An Extra Special Spring Newsletter!

Hello everyone!  Welcome to the spring version of Queers on Campus. 

This is the first time we are continuing throughout the spring and summer, and we hope you'll help us make it a success!  

This newsletter has treats for everyone:  

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FAIRYTALES INTERNATIONAL DIVERSITY QUEER FILM FESTIVAL http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com/2009/ May 28 - June 6, 2009 -- Plaza Theatre & Other Venues  Calgary's queer film festival is back and with a vengeance! 10 days of queer film with an exciting lineup for everyone.  This year, Fairytales has generously given us a sponsorship place for one of their films:  The Lost Coast - http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com/2009/details.php?id=7 Plaza Theatre, 4:00PM Saturday, May 30, 2009  This is a very exciting opportunity and we will be presenting the film as a community sponsor. We also have a small number of free tickets. There will also be a youth Mixer at the Sungate Cafe down the street in Kensington after the film we are also invited to. We hope to see you there!!  

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COFFEE NIGHTS Every Tuesday, 7PM, Kensington Second Cup Table with the stuffed animal. Typically near back.  Our coffee nights have been extremely successful, especially continuing now into the spring/summer. We have had great turn out and welcome everyone to join us weekly!  

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QCampus Calgary Pride Float  The idea has been bantered around of Queers on Campus producing a float for Calgary Pride in September. We have some ideas together and are seeking volunteer support, enthusiasm, and special skills in parade float building.  If you're interested at all, please contact us!  

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Alberta Bill 44 Petition  The Alberta NDP are taking a petition against the proposed Bill 44 which although includes sexuality in the list of categories protected against discrimination (a protection already enshrined by the Supreme Court of Canada -- never written in, but is effective in Alberta), but with the caveat that parents be allowed to make a human rights complaint against teachers who teach any subject relating to sex, sexuality, and religion without first explicitly seeking parental approval.  This bill is highly contested by many groups including teachers, lawyers, human rights groups, and the queer community. The petition is for anyone who disagrees with this exceptionally contentious and offensive bill.  We will have the petition to sign at coffee nights, and if you would like to add your name, please visit us there, or contact us by e-mail.  For more information about the bill itself, see the Government of Alberta website: http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=bills_status&selectbill=044  

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The Dallas Principles http://www.thedallasprinciples.org/  On May 15-17, 2009 in Dallas, Texas twenty-four thinkers, activists, and donors gathered to discuss the immediate need for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender people in the United States.  They have published a series of principles to achieve equality for LGBT people in the US, and are also seeking endorsement by people everywhere.  Please take a look at this, and we urge support in support of the queer community in the States.  

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That's about it for now. Hopefully see you all next week for Coffee Night AND Fairytales!!

AGM Tonight!!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to our Gender Bender Friday night and made it such a success. It was a great party, we had some fun, and we had some excellent turnout. Exciting!

Tonight is our Annual General Meeting! You can find us in the Escalus Room in the MacEwan Hall Conference Centre at 6PM. We'll be going over the year and taking a look at what's to come in the upcoming year. We will decide on a new exec and it's your opportunity to take a look at how it all works and how to get involved. Come out, throw your hat in for an exec position, whatever you want to do we're cool with it. If you can't make it, do e-mail us (qcampus@ucalgary.ca) so that we know what you'd like to do.

And come out after the meeting to the Den to celebrate a successful and exciting year for us all. See you tonight kids!

Gender Bender & AGM!

Heyo!

So the coffee night this week was amazing, we filled up even more than usual and overflowed into multiple sections. Go us!

Coming up this Friday at 9PM at The Den on campus will be out annual Gender Bender cab! Do you have your tickets yet? They're $5 in advance from any exec (e-mail if you can't find us), or $7 at the door. It's a crazy party and will be a total blast so make sure to come out and bring your friends! Everyone welcome for the crazy fun times! :D

On a more serious, still fun though, note, QCampus's annual general meeting (AGM) will be on Monday, April 6, 2009 in the MacEwan Conference Centre's Excalus Room. We're voting on next year's exec and doing administrative junk. Come out, volunteer to be on the exec, or just come watch and vote. The most the merrier, there's no better time to scope out getting involved. If you can't make it e-mail qcampus@ucalgary.ca if you'd still like to be on the executive.

So there we go. As always check out our events page for upcoming activities and fun times.

GENDER BENDER FRIDAY. See you there!!

Mucho love.

Dancing to success!

Our "Gay For A Day" parade and dance party yesterday as a part of Sexual Awareness week on campus was a great success. This is one of our first major public events and marks a distinct change in the way in which we approach our visibility and presence on campus and otherwise. It was a smashing success!

We invited queer students and allies alike to parade across the campus holding the hand of a same-gendered friend to illustrate support for love of all kinds and expressions of affection. Afterwards we had a dance party in the centre of Mac Hall complete with drag king show (thanks to Fake Moustache) and dance contest.

It was a successful display and a lot of fun to boot. We will definitely be trying to incorporate similar types of events again in the future.

Tonight we will be hosting queer speed dating as an end to our series of sexual awareness week events. It's been a good week and a groundbreaking one as far as QCampus is concerned.

Also, don't forget the next Friday, April 3 is our Gender Bender at 9:00pm at The Den on campus a UofC. It's our largest party of the year and an event not to be missed! Tickets can be purchased for $5 in advance from any exec member (e-mail us if you would like to come by to purchase -- WE WILL ALSO HAVE TABLE IN MAC HALL NEXT WEEK TO SELL TICKETS!!) or $7 at the door. Dancing, drag, debauchery, and fun. I couldn't think of another "d"-word. Oh well. Hope to see you all at coffee next week and then at the Gender Bender.

XOXO.

Posters ahoy!

We have just completed campus postering round two. This time you may notice our posters come on lovely coloured paper. Seeing them up around the school, especially in time for sexual awareness week, and in such a visible way goes toward making the UofC more welcoming. So thank you to everyone who came out to lend a hand, you guys rock!

Speaking of sexual awareness week, the SU has selected all of next week (March 23-27, 2009) to be filled with events centering around sexual awareness. As such, QCampus has planned to make it a week to remember. We will have events every single day (sometimes two or more per day!) and will include:

- "Gay For A Day" - Parade to MacEwan Hall. Come out and make a poster and march with us, hold the hand of a same-sex friend to support love of all kinds!

- Gay Dance Party - Parade will end in Mac Hall in a giant public dance party. Let's dance it up and just have some fun!

- A panel discussion

- Queer speed dating

- And plenty, plenty more.

For event details and to learn about all our events, please visit our EVENTS PAGE. We hope to see a ton of people out. Let's make it a fun week to remember, ok? :D

Our New Webspace!

Hey kiddoes,

Our new website is finally up (with me getting off my lazy ass) at its new and appropriate address: http://www.ucalgary.ca/~qcampus , yay!

It's full of goodness and has an updated events page, a spot for exec bios, and a link to our fabulous new store! So go my queer little minions and frolick in our cemented web mastery. The world shall soon be ours!

Ahem.

At any rate, I'll be seeing the execs at our meeting tonight, and for everyone else, I will see you tomorrow at our coffee night, 7PM at the Kensington Second Cup, attendance has been phenomenal, let's go for the record!

If you have any questions/comments/ideas about the website, please, please, please, keep it to yourself. Kidding! Tell me right away, it's a place for all of us! It'll be epic.

Well then, Queerio! (See what I did? I changed "cheerio" to "queerio" to be more topical and potentially funny, and... ah, shut up.)

Gender Bender coming up!

Hello lovely Land of Cyber Queers! As per usual we will be having the Gender Bender, our massive Drag Show again this year, to be held at the Den, the bar on campus. It is an event for everyone, drag queens/kings and costumed people, queer people and allies alike all coming. This year we will have gender neutral bathrooms available as well. If you want to get involved drop us a line or leave us a comment, and we'd be happy for the help with door people, performers, etc. We have a fantastic DJ lined up for this year so it should be an awesome party long after the high heels are off.

Here's the skinny!
Doors at 9:00 April 3rd
The Den, On the University Campus, in MacEwan Student Centre
Drag show at 10:30
Tickets at $7 at the door
$5 available from the office or at a QC event

Fake Mustache!

Calgary's Only Drag King Show

Come see the Calgary bois strut their stuff, doing it all to benefit the Miscellaneous Youth Network.

Where?

Soda Lounge
211 – 12th Avenue S.W.

When?

The First Thursday of every month.
All ages show: 7:30
18+ show: 10:15

$2 cover for youth.
$5 cover for adults.
Be one of the first ten people to arrive in drag and get in free!

GLBT folks stuggling with Christianity

GLBT young adults (18 to 30) struggling with Christianity are invited
to gather at Weeds Cafe, 1903 20th Ave NW, Calgary 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Thursday Feb. 12/09 for hot  chocolate and conversation. For
information contact Tim Nethercott (United Church)
netherco@ucalgary.ca or Klaus Ohlhoff (Lutheran) kohlhoff@ucalgary.ca

Apollo Ski/Snowboard Trip to Panorama

Hello Queers on Campus,

Could you communicate this message to the other
students from your club? The aim of this ad is not
to find a sexual partner but  some roomates to share a
room in Panorama Invermere for the weekend Feb 20-22
and having fun skiing or snowboarding.

We are already twenty guys from Apollo Friends in sport
going over there for a ski/snowboard trip. However, two
people are missing to fulfill the rooms reserved. All rooms
have two single beds. The price for the whole weekend, from
Friday February 20 check in at 5 pm to Sunday Febr. 22, lift
tickets included, with access to the fitness, hot springs
etc. is $216 (gst included). We can arrange for the carpool
if you do not drive.

So, if you like sport, are in shape, and want to snowboard
or ski this weekend, send me an email. Warning: it is not
a sexual trip! If you need more info. you can meet me on
campus, I am also a student.

Cheers,  
Olivier

AIDS Calgary events

Alberta Positive Voices Conference March 13 - 15 - Alberta Positive Voices Conference Camp Horizon, Bragg Creek Alberta The Alberta Positive Voices Conference is being held March 13-15th, 2009. This is a conference held by and for people living with HIV/AIDS. Scholarship applications are available for download by clicking here. The deadline for applications has been extended to February 15th, 2009.  This Conference brings together different individuals from across the province to help develop a greater understanding of living with HIV/AIDS by presenting workshops and sharing information and personal life experience. While scholarship priority will be given to Albertans living with HIV, their partners or direct support people are also eligible to apply. Scholarships include: transportation, accommodation, meals, and conference supplies.  For more information please contact Mark Randall by email at bakrboy@hotmail.com or by phone at 403-669-9936 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HIV, Disclosure and the Law: Community Forum What are the human rights of people living with HIV in Alberta? In what circumstances do people living with HIV have a legal duty to disclose their HIV status? What can happen to them if they fail to disclose their HIV status when they have a legal duty to do so? AIDS Calgary, CATIE and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network invite you to join us for a community forum where we will explore the answers to these and other questions related to HIV, human rights and the law. Date: Tuesday, March 17th  Time: 9:00am to 12:30pm Location: MacEwan Conference and Events Centre                 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary Jessica Leech, Team Leader of Community Strategies at AIDS Calgary will begin the morning with an introduction to human rights. This will be followed with a presentation on HIV, Disclosure and the Law by Glenn Betteridge, a Lawyer and Community Advocate. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Coral Bush by phone at 403 508 2500 or email info@aidscalgary.org To download the forum poster please click here

Same-Sex Speed Dating

Same-Sex Speed Dating:
On the evening of February 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM we will be holding a same-sex speed
dating event. Speed dating is a great way to meet potential friends and
lovers. The event is free with QC membership (you can purchase your
membership at the door for $5 if you don't already have one). If you'd
like to participate, please email glassevents@gmail.com and indicate the
best email address to reach you at, along with your preference to meet men
or women. Space is limited and pre-registration is required, so email
today!

Poster the Campus!

Poster the campus!
We’ve created a simple set of posters to make the university more
inclusive for queer people. We’ve printed off a bunch of posters and
we’re looking for volunteers to help put them all over the campus. We’re
meeting at 5:00PM on Wednesday, February 4 in the QC office (MSC 279Q –
see our website at www.ucalgary.ca/~glass for directions). Volunteers
will go out in groups of 2 or 3 for about one hour, and then we’ll go to
the Den to celebrate. If possible, bring your own stapler.

OutLink Survey

It is time for you to have your say! In an ongoing effort to meet the ever-changing needs of LGBTQ Communities in the Calgary area, Calgary OutLink: Centre For Gender and Sexual Diversity, values your opinions and invites you to take the time to complete our online survey. The survey, which will take you about 10 minutes to complete, will inform us about the needs of the LGBTQ communities in the Calgary area and in this way help shape the future direction of Calgary OutLink and its services. For more information, or to fill out the survey, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/crkrdl by February 28 Please pass on this e-mail to others in the LGBTQ communities who may be interested in completing the survey.

Thank you very much and looking forward to your feedback!
Melissa Luhtanen
President Calgary Outlink

An Internet Survey on the Impact of Vulvodynia in Lesbian, Bisexual and other Sexual-Minority Women

University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

Subject: An Internet Survey on the Impact of Vulvodynia in Lesbian, Bisexual and other Sexual-Minority Women

Contact: Heather Andruff, BA, PhD Candidate, (613-562-5800 ext. 4449, heather.andruff@uottawa.ca) and Elke Reissing, PhD (613-562-5800 ext. 4944, elke.reissing@uottawa.ca). Human Sexuality Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Ottawa.

The University of Ottawa is seeking lesbian, bisexual and other sexual minority women (e.g. queer, unlabeled, nonheterosexual, etc.) who are currently experiencing vulvo-vaginal pain, genital pain, and/or pain during vaginal penetration (with fingers, sex toys, penis, tampons, etc.) to participate in an online research study. In order to participate, women need to be 18 years of age or older.
Eligible participants will complete an anonymous and confidential online survey that includes questions on the current experience of vulvo-vaginal pain, gynecological history including a consultation history, sexual functioning, relationship satisfaction and demographic information. This survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Women who are interested in participating are asked to visit the University of Ottawa’s Human Sexuality Website for more information and to complete the survey (www.sciencessociales.uottawa.ca/hslab-labosh/eng ).
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Heather Andruff, BA, PhD Candidate, (heather.andruff@uottawa.ca, 613-562-5800 ext. 4449) or Elke Reissing, PhD (elke.reissing@uottawa.ca, 613-562-5800 ext. 4944).

Gay woman is set to become Iceland's 1st female prime minister

Gay woman is set to become Iceland's 1st female prime minister   By David Stringer, The Associated Press   REYKJAVIK, Iceland - The woman expected to become Iceland's interim prime  minister is an openly gay former flight attendant who rose through the  political ranks to lead a new leftist government.  Johanna Sigurdardottir, the country's 66-year-old social affairs minister,  began as an union organizer for flight attendants and is now among the  country's longest-serving legislators.  Both political parties forming Iceland's new coalition government support  her appointment - and a decision could be announced as early as Thursday.  "She is a senior parliamentarian, she is respected and loved by all of  Iceland," said Environment Minister Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir.  Sigurdardottir will lead until new elections are held, likely in May. She  will remain in office longer only if her centre-left Social Democratic  Alliance becomes the largest group in the election - an unlikely prospect,  since it trails the Left-Green movement in opinion polls.  On Wednesday, Sigurdardottir chaired talks between her party and the  Left-Greens, now the junior government partner.  Iceland's previous conservative-led government failed Monday after the  country's banks collapsed in the fall under the weight of huge debts  amassed during years of rapid economic growth. The country's currency has  since plummeted, and inflation and unemployment are soaring.  Former Prime Minister Geir Haarde won't lead his Independence party into  the new elections because he needs treatment for throat cancer.  Conservative critics say Sigurdardottir's leftist leanings and lack of  business experience won't help her fix the economy. "Johanna is a very  good woman - but she likes public spending, she is a tax raiser," Haarde  said.  Sigurdardottir faces a difficult task of repairing the country's shattered  economy and rebuilding public trust in government.  Iceland has negotiated about $10 billion US in bailout loans from the  International Monetary Fund and other countries to keep itself afloat but  long-term solutions for re-building the economy have been unclear.  The IMF predicts Iceland's economy is facing its biggest slump since the  country won full independence from Denmark in 1944.  Sigurdardottir was a labour organizer when she worked as a flight  attendant for Loftleidir Airlines - now Icelandair - in the 1960s and  1970s. She was first elected to Iceland's parliament in 1978 and served  twice as social affairs minister, from 1987-1994, and again since 2007.  Despite her veteran status, many Icelanders regard her as more independent  than her fellow legislators.  "If there's anyone who can restore trust in the political system it's  her," said Eyvindur Karlsson, a 27-year-old translator. "People respect  her because she's never been afraid of standing up to her own party. They  see her as someone who isn't tainted by the economic crisis."  While a woman has served in the largely symbolic role of president,  Sigurdardottir would be Iceland's first female prime minister. She lives  with journalist Jonina Leosdottir, who became her civil partner in 2002,  and has two sons from a previous marriage. 

REMINDER: Winter Mixer

Hello Queers on Campus!

Just a quick reminder that our winter mixer is tomorrow, Friday January 30

from 4 - 8 PM in the MacEwan Conference Centre, Ariel Room.  We're serving

subs and soda, and we might just do some kareoke to liven things up.  As

well, our fancy new stickers campaigning for a safer and more inclusive

university will be available at the event.  Admission is free with a QC

membership, available for purchase at the door for $5.

If you can't make it to the mixer, upcoming events include same-sex speed

dating, a sex toy party, and our annual gender bender.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

The Queers on Campus Executive

glass@ucalgary.ca

Testing, testing, 1,2,3

Testing the new blog for QCampus.