From the opening of The World AIDS conference in Vienna, long-time AIDS activist Enrico Mandarino shares what would be this year’s key message.
At the opening of the XVIII International AIDS Conference, scientific, community and political leaders applauded recent progress towards universal access but said that if will ever see a world without AIDS we must “ finish what we started”:
Three pillars of success are said to include:
- Protection of human rights
- Widespread evidence based interventions ( eg needle exchange)
- Sustained financing
In the welcome speech president of the International AIDS Society and Canadian Dr Julio Montaner continued his strong messages to start people on ARV treatments earlier, setting the stage for the entire conference.
For the first time since the development of life saving treatments for HIV there is evidence of game-changing scenarios demonstrating that sustained and widespread access to ARVs can save lives and help reverse the epidemic.
We have gone from almost no one on HAART in 2005 to nearly 5 million today. Julio mentioned his profound disappointment with G8/G20 commitment in 2005 to have universal access by 2010 and they “quite simply, failed us”
The WHO has put forward new guidelines calling for better HAART regimens and earlier initiation of therapy, at a higher CD4 threshold of 350.
In the last several years, several groups have generated a compelling body of evidence demonstrating that HAART is not only effective at preventing HIV- related morbidity and mortality, but also dramatically decreases HIV transmission from all routes. “This has now been widely accepted as the way to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV and WHO and UNAIDS have called for the global elimination of HIV as a result”
It is high time to acknowledge that “Treatment is Prevention” and this new understanding is a game changer. He said that his clinic reported in the Lancet that the progressive roll out of HAART in BC, leading to a 50% decrease in new HIV diagnoses among injection drugs users in BC over the last 3 years.
Julio quoted France’s first lady Ms Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who said, “We have a historic opportunity, in a few years we can eradicate AIDS from the surface of the planet. Treating everyone means halting transmission of the virus, in other words, stopping the epidemic”
Pride Toronto
What do DJs Micky Friedmann, Aron, Dave and Gerardo have in common? They’re all extremely talented and good-looking, but they’re also headlining what promise to be some of the most memorable events taking place in the 30th edition of Pride Toronto, from June 25 to July 4. We met these kings of house music to learn more about the men that will make Toronto dance.
By André Ferreira
Micky Friedman – Berlin
How did it all begin?
Music was a part of my life since I was a child. My parents used to listen to a lot of classical music, Latin music and electronic music that my father brought to Israel from the U.S.A.
I started dancing when I was 11. From then on music was around me eight hours every day.
As a teenager I started going out to clubs in Israel and was always interested in new music, the new mixes and new productions. I was dancing ballet during the week and went out to the clubs on the weekend.
A dancer’s life is very demanding and demands a lot of discipline, so in 1998 when I moved to Berlin to join the Berlin Ballet as a soloist, I bought two used turntables and a mixer. I then started teaching myself how to spin as a way to unwind and relax after a long day in the ballet studio. It was good to come home and enjoy playing different kind of music just for fun.
I never really thought that I would become a professional DJ. It was after I met Junior Vasquez that something clicked in my mind and with his support I felt I wanted to give it a try.
After I decided to end my ballet career I started playing in small lounges in Berlin and from then on everything started to role.
Who’s throwing the best parties at the moment?
Spain! The Spanish parties are the hottest parties in the world at the moment: Matinee, the new ´Circuit festival´ in Barcelona, ‘Supermartxe,’ ‘WE,’ ‘Space of sound’ in Madrid. There are other amazing parties in Europe, such as ´La Demence´ in Brussels, and ´Rapido´ in Amsterdam.
How do you feel physical appearance affects a DJ’s career? Do you think in this industry looks are as important as talent?
I believe one should never be credited for something they didn´t work hard for. Yes, it is a wonderful gift being born with the right genes, but it’s important to keep things in perspective. There are so many great looking guys around; the real magic is to shine for your talent, not only for your looks.
When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
When I´m done I usually like to go back to my room and have a warm shower. It takes me a while to unwind and I always think about my set for a while after it´s finished. If my tall beautiful Russian boyfriend travels with me we chill out and spend quality time together. If there is a good after hours it is always fun to go listen to some great music and relax.
How do you feel about playing during Pride Toronto?
Canada and Toronto have a very special place in my heart. I was warmly embraced from the very first time I arrived to play here. It is a great honor to be a part of these incredible events of during Gay Pride Toronto.´ Playing two major events during Gay pride is an overwhelming blessing.
To hear Micky during Pride Toronto
July 3 at the Main Event: Olympus, Sound Academy. Admission: $60 advanced. More information: prismtoronto.com
July 4 at the Tree House Party, Green Space on Church (Cawthra Square Park). Free admission, contributions go to the 519 Community Centre. For more information: www.the519.org
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Aron
Tel Aviv, London
How did it all begin?
It all began when I lived in New York City ten years ago. I bought two turntables and some records and started to play for my friends in my house. From there I made some demo sets which I would distribute to promoters. I then started getting bookings. My first gig was for White Party Palm Springs.
Who’s throwing the best parties at the moment?
I now live in Europe so for me the best parties are ‘Supermartxe’ and ‘Circuit Festival’ in Barcelona.
How do you feel physical appearance affects a DJ’s career? Do you think in this industry looks are as important as talent?
I think it’s important to look good as a DJ, but you have to have a talent as well. If you have no talent, you won’t go far. It doesn’t matter if you look good because in the end, it’s the music that makes people dance.
When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
It depends on where I’m playing. If I’m playing in a party where I’m alone without my friends around, I like to go back to the hotel and relax and get some sleep. If I have my friends around it’s an entirely different story!
How do you feel about playing during Pride Toronto?
I’m thrilled because it’s my first time in Toronto and I know many people in the city who are very excited to hear me live. I’m also very happy to share the decks with some of my DJ friends.
To hear Aron during Pride Toronto
July 4 at the Tree House Party, Green Space on Church (Cawthra Square Park). Free admission, contributions go to the 519 Community Centre. For more information: www.the519.org
July 5 Rise and Shine afterhours, Official PRISM after-hour at The Barn.
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Dave and Gerardo
New York
How did it all begin?
We started dating in 2007 and shortly after we purchased our first set of turntables together and began practicing every day. We each brought our own perspective and taste, but learned how to work together and create something cohesive. Our “big break” was an opening spot for Ana Paula in New York City. That set went really well and opened a lot of doors for us.
Who’s throwing the best parties at the moment?
That depends on the city. Rosane Amaral’s R:Evolution parties in Brazil have an incredible energy. Hilton Wolman has been throwing great parties in Florida for years, and Ric Sena’s Alegria in New York is consistently extravagant. At the same time, it’s also nice to see some up and coming promoters starting their own parties.
How do you feel physical appearance affects a DJ’s career? Do you think in this industry looks are as important as talent?
We both believe that talent trumps all else. There’s no doubt physical appearance may help a DJ get recognized, but they need to prove themselves once given the opportunity. For us, we want to be known for turning out the beats.
When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
Immediately after a big party, we usually order a large pizza and pig out. But seriously, we just bought a condo together, so we have been really busy moving in, decorating, and spending time together.
How do you feel about playing during Pride Toronto?
We are honored to play in Toronto for the first time during Pride. We’re especially looking forward to playing at the Tree House Party. It’s such a large event that raises money for causes that are important to our community.
To hear Dave and Gerardo during Pride Toronto
July 4 at the Tree House Party, Green Space on Church (Cawthra Square Park). Free admission, contributions go to the 519 Community Centre. For more information: www.the519.org
As if Toronto Pride wasn’t controversial enough this year, then came the announcement local luminaries Todd Klinck and Mandy Goodhandy had accepted the honour of acting as the Grand Marshals of this year’s Pride Parade – after it was declined by the original first choice. I spoke with Goodhandy and Klinck Friday evening for a candid conversation about accepting the honour, not doing as everyone thinks they should, and why from a broader perspective, all the current community upset is good.
This was an honour you both had gone after in other years. This year you got it in an unusual way. What went through your head when you were offered the position of Grand Marshal – was it an easy decision to make in the current climate?
MG: It was an easy decision to make to accept the award, but difficult under the circumstances. Because you have to remember we are activists. We’ve had to really go about it thinking what it says about us, what it says to the community. Young kids are coming from small towns, and they never get to see this sort of thing – they come this year and there’s nothing?
I know, a lot of youth find the Pride celebrations a beacon of hope, and of course I’m like you guys with concerns nonetheless. I make my living off of words. But beyond the main issues that the community is all over, we can’t forget there are other important aspects of Pride that are in danger, such as what you just said: this event means something tremendous to our youth. There is more to Pride than the issues been going on. What’s the response been like from others – I saw mixed stuff on Facebook; you’ve issued two statements.
TK: I think when you filter out the nonsense; it’s been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. And it’s mostly initial reactions that are understandable, the question: Why? Why are you not doing what everyone else is? Why are you not doing what we expect you to do? That’s why we did the statements, we had a clear reason and we wanted to put that out there. Because a lot of people we respect are not doing things, bowing out or this or that. Once our statements were posted, people ‘re-friended me’.
Have you found there has been a degree of that, that “Hey, you should be thinking and speaking and behaving exactly the way I think you should?”
TK: Yes, yes.
MG: People have been TELLING us what we should be doing. In bold subject lines: WE URGE YOU … you should be doing this or that … very adamant. We were being quite quiet about it, because that’s sometimes what you have to do, let the waves go over. Unfortunately people thought that just because we were being quiet meant we were afraid. And Todd has never been afraid of anything and neither have I.
Neither of you have, and that’s one reason why I think it’s appropriate you are the Grand Marshals this particular year – you are behaving in accordance to how you feel, dealing with this the way you wish to, sticking to your own guns and not giving concern to whether it’s popular. I admire that, and think it’s a wonderful message at Pride. You represent fearlessness, authenticity, your backgrounds as sex workers … I’m excited about it.
When you talk about people urging you to do as they wish you to do – and I’ve received this too – the continuation of someone telling you what to do is really “because if you don’t do things the way I think you should do them, I won’t be happy. My happiness depends on everything happening the way I need it to happen, and if it doesn’t I will wag my finger at you and maybe even behave nastily towards you.”
(They laugh)
MG: Exactly. It was really bad that Todd had to put out a second statement in layman’s terms for people who didn’t get it the first time. It shouldn’t have had to be necessary; what bothered us was the lack of trust. We don’t sit back on that kind of thing. We totally respect everyone’s opinions, and we never once wrote back on Facebook that we thought anyone was wrong. Activism to us is not hatred, and pointing and blaming and bullying. They are looking to blame somebody, they were shocked and don’t know how to react, and so they react instead of act. I just wish everyone would wait until July 5th. Then we’ve got a year to straighten this out.
Don’t you think that people who want things straightened out by this Pride are shit out of luck? Because the nature of our Pride right now – like it or not, and I see the arguments, always have – the nature of Pride at this exact point in time is that it’s highly funded. It’s corporate funded, government funded. And you simply cannot change that entire world in a few weeks.
MG: If you feel that Pride should not be corporate anymore, then fine. Go back and do a walk, when that’s all it was. But you’re not going to get 1,000,000 people watching the walk. To take one thing on you have to lose something. But that’s up to individuals. Our decision is to march in front of all these kids and all these people who fought so hard to live the way they want to live.
Todd what about you. What does change mean to you?
TK: I have a personal view that I like the big Pride. I like the big festival Pride – someone on FB said it really well, the cacophony of Pride – the random signs from fringe groups, the paper machier gay pilots association, TD Bank, the money, the whole of Chinatown watching it, straight people with their kids watching it. This is progress, this is what the first march led to. I want that kind of Pride, I like that kind of Pride. I think it’s important.
One thing I notice out of this is that people have desperately wanted a political pride for as long as I can remember. Now it’s here full force yet people still won’t stop screaming about the cooperative components that brought the politics back. That is what holds you back from moving forward, staying focused still on what brought you the very thing you were wanting.
MG: I wish we could all get what we want, but it never works that way. There’s always going to be differences of opinion. I love activists, I love that they are speaking out and protecting all of our rights. Please don’t get me wrong; I think it’s amazing. Let (QuAIA) march. All that has been banned is one term. I get it. Let’s get this straightened out for next year.
TK: And I think (QuAIA) are going to go out with that term, and see if the City is going to stop you. I doubt it.
Key words “the City”. I think the focus has not been on the City, who as far as I understand are the ones who put the pressure on Pride Toronto. I wish the activity that’s gone down in anger and protest had been pointed at The City.
TK: It seems pretty clear it’s the City. But all the energies have been focused at Pride Toronto. It’s a pack mentality, it’s a like crazy journalism mentality.
MG: It’s too bad it all had to happen, but it had to happen.
TK: And now you’ve got sex workers leading the parade. I’m happy about that. How much for activist can you get. It says right on our sign: “Decriminalize Sex Work Now”.
Let’s talk about that. To me that’s leading edge, sex workers leading a Pride parade. What does it mean to you?
TK: The decriminalization movement is happening right now. We’ve been involved in it, we fundraise, there’s a court battle on right now.
MG: It’s about mainstream. If you don’t start educating the mainstream, they are afraid of it. If you show them, they’re like “Okay, let’s talk about it more”. We’re doing what we can for our part of it, and this is our part of it.
We’ve talked today about the idea of focus, and the idea of mainstream and the idea of people watching. So sex worker issues, censorship issues, QuAIA’s issues – these are all being highlighted because of the stage on which this is being played out – more so that if it had never happened this way.
MG: Yes! When it comes to the people who are fighting with each other, I think what’s happening is differences of opinion and we’re passionate about our opinions, and if that ever stops we’re screwed. If people aren’t talking, no one is going to hear what anyone has to say. I was very angered about some of the comments that were directed towards us when we accepted the honour. I was extremely angered. But I thought, ‘they are entitled to what they think, let’s see what happens and I can’t judge them back. Let’s see what happens when the dust settles.’
Because otherwise you add to the very thing that you’re judging.
TK: It’s never good to go into back and forth when it’s all rage. Say your piece, chill a bit, and eventually we can all talk.
I said this to you in an email: You picked a doozy of a year to do what you are doing. I want to offer my congratulations again – well done.
MG: Thank you so much Shaun and thank you for the opportunity.
Shaun Proulx is the publisher of GayGuideToronto.com and HIMBO! and hosts The Shaun Proulx Show Fridays at 7:30 pm only on OUTtv.
Jun
15
Pride Toronto is making worldwide headlines this year, and not for the fact that legendary 80’s icon and LGBT supporter Cyndi Lauper is performing a free concert, but more for the community angst generated by the Board’s decision to ban two words.
One of Toronto’s biggest parties of the summer has suddenly become a point of dissent for many members of the local queer community. What began last year as a somewhat small contentious issue has spiraled into a divide amongst members of the LGBT community, as well as political leaders, sponsors and the general population. Last month the Pride Board voted to ban the words “Israel Apartheid” from being displayed in the annual parade happening on Sunday July 4th this year.
The groupQueers Against Israel Apartheid had marched last year and it was reported that some individuals were offended by their inclusion in the Pride festivities, as they felt uncomfortable with their presence, stating their message didn’t fall within the context of what Pride was all about. Earlier this year, both sponsors and the City of Toronto questioned the role of this group within Pride and threatened the possibility of retracting funding.
The City stated the group may contravene anti-discrimination laws, and the likes of TD Canada Trust were somewhat confused and caught off guard by the whole controversy. Over the years Pride has grown both in attendance numbers, and overall scope. For the first time this year Pride will be presenting part of their festivities at Queen’s Park, far removed from the traditional gay village confines of the Church and Wellesly area. Some say this maybe a trial run for the upcoming World Pride celebrations taking place in the City in 2014, while others are calling it segregation.
Taking the brunt of all this is Executive Director Tracey Sandilands, who took over the reins of Pride last year, after emigrating here from South Africa. It is somewhat ironic that she is now embattled in a censorship controversy that began with the word apartheid, something that she is well aware of from her youth. “I was rebelling against apartheid rules since I was a teenager, holding meetings and social functions with mixed races”, she states. To be caught between sides is definitely a challenge she wasn’t expecting, but one that she has to contend with. Many of the activists are looking to Pride to challenge the City, should they move forward with the threat of pulling back their funding, a decision that will come to light on Monday June 14th when councillors vote one way or the other.
Having this issue lingering until two weeks prior to the Festival only adds to the stress of finalizing the overall details. Several prominent community members have moved forward to show support for non-censorship of Pride, with many participants scheduled to perform now declining their offers. Again, added stress to find replacements. On the other hand, there have been numerous letters of support for Pride’s decision from international organizations and local citizens.
It’s certainly become a divided Pride, but definitely not unique to Toronto. Montreal went through something similar a few years back, and Austin underwent similar dissent in their city this year. In fact, Mississauga even has a fringe queer event called QXposure, outside of the traditional Peel Pride. Montreal is doubly excited about their LGBT celebrations again this year, with Célébrations de la Fierté (Pride) and Divers/Cité happening at different times of the year, both with a different focus.
Suzanne Girard, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Divers/Cité, points out that their event is entirely free, open to all, and completely community oriented. Girard alludes to the fact that this event is more about the party, with politics a given just for the very reason the event is happening. “Just the fact that we have a gay label is political, as all funded events in Canada have some form of politics”, she states. Pride Montreal was created early in 2007 when Divers/Cité publicly announced that they decided to change their mandate, mission and focus. They became a cultural festival and dropped the Pride portion of the event. Éric Pineault, President of Célébrations de la Fierté / Pride Montreal, thinks that “it’s equal party and politics.” The two day event is comprised of Community Day attracting over 100 community organizations, and the Parade which takes on a new expanded route this year. The event will also have an international significance, with the Grand Marshal’s being from Riga, Lettonia.
A third more radical group called Pervers/Cité has been throwing alternative parties and political demonstrations for several years. There is a key group of organizers who hold events around the same dates as Divers/Cité, sprung from the notion that the other mainstream events were growing less accountable to the history it represents and there was a need for a community response to the depoliticization of Pride.
South of the border Austin had two queer celebrations this year, one official and one alternative. The Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation held their traditional celebrations on June 5th, while a splinter group of activists held QueerBomb on June 4th, a result of their feeling of not being represented by the “family-friendly” environment the Foundation was offering. They accused the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce of being “non-inclusive, capitalist, heteronormative, safe and unchallenging”, and sought to provide an edgier alternative to the mainstream programming. Both events were considered a success on their own accord, each validating their goals and values. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell even declared June 4 QueerBomb Day.
Here’s an article posted by Austinist that gives a great overall perspective on the situation.
This is where Toronto might be at this point.
There is much contention and discussion happening within the community and some of it is reflecting in a negative manner.
In a city of this size and diversity, there is room for more than one type of queer celebration. With elections coming up in October, this may be an opportune time to approach our future Mayoral candidates to gather support for Toronto’s alternative Pride celebrations, whatever, whenever, and wherever they maybe.
Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities.
Willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. Willing to discover the new, respect the past, and see the future as opportunity.
