Being gay in a smaller community can be tough.
Fortunately there are resources like the
Kamloops Gay & Lesbian Community website. Check them out for a
calendar of events, local groups, news and other information for the LGBT
community in Kamloops and area.A province-wide coalition with the aim of
building connections between individuals and groups working on trans issues,
Trans Alliance Society is a great jumping off point for resources,
education, support and services for the transgendered community in Vancouver and
British Columbia.
One of Vancouver's best LGBT resources is
The Centre. Offering everything from counselling services to a
library to the provincial Prideline,
The Centre has something for everyone whether you are just coming out or
have been around the block a few times this is one resource you don't want to
miss out on!
One aspect of aboriginal culture that we
particularly like is the tolerance and understanding of gay/two-spirited people.
One group that is helping even more is the
Four Feathers Society. Billed as a tribe of aboriginal and
non-aboriginal men who self-identify as gay or two-spirited the Society provides
a spiritual community for marginalized gay/two-spirited men.
We have always maintained that one of the best
things about the gay community is there is something out there for everyone. Asians
and Friends Vancouver is another great example of this - offering a
social outlet for gay Asians and their admirers here in Vancouver (and links to
similar groups in other cities as well).
No ribald Lesbian jokes here
designed to ridicule or satisfy some strange straight men
fantasy. Lesbians
Come Out Laughing is an interesting gathering place for Lesbians to
connect through laughter.
A social group for Filipina Lesbians and their
friends,
Lezinplay Vancouver offers a
social and recreational outlet for women in Vancouver.
We've given our award to a number of drag
queens over the years but not very made drag kings. We want to change that
by recognizing
Cord Long based in Detroit.
The world-wide Primetimers organization has
over 50 chapters around the world, the not least of which is the
Vancouver Primetimers group. Offering mature (35+) gay and
bisexual men, with opportunities to come together in a supportive atmosphere to
enjoy social, educational, and recreational activities this is definitely a
group worth checking out.
We normally take a pretty neutral view of
politicians here at GayVancouver.Net but we're making a bit of an exception this
time round with
Mark Gueffroy for Parks Board for his sure moxie in running as an
independent in the upcoming City election.
It's been a while since we highlighted one of
those home-grown queer sites featuring resources, graphics and the ubiquitous
Cafe Press web store. We liked
Shaded in Purple not only because it harkened back to a gentler time on
the internet but also because we couldn't resist the Queer Kitty t-shirts and
mugs!
Summer is almost over and it it time to head
back to school. For some, university can mean their first foray into the
gay community and the support groups like
UVic Pride at the University of Victoria can be invaluable.
Growing up gay in the 'burbs is not always the
easiest thing to do but the internet helped to change that by providing
resources at the click of a mouse for like-minded people in the a particular
area.
Abbotsford Gay Men is one of those
resources - it is just starting but once word gets out it could prove to be a
valuable resource for the gay community in the Valley.
We know with the current great weather we're
experiencing in Vancouver right now the thoughts of warmer climates is not
really at the top of everyone's minds these days but believe us when we say
winter is never far away. A great place to plan that Mexican vacation in
the fall/winter,
Gay Mexico is your one-stop shop for everything gay in one of our
favourite countries. Tequila anyone?
Did you know that along with Vancouver's
regular Pride celebrations the Lesbian community is hosting it's own
Vancouver Dyke March and Festival on July 30th?
This "official fansite of Charlie David",
Charlie Wood is one of the finest pieces of Flash websites that we have
come across in a long time. Born in Regina and now living in Vancouver,
Charlie David has been a host for E! Television, SpyTV and most recently the
host of Crash Test Mommy on the Life Network. An out gay man in
television, David recently appeared on the cover of Genre magazine.
Now that Bill C-38 is a reality in this country
we thought it worthwhile to highlight one of the many sites which has worked
tirelessly to bring this important issue to the forefront of our community -
Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples.
One of the few sports we were ever good at
growing up (or at least could fake it well) was volleyball. And that is
one reason we like the
Vancouver Gay Volleyball Association (VGVA). But the best part of
the VGVA is the various divisions from the recreational side (never picked up a
volleyball before) to the three levels of competitive divisions. Now there
are never any fears of getting involved in a competitive league when you're only
out for some fun and exercise (or vice versa)!
Broadcasting from Vancouver to the world,
Radiogay.ca is live to air every day from 6 to 8pm (Pacific time).
Stop by and have a listen!
Our friends in our provincial capital are
alive and well! After a hiatus, the newly re-formed
Victoria Pride Society is back up and running with Victoria Pride
scheduled for July 26 through July 3rd. Check out the site and be sure
to plan your visit!
A diverse group of Kings and Kittens (a new
word for us),
The DramaKings of Southern Florida are gender benders that not only
reach out to the GLBT community via its performances but through its website
as well.
We've always liked personal web sites -
especially those that are current AND relevant. This week we recognize
the personal web space of a local software developer at
NPDemers.Net. Not only is the site current but the section on
queer history at SFU makes for very interesting reading!
We love square dancing and we particularly
love
Squares Across the Border. Established in 1983 this group
was the first of its kind in Canada and continues to celebrate not only
teaches square dancing but also hosts dances and "fly-ins" with participants
from around North America.
Who knew that gay life was so vibrant in
Belfast!? We didn't until we came across
Gay Belfast. Part political, part tour guide, this site has
it all for visitors to and residents of Belfast! Well worth a visit if
you're planning a trip to the Emerald Isle!
We are asked on a regular basis to expand
our coverage beyond the Greater Vancouver and Lower Mainland area.
Because of our desire to focus on this area of the Province we have chosen
not to do so. Besides, with sites like
Queer BC around, the communities outside Vancouver are already
well-served. A great resource for people outside Vancouver it is well
worth a visit!
This week we feature
Gayway!, Vancouver's gay men's "resource exchange" helping to
facilitate the exchange of information, support, experience and friendship
amongst gay men living in Vancouver. They have some great workshops
and all kinds of social/support groups. Well worth a visit to check
out what they have to offer.
We at GayVancouver.Net have a special
affinity for bears and when we heard about
Vancubz we got excited. Okay, not excited in THAT way but
excited to find out there was a group for bears and bear cubs in the 18-35
age group. With their upcoming "Bear Bounce" party we definitely think
you should check them out!
Vancouver's very own gay and lesbian golf
league,
Out On The Green provides golfers of all skill levels the
opportunity to golf together at scheduled events and to meet other gay and
lesbian golfers in the Vancouver area. Just in time for the new golf
season be sure to check them out!
Serving the LGBT community, including
students, staff and faculty, at the University of British Columbia is
Pride UBC. Offering support, education and social services to
the community at UBC, the group also organizes the hugely popular OutWeek
each February.
Do you like the great outdoors?
Looking to commune a bit more with nature? Looking to meet like-minded
gay men & women?
Out Camping BC is a great place to start. Like the Outskirts
Social Group below, they bill themselves as providing an alternative to the
bar scene and an opportunity to socialize in a healthy & safe way.
A new gay and bisexual men's group,
Outskirts Social Group proves there is life outside the big city!
Billed as a positive alternative to the bar/downtown gay community scene,
the group has been formed for men living on the "outskirts" of Vancouver
looking to socialize.
With the recent demise of the NHL season we
could think of no better recipient than Vancouver's very own
Cutting Edges hockey team. Not only do they play some truly
fine hockey but the group provides a friendly, fun environment for gay and
gay friendly hockey players to participate on competitive teams in
recreational leagues in the Vancouver and in tournaments around the world.
We love a man in leather! Well, okay,
we love men in leather, jeans, a suit, gym shorts, pyjamas, underwear,
naked. You get the idea - we love men! But the
Vancouver Men in Leather is so much more than eye candy. It is
about celebrating and living and a lifestyle.
These days there is a coloured ribbon for
every illness, cause and awareness campaign. The latest twist are the
wristbands being offered by
Enlightened Americans signifying you voted for John Kerry in the
last U.S. election. While purchasers of the wristband wallow in
self-pity, we're still trying to figure out an election system that would
get George W elected in the first place!
QTV Gay News Magazine
is a San Francisco based cable television
program that also broadcasts on the internet. We're always on the look
out for gay-positive messages in the media, regardless of where it
originates, and QTV delivers.
We've been dreaming of the sun since winter
started and what better place to find the sun than in the desert!
Desert Daily Guide
serves up loads of information on gay Palm
Springs for those seeking a break from Old Man Winter!
