The Mint Media Group acquires Outlooks magazine

Toronto, ON - April 19, 2011- The Mint Media Group, the nation's premier LGBT marketing and publishing company, announces the acquisition of assets from Outlooks Magazine Inc., Canada's only national LGBT magazine. Joining the company's other publication, In Toronto magazine, this step expands the brand's coverage and presence in the market, making the Mint Media Group one of the largest LGBT magazine publishing companies in Canada.

Brett Taylor, Outlooks' former publisher, will remain editor in chief. He is excited about the magazine's future. "Outlooks has had a strong influence on the LGBT community since it published its first issue in March of 1997. This was a natural progression to accelerate Outlooks to the next level. The Mint Media group has the resources and experience to uncover its full potential"

Patricia Salib, president of the Mint Media Group and publisher of both
magazines, comments: "We are truly excited and expect to see great results as In Toronto and Outlooks continue to grow. With Brett Taylor on board, we are looking forward to delivering the same promise of quality content that speaks volumes to its readers. Brett Taylor's years of experience will be a strong addition to our team." Look for Outlooks to re-launch later this spring with a new design and a new luxury focus.

Outlooks and In Toronto will maintain separate identities and editorial
visions but the synergy of Canada 's two largest LGBT lifestyle Magazines is significant, allowing the Mint Media Group to define and attract new opportunities for both advertisers and the community. With its expertise in LGBT media planning and marketing in more than 36 cities in North America, combined with the local and national media brands of In Toronto and Outlooks, the Mint Media Group can now serve the community with the highest level of resources, unparalleled in the country.

About Outlooks:

Outlooks magazine has a proud history of providing positive, thoughtful
editorial and information to the LGBT community in Canada. The publication first appeared in March 1997 as a lifestyle magazine directed primarily at a gay audience. Since that time, the publication has grown to become a household name in the LGBT community. Outlooks focuses on all aspects of gay lifestyle including travel, fashion, arts and entertainment, politics, and important social issues of the day. Read the latest news at www.outlooks.ca

About In Toronto:

In Toronto magazine has proven itself as one of the most relevant and
compelling LGBT publications in the country. Since its launch in May 2010, the city magazine has been ranked the second-most-consumed gay media in Canada. With its lively mix of news, insight, living, art and design, In Toronto is the must-read magazine for discerning gay men and lesbians. Read the latest news at www.intorontomag.com

About The Mint Media Group:

The Mint Media Group is the premier marketing, consulting and print
publishing company specializing in the LGBT market. The Mint Media Group is focused on developing creative strategies, influential marketing campaigns and high impact solutions for business targeting the LGBT market. For more information, visit www.themintmediagroup.com

Diamond Rings is performing in Calgary!

Diamond Rings is coming to Calgary! Be sure to catch this flamboyantly fun pop-star as he co-headlines with indie rock band PS I Love You on their upcoming tour. Email your name to contest@outlooks.ca for the chance to win a pair of tickets to their March 23 show at the Republic!

Diamond Rings isn’t showing any signs of slowing down in 2011 after a year that saw him go from curiosity to pop-star in just a few months. In December he announced that he’d be supporting Robyn on her 2011 North America tour starting in January. Now Diamond Rings is pleased to announce that he’ll be sticking on the road through April on a co-headline tour with Canadian pals PS I Love You.

Following head-turning performances at SXSW and CMJ last year, Diamond Rings has gained widespread critical praise since the release of his debut full-length Special Affections on October 25th on Secret City Records. With big US support from Pitchfork to the New York Times and NME nods, it’s clear Diamond Rings is ready to up the ante in 2011. He’s also been at the forefront of the radar in Canada, landing on the cover of national monthly Exclaim!, scoring the number 2 spot in the 6th annual hottest bands in Canada poll behind only Arcade Fire and ending the year on many best of 2010 lists including Eye Weekly and the Toronto Star. Since its release - the first single “Something Else” has been heating up the Canadian charts – being heard across the country with radio adds at such stations as the Edge (Toronto), LiVE 88 (Ottawa) and SONiC (Edmonton).

Kingston, Ontario's PS I Love You will join Diamond Rings in support of their critically acclaimed debut, Meet Me At The Muster Station (Paper Bag Records). The album, currently #64 this week on the CMJ Top 200 college radio chart, has appeared on a number of 2010 year-end lists. Highlights include: Exclaim, Aux, The Coast, Consequence of Sound and individual critics lists at Toronto Star and Now Magazine. Exclaim named ...Muster Station it's #4 album of the year, and said:

"It's hard to believe that the stunning Meet Me at the Muster Station is PS I Love You's debut. Arriving fully formed, this Kingston duo delivers its catchy hooks with brute force, pummelling listeners with fuzzy guitars and thundering rhythms. And even if you won't be able to sing along with frontman Paul Saulnier's strangled yelps, songs like "Facelove" and "2012" will be stuck in your head for weeks. Savage noise freak-outs have never sounded quite so palatable."

These recent accolades add to the already glowing praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Village Voice, NME, Eye, Exclaim, Now, Toronto Star, The Fly, Gigwise, LA Weekly, SF Weekly, Portland Mercury, San Diego City Beat, The Stranger, Washington Post, Brooklyn Vegan, Consequence of Sound, PopMatters, Pop Tarts Suck Toasted, CMJ, Prefix, Treble, and KCRW.

For more information on the show, please visit www.unionevents.com

The 13th Annual Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit

The 13th Annual Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit - taking place Friday, January 21, 2011 at Hotel Arts - promises to be the biggest and best ever.

Presented again this year by the Canada Safeway Foundation, funds raised at the must-attend event will support a variety of prostate cancer initiatives including research, education and treatment.

And for the first time, Prostate Cancer Canada has stepped up to support the benefit in a substantial way by donating $500,000. These funds will be directed towards the establishment of a prostate tissue bank. Researchers will be using the tissue collected to look for genetic abnormalities in prostate cancer and to see if there is a pattern that can be used in diagnostic and treatment pathways. Prostate screening has led to great improvements in the ability to diagnose prostate cancer and identify those at high risk of developing cancer. Findings from the tissue bank will hopefully provide the ability to select cancers that need aggressive treatment, earlier, while being more conservative in managing the less aggressive cases. This tissue bank will also be made available to researchers from across Canada.

Guests attending the 13th annual event can expect a fabulous evening which will include: savoury samplings from Hotel Arts’ culinary wizards; amazing auction items including the use of a villa in Greece, a private jet, stunning art items and more; dancing to the always popular Mocking Shadows; and surprises guaranteed to delight.

Tickets are $275. Hotel Arts is located at 119 - 12th Avenue SW Calgary, AB. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.calgaryhealthtrust.ca

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT and GLEE Win Big at The 2011 Golden Globes

By Perry Mah
Follow @OUTLOOKS on Twitter

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association honored GLBT favorites this year at the 68th Annual Golden Globes. With a night that showcased Hollywood's most talented stars, it was the family drama in the movie "The Kids Are All Right" and the musical high school tribulations in the television show "Glee" that earned some of the top recognition.

"The Kids Are All Right" took home the award for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical, and the film's leading star Annette Bening was named winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. Co-star Julianne Moore was also nominated in the same category. The story of a lesbian couple, and the consequences they face when their sperm donor re-enters their family life, struck a chord with mainstream audiences and has been applauded by GLBT media.

The TV series "Glee" has been showered with accolades, and the HFPA continued the acknowledgement with three Golden Globes - including both Actor and Actress nods for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

Jane Lynch, winning for her portrayal of the ruthless and sarcastic cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, thanked her wife and children. Chris Colfer was visibly moved by his win and overcome with emotion. His character - Kurt Hummel - has become a role model for many gay and lesbian youth. Colfer acknowledged the importance of his role, dedicating his award "most importantly to all the amazing kids that watch our show and the kids that our show celebrates and are constantly told 'no' by people because of who they are....well, screw that, kids."

"Glee" was also given the top prize for Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical.

The Red Carpet played host to starlets in fashion forward gowns and leading men in designer suits, all sparkling from the shine of millions of dollars worth of jewellery. Host Ricky Gervais took to the stage with his expected blend of celeb roasting and awkward boundary-pushing jokes, but kept the show moving between the various movie and TV star award presenters.



For a complete list of winners, please visit www.goldenglobes.org

Watch FAMILY TIME: 20 Years of LGBTQ Family History

Check out the new short film Family Time -- chronicling 20 years of COLAGE and LGBTQ family movement history including outrageous talk show appearances, the stinging impact of the AIDS crisis, the state by state push for marriage equality and much more.

FAMILY TIME

Whether you're new to COLAGE, want to brush up on the history of the LGBTQ family movement, or are looking for a conversation starter, Family Time provides a great way to introduce your friends and family to COLAGE and the incredible history LGBTQ families have made over the past 20 years.

Beth Teper, the Executive Director of COLAGE, would like to recognize the progress they have achieved over the last twenty years that would not have been possible without people like you - your family and families like yours all over the country - who have shared your very real family stories and tirelessly advocated for equal rights and recognition.

Last month, Time Magazine released a report showing that for the first time ever, a slim majority of Americans consider people with LGBTQ parents to be part of a "real" family. This is good, but it's not enough. COLAGE can't wait for the day Time Magazine reports a resounding celebration of ALL families!

Please click here to view this powerful film and donate to COLAGE so they can continue to amplify the voices of people with LGBTQ parents. With your support, COLAGE will continue to vigorously advocate for children with LGBTQ parents and our families in 2011!


About COLAGE

www.colage.org

COLAGE is the only national youth-driven network of people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer parents. Living in a world that treats our families differently can be isolating or challenging. By connecting us with peers who share our experience, COLAGE helps us become strong advocates for ourselves and our families.

OUTLOOKS New Issue #187 Online Now!!

Grammy Award winning artist Nelly Furtado is back, bringing fresh hits - and classics - to her fans! OUTLOOKS chats with the superstar about her new greatest hits CD, the story behind her gay-inspired dance hit "Night Is Young", and catching "Bieber Fever". Read Part One of Randall Shirley's Top 50 Greatest Gay Travel Experiences, and see which one of these choice destinations and events you should hit next. We examine the country of Uganda, and how their anti-homosexuality bill could effect you closer to home. Also; go from Mild to Wild in Fort Lauderdale, see our list of top wines under $20, spruce up your home with the latest winter-themed décor, and more in this Double Issue!

Be sure to visit the Out & About Online Gallery to see event pictures from across Canada, and check out the DYW Gallery to see this month's hottie: Trevor Adams.

OUTLOOKS - Available Canada-wide in Your Community!

www.outlooks.ca

Christmas with The Queens: A Holiday Spectacular

KRK Productions Artistic Director Kevin Kreisz takes us on a ride through the holiday season in his magical production debut with festive choreography by Trevor Kozlow, includes dazzling costumes created by Chris Sinosich of Sebastian and Co. These 90 minutes of holiday frivolity in French revue format sizzles like the Lido Paris or the Bal du Moulin Rouge. With dynamic comedic performances, breathtaking dance production numbers, gorgeous costumes and astounding scenes, Christmas With The Queens: A Holiday Spectacular captivates audiences as the new holiday celebration!

Experience the NEW Holiday tradition of Singing and Dancing with the Queens. Come along on our magical journey as Kevin Kreisz, in his Artistic Directing Debut, takes us for a ride through Candyland complete with Tatiana as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Mandy Camp enchants us with Faith Hill’s-“Where are You Christmas” and Connie Smudge is the WILDEST Mrs. Claus you will ever meet. Jaylene Tyme rocks us as Cher and Robyn Graves belts it like Judy Garland. Raye Sunshine, the reigning DMS Empress, will be on hand to shed light on some of the DMS charities such as “Out in Schools” and “Check Him Out” Iona Whipp and Kiki Lawhore bring the total up to eight Queens of Christmas! Guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.

Christmas with the Queens: A Holiday Spectacular December 23, 2010 @ 8pm
One Night Only at the River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond BC. Tickets available at ticketmaster.ca

Photo courtesy Daryl Dyck Photography www.daryldyck.com
For more information, visit www.riverrock.com
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