It’s the middle of summer – one of the hottest times of the year. If you thought it couldn’t get much warmer, Leo (July 23 – August 22) has entered the scene and cranked up the heat. With that being said, it’s not surprising that Leo is a fixed, fire sign. Since fixed signs come along as the season is already underway – Cancer was cardinal; the kick-off of the season – Leo’s represent going deeper. At the same time, being fixed means it’s difficult to let go.

A Leo is proud. Just think of a lion and its long, beautiful mane. King of the jungle. That is what a Leo is (or wants to be!)

Leo is probably the zodiac’s most poised of risk-takers and roller-coaster riders. One minute c’est la vie; the next minute life’s a bitch. But that’s what makes you special. In the face of adversity, you stand tall. You stick up for friends. You constantly re-invent yourself. So you’re getting a little down on life… you reinvent yourself! Your part in the musical is too small? You make it bigger!

Leo’s motto is “I Will, therefore I Am”. They want to know their unique place in the universe. “What role do I play?” We know that whichever role you choose, Leo, you will play it wonderfully. Deep down, even though Leo’s can – at times – seem bold and brash, they seldom show their vulnerable side. But it’s there.

A Leo in love? With such a dramatic sign, of course they fall helplessly, passionately and desperately – and all the other signs are going to hear about it! Just don’t get in a fight with Libra (because you both are the zodiac’s biggest romantic Patsys).

Happy Birthday, Leo!

I defiantly believe that their are many models of recovery for every addict. Abstinence or the AA model does not work for all people. It’s easy for many people to state, especially people like Minister Clement who at the International AIDS Conference in 2008 in Mexico City, brought shame to our county when he declared the insight, a supervised safe injection site an “abomination”.

I was there at the party he held for People living with HIV from Canada who were attending the conference. Many have had the opportunity to visit or even use the services that insight provides. Many of us felt he was an abomination. Shortly after that comment Minister Clement was moved to another Ministry. Thank god Harper does know something about “Harm Reduction”. Makes me sad that he only cares about removing the harm to himself and apparently seems not to bother with preventing the harm of the people.

Queers all over the world use drugs! You will get HIV Hep B and Malaria from sharing an infected needle. We have loads of proof that this is fact. The current policies of the war on drugs are not working. Fact is that our Government has no evidence that the war on drugs policy is the best way to keep people from harm. Although since 2008 Coca production has gone up by 20% and the processing of opium poppies has increased by double. preventing people from accessing drugs in the first place has not worked since Nancy Reagan first jumped on that wagon.

This year in Vienna at AIDS 2010 the International AIDS Society, the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy (ICSDP), and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. Issued the Vienna Declaration. it states:

HIV epidemics fuelled by the criminalisation of people who use illicit drugs and by prohibitions on the provision of sterile needles and opioid substitution treatment.9, 10
HIV outbreaks among incarcerated and institutionalised drug users as a result of punitive laws and policies and a lack of HIV prevention services in these settings.11-13
The undermining of public health systems when law enforcement drives drug users away from prevention and care services and into environments where the risk of infectious disease transmission (e.g., HIV, hepatitis C & B, and tuberculosis) and other harms is increased.14-16
A crisis in criminal justice systems as a result of record incarceration rates in a number of nations.17, 18 This has negatively affected the social functioning of entire communities. While racial disparities in incarceration rates for drug offences are evident in countries all over the world, the impact has been particularly severe in the US, where approximately one in nine African-American males in the age group 20 to 34 is incarcerated on any given day, primarily as a result of drug law enforcement.19
Stigma towards people who use illicit drugs, which reinforces the political popularity of criminalising drug users and undermines HIV prevention and other health promotion efforts.20, 21
Severe human rights violations, including torture, forced labour, inhuman and degrading treatment, and execution of drug offenders in a number of countries.22, 23
A massive illicit market worth an estimated annual value of US$320 billion.4 These profits remain entirely outside the control of government. They fuel crime, violence and corruption in countless urban communities and have destabilised entire countries, such as Colombia, Mexico and Afghanistan.4
Billions of tax dollars wasted on a “War on Drugs” approach to drug control that does not achieve its stated objectives and, instead, directly or indirectly contributes to the above harms.24
To read further on this declairation please visit the Vienna Declaration site and sign the petition for evidence based drug policy.

Devon with Grand Marshall Cloris Leachman at San Diego Pride 2010

My beautiful goddaughter, Devon, got to ride with the Grand Marshall of San Diego Pride—Cloris Leachman! Devon is seven years old and she has been participating in San Diego Pride celebrations since she was a babe in arms. Her parents Tod and Amanda (who are dear friends of mine) march in the Pride parade annually. Amanda (who practices clinical psychology) has been working tirelessly in many areas of the San Diego LGBT community since I’ve known her.

Tod and I go back almost 35 years as friends from high school back when we were little brats with big dreams hanging out in ravines with our friends playing guitars. Tod was also one of the first people I ever came out to when I was a young, frightened 19 year-old gay kid looking for a place in the world. Tod accepted me right out of the gate, never once waning in his support of me.

My friends are raising their children to be accepting of all people

Now, as I look at the picture of their daughter riding in Pride—and most likely Tod and Amanda were not far away with their other two children in tow—my heart is brimming with warmth and love. I think about my history with Tod and our gay/straight alliance long before such a thing was ever imagined. I think about Amanda’s dedication to the queer community and I think of the way my friends are raising their children to be accepting of all people. Now that’s a legacy!

Tod and Amanda are teaching their kids to go into the world free of bigotry, homophobia and with a sense of community. I am so proud of them!

First of all the weekend was amazing!!! Simply way too much to do and I am grateful that I know when enough is enough and when to say no. It’s all skills I learned in my recovery. So as I left off in my last post I has a wicked time at the Toronto Roller Derby’s Clam Slam on Friday.

Saturday night was the lovely Miss Cindy Lauper and wow I has a press pass so this was a sure thing right? John and I after a very stressful day with getting Maggi home for the weekend. She finally was delivered at 6pm and we headed down to Queens Park to meet our friend Drasko (who was already at the park) We travelled down Carlton and headed up University and walked behind the Parliament buildings and we were met with a massive line. It seem that the security was tight. We called our friend and he informed us that their was a VIP / Media line up on the East side.

Upon arriving at the gate I presented my pass to the yummy security guard and was met with “OH more media” and was informed that John my partner would still not be allowed to come in. So we stepped back and called Drasko who by this time was already in the media area. He was telling us that they were escorting Media out of the pit and in with the general public they were told not to use flash (I mean what photographer is not going to use flash in a dark park) John and I decided to go to church street and check out sober pride I mean by this time it’s only 8:30

As we were leaving we thought we would take stock of the whole situation. So picture a fenced in area of 5000 secure people with only a few entrances / exits completely surrounded by thousands of unsecured people for my safety I think we made the right choice. It’s too bad it would have been my first Concert ever. John and I walked East on Wellesley St to Church St. I was amazed at exactly how many people were still coming to see Cindy!!! By this time it was past 9:15 and the line to get in was easily went all the way around the park. Droves and droves of people.

Church St was defiantly not as busy as last year at this time I remember it taking me 2 hours to get from Wellesley St. to Carlton St. So in effect it was a good move to have attractions that brought people out of Church St. to relieve congestion.

Sober Pride

When I took on the assignment of Sober Pride I naturally thought it would be a good match. I do advocate for and work with people who are transitioning from a lifestyle of chaos to order. In many ways the work I do is, Harm Reduction Coaching. It applies to everyone I help people reduce the harm in their lives that are preventing them from living their lives to the fullest. The issue could be alcohol and drugs as much as money and relationships often it is everything at the same time.

My personal journey from Chaos to Order took the Harm Reduction path. It now has simply become my journey, and I live with out shame of my past and own it because I create it. I choose to see how I perceive my own past. I chose this path simply because I was not comfortable with the Abstinence Model for me it was too rigid, and I am not fond of support groups. I had one good friend who said it to me this way, :”I simply could not imagine sitting an a group of other junkies” I get it. I can honestly say I only truly know 2 people who have used abstinence and are Queer. Please don’t get me wrong it has it’s place and is very needed by some addicts.
John and I attended Sober Pride 3 times over Pride Weekend. Each time it was the same. Quiet! Quiet! and oh More Quiet. John and I did not get it at all!!! I had to really reflect upon this post and consider the value of this space from the perspective of all people who are in need of support with their sobriety. This space provides a safe place for addicts to just take a breath in the mist of all the chaos and come back to themselves with the support of others who are doing the same.

Pride is pretty crazy and for me, I know that when the crowds are too much all I really want is quiet, so I simply go home. It may explain my lack of desire to fight all the people at the Cindy Lauper concert. I have my partner, so for me this means that I am able to discuss any feeling that may come up. I get that not everyone has those structure in their lives. This space is Perfect! “The Eye of The Storm” I am proud The Pride Toronto provides this space.

The Parade / March / Party / Protest thingy… a conclusion to Pride.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Shaun Proulx Media and Pride Toronto I had the best seats in the house!!!! Check out all my Pics below.

Conclusion

This pic was taken by my friend Drasko it summed up this pride for me. In short it me in the middle of all the shit.

Political and powerful this Pride, I met so many great people. I had my eyes opened about the history of our pride and have a clearer understanding of where we as a community are heading. This pride I had my personal “story” changed and for it I have become more aware of the possibilities. I love that we as a community can have contrasting opinions and through inclusion and tolerance we remain strong. I have heard it from many of my friends this was the best pride ever!

Early in the morning I went into Maggi’s room and discovered a whole bottle of Lorazapams that she felt she did not need to tell me about. I was feeling rather played by the time we had our guest come over to head out to the Toronto Roller Derby. I was in desperate need of something fun and very silly.

The Hanger, is located at Downsview park it’s quite the complex and I need to investigate the goings on there. I was surprised at the amount of space this complex took up. When we approached the building their was of course, music pouring out of what is a massive empty space with a simple rope line on the ground marking out the rink. Nothing like the old ’70s velodrome rinks. The players were skating around warning up and their was an overwhelming sense of camaraderie between the player a stark contrast to when the game was actually being played.

The crowd was so into the event cheering on team members with names like, Mexican Jumping Mean and Sista Fista. Over all the evening was highly entertaining and very fast paced. Those girls know how to have a good time. Hopefully next year they will have a Trans Team ’cause that would just make the whole event that much more fun. I will go back next year. Also The Toronto Roller Derby holds event through out the year so check out their full schedule on line.

In the end the Vagine Regime won 105 – 60 for the Clam Diggers.

Next on the Pride Train for me is Cindy Lauper have a great pride everybody!

Finally I wanted to mention that I have a little amendment to my schedule this week and I have added The Clam Slam on Friday check out this Pride Craziness I can’t wait!!!!

So let me give a brief rundown of the sober events happening over the next week at Pride.

Today, I will be attending the Flag raising at City Hall if you don’t make it don’t worry over the next week I will be live blogging while attending events so keep coming back to see what I am up too. You can also follow me at www.thetinythings.com my micro blog to see more events that are not Pride official but rather Pride related.

This evening there will be a screening of the Film Beyond Gay- the Politics of Pride at the Isabel Bader Theatre and the National Portrait collection will be viewing at the festival site from 7:30 – 10PM every night this week. This is a remount of the Portrait collection of the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives.

On Friday we have the Trans march which will be great sober fun for the community starting at 7:00 PM Also later that evening at the Panasonic Theatre the Gay for Comedy Gala will take place.

On Saturday at 10 am the pride remembrance run and Proud Voices starting at 2 pm at James Canning Gardens of course the free zone starts at 10 am providing a totally alcohol and drug free zone lasting through to Sunday. Also the Dyke march starts at 2:00 PM at Church and Hayden.

Cindy Lauper headlines on Saturday night at Queens park I will be there backstage getting photos so check out my blog later this week.

Sunday is a busy day besides the big parade which starts at 2:00 pm along Young St. you can also check out the Market place and community fair in the Church and Wellesley Village. At 5 pm at Queens park the closing program called Never Say Goodbye is being held . Again all day the Free Zone providing Alcohol and drug free events all day.

I hope everybody takes the time to think about your health and and safety this week and most of all reduce the harm you do!

Exchange ideas, speak out, take action

Sadly, many queer people around the world do not enjoy these freedoms and protections. Many live under the iron fist of political, religious and social persecution that can lead to being ostracized from society, shunned by family, victims of violence, thrown in prison or killed—all just for being gay, lesbian, bi or trans. Imagine how these people must feel: alone, isolated, voiceless and terrified. Forced to hide their true selves for fear of being punished. Sound familiar? It wasn’t that long ago in our local history we suffered similarly.

Bent International Queer Rights

Human rights abuses against queers still happen here in North America to this day. We’ve seen a recent rise in violence against gay men in Canada and right-wing and religious groups continue on their mission to deny rights and freedoms to queers in the United States. Clearly, our work is not done. Not by a long shot!

I’m proud to be part of a community discussion called Bent International Queer Rights. It’s an evening dedicated to discussing queer rights issues around the globe and in our own backyard. It’s an opportunity to become educated, exchange ideas, learn ways to take action and speak out. I hope you can make it to this important discussion and share your ideas on how we can reach out to those who are struggling for their rights.

Here’s what you need to know:

Bent International Queer Rights & Politics
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 – 7:00PM to 10:00PM
Gladstone Hotel – 2^nd Floor
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON

FREE to All

Panelists include:

Kim Vance – Founder/Co-Director of ARC International. Former President of Egale Canada
Marilyn Byers – Board of PFLAG Canada – Regional Director
Arsham Parsi – Founder and Executive Director of Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees

Visit our event page on Facebook.

If you are going to allow someone to tie you up, hold you down and beat you, you have to trust them. You must trust they will stop when you want them. That they won’t try some shady shit once your restrained. It is through this trust that you are able to truly experience the full experience. When you trust someone, your fight or flight response simply becomes a delightful, impassioned and incredibly erotic ride.

I recently found myself in such a situation. The man I am involved with my safety both emotionally and physically. He is someone who has proved he in fact has my best interests at heart. I know if it gets too intense he will slow down or stop. That he wouldn’t pull something that would upset me. That I am safe with him. The result is being able to full allow yourself to fall. An intense and mind blowing rush which truly has to be experienced to be understood.

People wonder why kinky folk do the things we do. This is why. It is the true intensity and thrill that comes with exploration in a safe place. Letting yourself fall, knowing full well that there will be a person there to catch you before you hit the ground.

Let me open saying this. I agree with you in one regard. The comments you make about the IML Barebacking Ban and the inclusion of bestiality porn in the vendor market are incredibly valid. But I am not writing this in order to agree with you. So lets get on to where our opinions differ.

You say it isn’t right for a trans person to enter a contest for men. You complain that it would be unfair for example you to enter a contest intended for lesbians and take the title. That both your hypothetical actions and those very real actions of my brother Tyler deprive someone more deserving of a title. International Mr. Leather is a contest for men. They have clear definitions of what constitutes someone of male gender. Tyler very obviously fits those requirements. Your point is all but moot, no? Your own transphobia is showing.

You say that inclusion only goes so far. That we have to draw the line somewhere. Your going to withdraw your support from all groups and organizations that don’t have the “balls” to get lesbian and trans individuals out? Go ahead. Feel free. Do you think those organizations who support inclusion really want the money from a bigot? You say “This is the leather community’s Sarah Palin…just in leather.” I am assuming you mean to say that we have chosen a figure head which exemplifies the worst in our community? Much like when Republicans chose her as their VP candidate? I think the comparison would be more apt were we to of chosen a pig headed, bigoted asshole such as your self to represent us. Someone who exemplifies our worst points?

I will applaud you for one thing. You are willing to take such a big risk associated your incredibly popular products with your own bullshit views. You could have left an anonymous comment. You could of bitched to your friends. But you chose to publish your opinions for all to see. Bravo. It takes a lot of balls to do that.

I won’t be supporting your company and I will ask my friends to do the same. So go burn your leather and hang out with the Rubber guys.