Cloudy. Rainy. Autumnal. It’s a nice day to putter around the domicile and get a few things done. Although the walk earlier was very pleasant and I love kicking the leaves as I stroll. This time of year is that brief, beautiful bridge between sizzling summer and our long, cold winter. It’s an opportunity to air out our homes, pull out our favourite cozy sweater and throw on a scarf and just do a kick-and-saunter through the fallen leaves.

I always feel a mix of melancholy and relaxation this time of year. It’s the pre-holiday downtime before the engines gear up. It’s also the time for homemade butternut squash soup or a pan of roasted root vegetables. It’s the season for good books, comfy couches and a warm blanket…candles, sunsets and early nights to bed. And after the past summer we could all use a few quiet, relaxing moments. Read the full story

Monday October 18 was an exciting evening for Toronto’s politically minded queers. Toronto mayoral candidate George Smitherman held a last-minute meet-and-greet with Toronto’s LGBT community to press the flesh and have an opportunity to speak to Toronto queers about issues of equality, human rights and the cultural mosaic that is our fair city. He was very warmly received and seemed to galvanize the crowd who cheered and shouted his name. It was a good night for George. Read the full story

Promises. Promises. Torontonians will be going to the polls in October to elect a new mayor. Leading up to the election, we’ve heard a lot of accusations, allegations, name calling and even some supposed foul language. What we, the constituents, really need to hear is a clear-cut mandate from each candidate. I’m hoping to help cut through the clutter and give you a high-level overview of each candidate’s mandate. Please note, I have not included all candidates. You can source out any platforms of candidates not mentioned. In no particular order of importance, here are the promises of five hopefuls…let’s see who keeps them if elected mayor of Toronto: Read the full story

We’re still a few months away from the polls but Toronto’s race for mayor is heating up—and so is the rhetoric. This week, mayoral hopeful Rob Ford put his foot in it once again by making rather alarming statements about the relationship between cars and bicycles. Suffice to say, he managed to offend quite a few two-wheelers.

Ford is famous for speaking his mind—apparently without thinking first, though. Probably his coup de grace was his opinion about the spread of AIDS. It went something like this: “If you are not doing needles and you are not gay, you wouldn’t get AIDS probably, that’s bottom line.” Read the full story

Yes, this is my second piece about George Smitherman in a week…I promise I’ll write about other Toronto mayoral candidates once they make themselves known.

I was reading the Globe & Mail this weekend and saw a front-page picture teasing an article about our George that made me, well, cringe. It’s a shot of him looking wistfully off into the distance while cradling his cat in his arms. The text accompanying the photo read: “What, me furious? Smitherman turns kitten.” Hmmmm.

I opened to the section where the article appeared and saw the same picture with the text: “Friends say George Smitherman has mellowed with marriage. Pundits notice a softer side emerging. It might be love, or maybe the mayoral candidate is planning to make nice at City Hall.” Cringe. Read the full story

You may have read here a few months ago where I wrote about George Smitherman possibly throwing his hat in the ring for mayor of Toronto in the big race next year. Well, today Smitherman has announced his intention of being Toronto’s next mayor.

Smitherman will resign his posts with the McGuinty government including Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Smitherman also held the position of Ontario Health Minister.

Right now Smitherman is the front-runner to be Toronto mayor

This move makes Smitehrman the front-runner for Mayor since no one has else has committed to the race. There have been a few people who have expressed interest but have yet to make it official. It’s expected John Tory a long-time political rival of Smitherman – will seek Toronto’s highest office. Also, as I wrote here a couple of months ago, former Winnipeg mayor Glenn Murray has put out feelers for the job. Read the full story

It just seems to get more intriguing – and more queer – by the moment.

I’ve been talking about George Smitheman as a possible contender for Toronto mayor and have touted some of the reasons why I think he’d be a good choice.

Now, another possible candidate is making noise about running for the coveted office: Read the full story

Well, since last I wrote about this, the political landscape has shifted. Current Mayor David Miller has announced he will not be seeking a third term in office. Prognosticators and pundits have been weighing in on Miller’s legacy – and who will succeed him.

I reported recently that George Smitherman (current deputy premier and Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure) had made some noise about possibly running for the coveted office. Since then, Smitherman has been coy about his intentions, saying only that he is exploring the idea. Read the full story

Toronto mayor David Miller is not doing well in the polls these days. Most blame his handling (or lack thereof) of the recent CUPE strike that left mountains of garbage piled up around the city, babies without daycare and other city services suspended while he seemingly naval-gazed.

Now, news media are reporting there is a possible contender for Toronto mayor in the next civic elections: MPP, Deputy Premier and all around gay man George Smitherman. Smitherman will most likely do much better with the polls than Miller. Read the full story