. And it comes down to the fact that GH employs adifferent story structure and a different story management. Although much of this has been wiped out, there is enough left to set GH aside. The stories unfold in a different way. Back in the ‘80s this was very evident. The stories were told in a way that made the characters engaging. On Y&R, the stories unfold in a more traditional way. The stories are more compartmentalized. On GH, one story was generally broken down into several stories and each story dealt with a different part of the main story. Eventually they all came together. GH was the only soap to employ this form of story management. Everybody thought back then it was all Luke and Laura. Far from it. There was a very well-thought-out plan around how the story would play out.
Would you consider returning as Colin?
In a heartbeat. I just delighted in what was happening. The foundations for a very interesting family were all there — father, son and father’s lover. Even Genie could have been a great part of a triangle. So many great elements…
Enjoy Nelson Branco’s steamy weekly, Soap Opera: Uncensored, where the full version of this interview appears.
Tags: Adam Newman, Colin Atkinson, GayGuideToronto.com, General Hospital, Genie Francis, GGT, Jill Abbott, Nelson Branco, Paul Rauch, Robert Scorpio, Shaun Proulx Media, Soap Opera: Uncensored, TheGayGuideNetwork, Tristan Rogers
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DEATH OF A TITAN :: GGT publisher and life-long Whitney Houston fan Shaun Proulx shares his reaction to Whitney Houston’s passing on our sister site, HIMBO!
Tags: GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, Heartbreak Hotel, himbo, I will always love you, Shaun Proulx Media, TheGayGuideNetwork, Whitney Houston
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PSYCHIC :: Dear Miki, I’m a 21 year old lesbian. and after coming out as gay, I fell in love 2 times but it always ended up with me not telling my feelings and the other person getting a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Last month, I met this girl and I feel that we have this connection but my friends tell me that she’s just playing around with me, and I should let go. She went back to her country for 2 months and will be coming back in April. Will I ever have a chance with her? Signed, Unsure
You are just beginning to explore serious relationships, and have made one small error of jumping in too deep too soon to uncharted waters. You have no promise or commitment to this girl and are waiting for her like a faithful puppy, while she is out of the country having a good time and certainly not sitting home in front of the TV. I have even more caution flags coming up for me than your friends, and would suggest you start looking for a more stable date. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, for you have many great qualities another would want in a partner.
Daily Affirmation :: Love is not based on age nor is loyalty, what matters is that we know how to abide by the rules of both.
MIKIPEDIA :: Each and every person that I have done a reading for over the years is very different and individual in their own way. Everyone also has special qualities to contribute to a relationship, but often they fail to recognize them and feel that they fall short of the mark in what they have to offer a partner. The consequence of feeling this way is that we hang on to romantic liaisons and relationships that have nothing to offer in return and create disappointment and heartbreak. The real key to attracting the love and respect we deserve lies within and believing that we deserve the best destiny that the universe has to offer.
Email your detailed question to [email protected] for consideration. Please include with your question: names, birth dates and photos (if available), of yourself and those you wish to ask about, and a brief description of your situation. All identities will be kept confidential.
Tags: Ask Miki, diving into love, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, Psychic Miki, Shaun Proulx Media, TheGayGuideNetwork
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MILESTONE :: This April Fools’ Day marks a decade since GGT, Toronto’s original queer web portal, was launched into cyberspace, which makes us younger than Yahoo! and older than Facebook and Twitter. Our mission was – and still is – to support our community and it’s people, and to provoke thought and provide upliftment.
Throughout the year Shaun Proulx Media will celebrate our birthday in fine style (congratulations to GGT-er Benjamin Ross who is fresh off the Caribbean cruise he won from us last month). This new flashback feature will recall the amazing people, places and moments of a decade gone by.
GGT founder and publisher Shaun Proulx recalls what propelled the idea of a gay web portal for Toronto: “I’d just quit my finance career, and although the technology bubble had burst I was fortunate enough to have a keen understanding – from investing in the tech sector – that as a society we were going to be intertwining our real lives with virtual worlds. So in beginning to pursue my creative ambitions, I also knew technology had to be the way I did it. With GGT I saw a niche within my own community I could fill that would allow me to combine business and art, and be the launching pad for a new career. Ten years later, here we are.”
Ten years ago, we began by publishing GGT online once a month as ‘issues’ rather than on a daily basis. We even had a cover each time (a concept some complained to us about because of the extra ‘click’ that was required to get into the site!). Our first, above, revealed the contents within as well as a (really, really awful) tagline we would soon put to rest, replacing it with the one that lives on today and informs what we do best here at GGT: ‘Thinking Outside The Triangle’.
In the excerpt below: Xtra! covers our launch. We have to laugh at how far we and technology have come from the days of “reciprocal links”!
- TheGayGuideNetwork
Tags: GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, GGT 10, Shaun Proulx Media
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Image: Darren Stehle
ACHIEVEMENT :: I’m finding it difficult to find a single word to describe my emotional state this morning. I was considering schadenfreude and bittersweet but neither hits the mark. I am not taking pleasure in someone’s discomfort therefore feeling ashamed of my emotions. Bittersweet is perhaps closer to the truth.
Last night was the playoffs for my gay volleyball team. We were 8th place in B-pool. We were playing against very good teams and I think the energy was something between excitement, fun, and nervousness. I wanted to play well and have fun, but yes I was feeling competitive and wanted to do my best. Leaving the change room to go warmup, one of my teammates was just arriving. “Ready to lose?” he said. ‘No’, I said. “I’m ready to win Gold!”
On the first game we won and then tied. In the second game we won both sets. And on the final game we lost and then tied. We thought we were going to get a silver, and we were very content with that outcome.
As the awards were being handed out, they announced the silver medal winners. I think we were all expecting to move forward and take that medal. I know that I took a step but instead they called another team. We looked at each other, eyebrows raised in excitement. We simply did not believe we had won the gold.
When I got home I began to feel swell of emotions. Past emotions, and past memories. This was the very first time I had ever won an award or a medal for playing a sport. When I was in elementary school and then in high school I hated gym. I was the skinny guy who everyone realized was gay. I didn’t seem to understand sports nor did I seem to have skill to play well. My two strongest memories of those times are of always being called last or second last when selected for a team, or being hit upon the hardest when we had to play murder ball in the gym because of rain. In murder ball I was usually one of the last standing. There I showed skill to run, to move and to dodge. It was some form of ironic allegory that I could avoid being hit by the ball but not deflect the social criticism as being labeled a Fag.
All of those feelings, those fears, the upset, the memories, the loneliness swelled up inside of me last night. I tried to let them go before bed, but I woke up after having slept exceptionally well still feeling tired and emotionally exhausted.
It was the best thing and the worst thing winning that Gold medal last night. But to contradict myself it really was the best thing. This is why gay and lesbian sports organizations exist. Something like TSVL, the Toronto Spartan Volleyball League, exists for people like me. It’s an environment of fun, openness, safety, freedom, and skills development to become a better player. I let go and allowed myself to play, to experience fun and be in the moment in sport. At 46 years old that was the first time I felt that way, other than in private, physical activities like working out, stretching and cycling.
I would like to express my gratitude to all of my teammates of team 17, ‘In The Hole’. You guys were so much fun, helpful, and a pleasure to see every week. And to TSVL for the Player Development Clinics, all of which I attended and helped me to improve as a better player. What an incredible organization. And to the man I’m dating, Christiaan, who in August of this year suggested we sign up for volleyball. He is playing in competitive and I am playing recreational. You made it easy but you also encouraged me, because there were a couple times in the beginning when I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay and keep playing. But you suggested I stick it out. I’m so glad I did. Thank you.
- Darren Stehle is a Personal Trainer, Thai Massage & Nutrition Coach in Toronto. Join him on Twitter and Facebook.
© 2011 Darren Stehle & Integrated Fitness. All Rights Reserved.
Tags: achieving, Darren Stehle, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, Inspiration, queer sports, Shaun Proulx Media, TheGayGuideNetwork, Toronto Spartan Volleyball League
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TheGayGuideNetwork's Sabrina Pirillo would go back to Philly. / Image: Shaun Proulx Media
ITINERARY :: As Philadelphia preps to become new home this spring to the world’s largest collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings, we sent travel writer Sabrina Pirillo to explore the city of brother love and surrounding counties, scoping out the best surprises this historic region has to offer.
I admit I never imagined that visiting Philadelphia and it’s surrounding counties would result in enjoying as much culture, culinary wonder and historical adventure as this jaunt did. But the absolute beauty and architecture of the area, the culinary experiences to be had, a vast array of attractions (including outstanding shopping!), and, frankly, the people, left me craving another visit. Smack dab between New York and Washington – each city being two hours way – I easily envision a road trip combining it all, but I digress.
Philadelphia is one of the most historical cities I’ve ever visited. So beautiful, so indescribable that the only way to truly understand how amazing this city is to see it for yourself. Then, as I learned, get out of the city for a few days and experience Philadelphia’s surrounding counties for luscious gardens, feel good food, and peaceful beauty. Between the accommodations, cuisine, museums and architectural beauty, Philly and its outskirts will see you coming back.
- The Barnes Foundation Rendering / Photo Courtesy of the Barnes Foundation
Philadelphia is currently enjoying prepping to become the new digs of The Barnes Foundation beginning May 19th (what are you doing that long weekend?) in a duplicated version of Barnes’ famed original gallery layout. A new building will allow the world’s largest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings—including 181 Renoirs, 69 Cezannes, 59 Matisses, 46 Picassos and 7 Van Goghs; over 3,000 paintings in all – to be viewed and fully appreciated as intended. The Barnes Foundation will sit along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, an already established cultural district in the area.
The world's second-tallest masonry building, Philadelphia City Hall is a classic example of the stunning architecture to be enjoyed. Image: Sabrina Pirillo / Shaun Proulx Media
I’m not sure I’ve ever been anywhere where the residents all seem to have a vast historic knowledge of their city. It was true of every Philadelphian I met: you could ask anyone about anything, from building to landmark and it’s always (correctly) answered, and with a certain pride. I loved that.
Philadelphia, home of the infamous Liberty Bell and the Rocky Statue (Rocky and me, above), has so much history and architecture I felt I was in a European city. I walked around for hours, discovering something more fascinating than the next at every corner. My favourite: The Franklin Institute, where a breathtaking statue of American founding father (and the inventor of the lending library – who knew?) Benjamin Franklin greets you upon arrival.
Room 587, Loews Philadelphia Hotel
The Accommodations: One of the greatest works of the 20th century, Loews Philadelphia Hotel is conveniently located within Philly’s gaybourhood and was the first international modernist high-rise building in the city with fantastic views of the unique architecture I (clearly) fell in love with. Today it still retains such details as Cartier clocks, bank vault doors, and polished granite, and it’s genuinely friendly staff and modern amenities (I loved their pool!) make it a perfect stay.
Our ‘Be Your Gay Self Comfort Rating’ for Loews Philadelphia Hotel: 3.5 out of 5.
Let’s Eat: There are definitely an abundance of great eateries in Philadelphia, and although it’s best knows for its Philly Cheesesteak, (a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long roll) there are a great variety of fine dining restaurants. For the best international flavour around, Zaghav will suit your every need; if you’ve never had duck heart, this is the place to try it. It’s welcoming staff, affordable prices and delicious food will want you asking for more. Order one of everything and share with some friends.
Situated in Philadelphia’s gaybourhood, Valanni‘s is a great place to go for brunch, especially after a long night of cocktails and dancing, in which case have the Valanni Hangover (trust me) which comes with eggs, meat, potatoes and a virgin Bloody Mary.
Let’s Drink: There are several great nightclubs to check out in Philly. Woody’s is the first traditional stop on your first visit in their ‘hood, with an open sports bar downstairs and chic lounge / high tech dance club on the second floor. Or try Tavern on Camac, a casual and friendly pub / piano bar, with a dance bar upstairs.
Notably gay in Philly: Outfest is the largest National Coming Out party known, and takes place at the beginning of each October, bringing in 40-50,000 people each year. Check out our article from last year’s festival.
GGTravel Tip: Click here for a complete list of gay-friendly hotels in the Greater Philadelphia Region, plus information on gay and lesbian events and attractions.
Philly Outskirts
Leaving the city of brotherly love will have you loving some hidden secrets sure to make your trip memorable. I hit Chester, Valley Forge and New Hope counties.
Chester County: Anyone For ‘Shrooms?
Sabrina says: Try the 'shroom bread!
Forty-five minutes from downtown Philadelphia, resplendent Chester County is home to beautiful gardens, peaceful scenery, and amazing food. For nature lovers, Longwood Gardens (below) is a place of absolute stunning beauty. With 1,050 acres of natural woodlands, majestic gardens, exquisite flowers, dazzling fountains, and opulent conservatories, it’s no wonder Longwood has attracted celebrity visitors known to love the finer things, from Barbra Streisand to Joan Rivers.
A visit should include lunch at The 1906, named after the year that Pierre DuPont (heir to the DuPont empire) acquired Longwood Gardens. Make sure to try the mushroom bread (above). I’m not kidding, you will give up any carb diet the second you taste a morsel.
Two Musts :: For warm hospitality, a candlelit atmosphere, roaring fireplaces, and amazing American cuisine, plan dinner at the Dilworthtown Inn. The Inn at Whitewing Farm in West Chester is an absolutely stunning 1700′s farmhouse. The gracious hospitality of it’s owners makes staying here feel like home. Whitewing Farm is adjacent to Longwood Gardens and is just minutes from the Brandywine River Museum.
Tell Sammy and Lance at Whitewing Farm Sabrina sent you.
Valley Forge, PA :: Get History Buffed
For my fellow history buffs reading this, you must visit Valley Forge, home of Valley Forge National Historical Park. Visited by 1.2 million people each year, the park sits on 3,500 acres of rolling hillsides and sparkling streams and is famous as the site of George Washington’s winter encampment from 1777-1778. I could have spent days exploring it’s 25 miles of trails and historic structures, which included Washington’s headquarters, replica soldier huts, and countless monuments of one of America’s best known historical times. GGTravel Tip :: For the full experience, take a guided tour where you’ll learn things about Washington you knew nothing about, like his love of peas and how he dodged an assassination. Opening next year, Valley Forge Casino Resort will open it’s doors to the leisure and business travellers, and includes stylish guestrooms, 100,000 square feet of meeting and convention facilities, top-notch amenities, and a variety of dining options, with an addition of a full scale world class gaming facility.
George Washington was here.
King of Prussia (Or: Enough with the history, let’s shop!)
A shopping mall mecca resides in Pennsylvania and its name is quite fitting: King of Prussia. They aren’t exaggerating with this lofty title! King of Prussia’s tag line is “Experience The World” and I’ve decided that’s because the mall feels as big as our planet! It’s the largest mall on the east coast with 400 stores and 13,000 parking spaces. Broken down into 2 sections, “The Court” and “The Plaza”, the court is the smaller of the two and it has a variety of stores for the consumer not looking to splurge. “The Plaza”, however, is a line up of high end designer boutiques, and it’s the only place in the world where you can find Nordstroms, Sack’s Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus, Tiffany & Co., Williams-Sonoma, Bloomingdales and Macys all under one roof! SABFACT: Pennsylvania is home to my four favourite words in the English language: tax-free clothes and shoes.
Shopping got you hungry? Wimp! If you must make time to eat, Creed’s Seafood and Steaks is a perfect place to grab lunch before terrorizing your credit card for another few hours.
New Hope :: If You Want To Fit In, You’d Better Be Yourself
How special is New Hope? Their welcome mat reads: “Come as YOU are and please stay that way.” Cynical? Think that’s a platitude? The 300-year-old village of New Hope is the subject of the award winning film Embraceable You, where their welcome mat reads, “Come as YOU are and please stay that way.” Who on earth wouldn’t want to visit such a unique place on earth.
The Accommodations :: Like New Hope, the 1740 House Riverside Inn is carefree and beautiful, and the perfect place to sleep (if you like the idea waking up in the morning and walking out onto your porch overlooking the Delaware River and being greeted by a sunrise like this.)
Let’s Eat :: One of New Hope’s most stunning historical buildings is where the New Orleans inspired Marsha Brown Restaurant resides. This one hundred and fifty year old church turned into 3 levels of fine dining is filled with detailed architecture, georgeous paintings, amazing food and staff that will make you feel right at home.
Time To Drink: The Raven is the top gay motel/restaurant and bar in the Philadelphia region. What makes it very popular in the Summer time is the outdoor pool and sundeck. With Sunday Tea in the afternoon and karaoke at night, The Raven is a great place to grab a drink and meet some friends any time of the day.
MUST LINKS:
facebook.com/VisitPhilly
facebook.com/VisitGayPhilly
twitter.com/VisitPhilly
visitphilly.comor uwishunu.com
www.valleyforge.org
twitter.com/visitvf
facebook.com/visitvalleyforge
www.brandywinevalley.com
VisitBucksCounty.com
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Tags: Chester County, Embraceable You, Gay Philly, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, GGTravel, King of Prussia, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Longwood Gardens, New Hope, Outfest, Philadelphia, Sabrina Pirillo, Shaun Proulx Media, The Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute, TheGayGuideNetwork, Valanni's, Valley Forge, Visit Gay Philly
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