Colin Sines is the founder of OUTVisions Magazine – the first and only magazine for the LGBT professional. He doesn’t like candy and can’t sing very well, but (like everyone here at GGT) loves a good martini. We forgive the candy hating to crown him our latest Man of The Hour by giving him our TMI Questionnaire:

JUST THE FACTS

I’m a: Leo.
I’m: somewhere between 55 & 70.
I was born: In London, England – moved to Canada in 1967.
I: was in hotel sales and marketing for many years now in the publishing industry and launched OUTVisions magazine: the only lifestyle magazine for the LGBT Professional.
My fave colour: Grey – it always looks smart in casual or formal.
Passion: I’m always passionate about whatever I do – right now my passion is OUTVisions, which allows me to highlight people in the LGBT community that make a difference in both their local community, but also the LGBT community.
Inspiration: Darin Feth: a young man I mentored many years ago in marketing when starting his own company. He now has offices in Edmonton (where he started) Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York. It shows life is what you make it.
My Canadian icon is: James: my partner of 33 years who died in 2006.
Fantasy entourage: My two nephews, Steve and Mike. They are great people and totally accept me for who I am.
Fictional best friend: The Roadrunner.
Turn-ons: Cute buns.
Irresistible in a mate: Brown eyes – eyes always show the truth.
Phrase I most overuse: “Oh, Shit.”
Most people would be surprised to know: My age.
Talent I wish I had: Playing the piano.
The celebrity I most closely resemble is: Robin Leach.
The one word my best friend would use to describe me is: Professional.
My parents wanted me to be this when I grew up: Whatever I wanted to be.
When I order a cocktail I ask for an: Absolute Martini.

GUILTY PLEASURES

TV: Bump.
Songs: “Love Changes Everything” by Michael Ball and “I Did It My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
Greatest extravagance: A silk plaid shirt cost $550 a long time ago.
Candy: Don’t eat candy.
Last impulse-purchase: A pair of awesome shoes in London, England.
Last regretted purchase: Lottery ticket – I didn’t win.

WEAR APPARENT

Jeans: Levi’s.
Footwear: Guess, Hunn Bush, Barrett’s of London.
Underwear: Calvin Klein.
Watch: Skagen (Scandinavia).
Eyewear: Urban (UK).
Casual: Jeans, T shirt and casual shoes.
Formal: Regular black suite
Perfume / Cologne: “Intimately” by Beckham & “Cool Water” by Davidoff.

BEAUTY DUTY

Shampoo: Sunsilk.
Face wash: Bale’a.
Moisturizer: L’Oreal Men’s Expert.
Body Lotion: Nivea for Men.
Make-Up Line: Don’t use.
Indulgence: Facials.

GOTTA-GET GADGET

Gadgets: iPhone-love it.
On my music player now: Robbie Williams – “In and Out of Consciousness.”
Best app ever: OUTVisions.

CULTURE VULTURE

Last book read: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
Last movie seen: The King’s Speech.
Last concert: Niagara Symphony Orchestra at Illuminaque festival.
Last play: My Fair Lady – Shaw Festival.
Last song sung in the shower: I don’t [sing in the shower]– the one and only time [I did], I was so bad even , the water stopped running.

OBSESSIONS

Current obsession: Looking good and losing weight.
Past obsession: Same as current.
Future obsession: same as past and current.

CRYSTAL BALL

The next big thing will be: continuing to be who I am.
I see myself in this place in ten years: Still happy within myself.

AND FINALLY …

Words of wisdom: Be happy with who you are, no matter what. In 2008, I almost died of colon cancer. I survived and have been clear ever since. My advice is “if you wake up in the morning, your feet touch the ground and you can stand, then it’s going to be a great day. You never know what lies ahead.”

Europe somehow conjures up pictures of a gay utopian society for many.  A place where nelly men, butch women and everything in between walk down the golden streets arm in arm.  An advanced civilization where equal rights abound for all!  Well I’m here to tell you how fuckin’ fantastic we have it here in Canada.  Don’t get me wrong.  Loved London!!  Loooooved it!!!!  I’m a bit of a history nerd, and that city has it in spades.  But when it came down to gay life…

First off, the gay clubs are the same you’d find anywhere.  Some disco tunes, a couple go go boys and free flowing booze.  It’s a combo that’s tried, tested and true, but lacks creativity.

Next, the feeling of community you find on Church or on Ste. Catherine in Montreal wasn’t there.  I think because it is such a crowded and international destination that London lacked a cohesiveness and sense of belonging.

One of the first things I noticed when I returned to Toronto was the presence the gay community has in our city.  From rainbow flags, to the reach of the free gay rags and even popping up on TV and in commercials.  None of that was to be found in London.  Oh sure, one club was called GAY, but neary did I see a flag, and the feeling was more of ‘we have decided this area is the gay area of London and the businesses in this area would be smart to call themselves things like GAY to attract that clientele that will spend $$$ in their establishment’

Long story short.  There is NO gay place, like THIS gay home!!!

But now I’m back and it’s business as usual.  And by business I mean finding out that pictures that were taken 3 years ago are still being used to push magazines!  I guess I should shut up and be flattered, but since I don’t see any residual money from it… I get to complain… at least a little.