Queer History Month Canada - YES!

Finally in the talks, Queer History Month!

-May-

Today I got wind that there was to be talk of a Queer history month just like the well known, Black History month. The meeting took place today in the city of Toronto's Town Hall but the live stream was constantly cutting so I could only get bits and pieces but it  still was interesting and exciting.
Looks like it will be the Month of May this year 2012.

Like many others I have been wondering why this was not thought of or done sooner.

Our Queer history is still being mapped out as we speak; it is still quite young but it should be mapped out to preserve what was established and help future generations in keeping it up.

Possibly modern day Bullying and sadly the increase in teenage suicides might have pushed the absolute need for this forward.

We need to map as far back as we can go telling our stories of who what where and when things happened and the results of it. I blogged on their page with my findings but 3 days later I saw that I was the only one that offered input as they requested...  

For myself I feel like my head is everywhere as to how our present state of affairs has been established. It should be something that will be taught in the school curriculum from a very young age onwards regardless of religious views. My biggest information source about our past is a book I found published in New York by Henry Holt & Co.1998 - Completely Queer "The Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia" by Steve Hogan and Lee Hudson

Children don't automatically have a problem seeing two men or two women  kiss, hold hands or even get married until their parents tell them they themselves feel it is wrong. In that same thought Queerness and or Queer awareness should not/cannot be seen as wrong. Unlike Black history month and others, religion will be our biggest obstacle.

I've always said it and I will continue saying it, educate to eliminate the fear of the unknown.
 Fear of the unknown can entice hate.

Being a divorced father(From a Hetero marriage) and having my young son visit while my new long term (Gay)partner was present I saw no problem that he should see us occasionally kiss. He(my son) would see it as a natural occurrence of Love; A secondary family unit for him. 

Change will come we just have to stand our ground!

Gay Royalty

A long way from high school Proms with their favorite King or Queen:
Drag Queens, Drag Kings

Male/Female impersonators no longer just for the Gay night circuit crowd!

Who doesn't like a little camp? I know I know, it's a take it or leave it kind of comedy. Personally I love it! I think they are hilarious. I've never actually seen Drag Kings(Girls) but have heard of great reviews and competitions. My best Lesbian friend pulled off a "Brad Pitt" look alike for Halloween this past year. It was really good!


The most famous Drag Queen from yester-years here in Quebec and France was "Guilda" (He came very close to resembling Maryline Monroe). There is also the American Icon Divine!(Harris Glenn Milstead) Best known for staring in films by his friend John Waters and his last performance "Hairspray1988"(Before John Travolta's version). Most nowadays know of  RuPaul(Blond below with his alter ego as a man), the African American model whom is over 6 feet tall and whom used to have his own line of makeup called M.A.C.  Truly a sight to see! He/She even has his own drag academy of sorts where competitions are held. I've seen a few episodes on the Gay cable network and found it Bitchingly hilarious! "Rupaul's Drag Race". This past year(2011) I saw the Thompson Twins on stage. One brother did female impersonations while the other did famous male musicians, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Andrea Bottelli! The brother that happened to be Gay did the most amazing Cher impersonations, the costume was way over the top(almost nude with black duct tape in a V from his crotch and over his shoulders prancing around in knee high stiletto booted heals, he even had a fake tattoo on his butt like hers! He pulled off an excellent Barbara Streisand, and Bette Midler too. Years ago in Acapulco with my then Boyfriend I got to see a drag show of famous American female artists and these guys were amazingly beautiful in their costumes, the best one of all was Ertha Kitt in a slick shiny black latex cat costume and whip.


Here in Montreal we have our own quite famous "Mado Lamotte". A far cry from trying to be beautiful, he calls himself a clown for adults. He's done shows in France and at our famous Casino and has his own Cabaret here in the village. A Cabaret that is hard to miss as a larger than life 3D(resin) version of himself with his iconic huge diamond ring lay above the outdoor entrance. Many of the "In" bars have a Drag Queen at the entrance to greet you or for the cover charge if there is one. The Bear bars don't go for these nor do the leather fetish scenes. In Toronto there is a famous restaurant(Zelda's I believe)who has a Drag Queen as a waitress. None of these come close to Rupaul's Super-model status. As for impersonators we have those too. Some of  the most famous, Jimmy Moore => Lady Gaga, Madona, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion While Cantelli is known to do =>Tina Turner and more.

Either way you look at it they are entertaining and they respectfully put alot of work into their craft. Entertaining, a good laugh!
That's me in the sleek red fishtail gown!
No just kidding, a scene from Rupaul's Pandora's box Dolls.