Calgary Stampede - Quiet Oasis Among the Crowds

The 2010 Calgary Stampede has brought the midway thrills and rodeo excitement that everyone looks forward to each year, but for those that seek a brief getaway from the crowds and the sun, look no further than the Western Oasis. Conveniently located in the BMO Centre in a separate section from the many vendor booths, this area brings a level of sophistication and culture to those out for an Urban-Chic Cowboy experience.

Take in some of Canada's finest western art on display, and chat with the local and visiting artists as they proudly showcase their work. OUTLOOKS stopped at the Wine Garden, where manager Stephen Welch detailed selections from over 20 varieties of Canadian and International wines. The wine specialists on hand offer great suggestions based on your preferences. One of our favorites is the Hardy's Stamp Series Riesling Gewürztraminer from Australia, with honey tones and backed by a slight spice and zing.

Sip a glass of wine, enjoy the art, get friendly with the living statues, dance to the Waltzing Waters show, and play a guessing game with the Speed Artist before heading back into the craziness of the midway for that extra corndog and crack at besting Whack-A-Mole. You'll thank us!

For more info, please visit westernshowcase.com or calgarystampede.com

OUTLOOKS July/August Summer Issue Available on Stands Now!

Soak up some sun, and relax this summer with OUTLOOKS! Catch up with some of your favorite celebs, starting with our exclusive one-on-one with our favorite D-lister Kathy Griffin. Read our insider with Rufus Wainwright, and find out why he has become one proud primadonna. Follow Sarah McLachlan's return, as she speaks about her new album and why she's bringing Lilith Fair to a new generation. See why Kelis is less about her Milkshake now, and more about her fierce new glamour. Also, we look at some of the best gay adventure tour groups and the surprising destinations you can experience, as well as explore queer theatre, and if it really is vanishing.

Enter Promo Code: 992ffe78d0f0 on the home page for your free trial issue!

OUTLOOKS - Available In Your Community!

outlooks.ca

The 2010 Calgary Stampede is here!

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth has hit Calgary once again, so be sure to catch all ten days of the hottest cowboys, midway attractions, concerts, and partying from July 9 - 18. OUTLOOKS Magazine will be on the grounds and at the events, so watch our blog for updates throughout the Stampede. Yeeeehaaww!

Visit www.calgarystampede.com for more details and daily schedule of events.

Happy Canada Day 2010!

Photo: Mathew Wilson

Have a Safe and
Happy Canada Day
from
OUTLOOKS Magazine!

♫♫ GLEEK NIGHT ♫♫ - Thursday June 24, at Celebrities Nightclub - Vancouver

“Being a part of something special, make you special, right?”

THURSDAY JUNE 24

CELEBRITIES & BOB LOBLAW QUEER ART SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER
PROUDLY PRESENT
♫♫ GLEEK NIGHT ♫♫

A fun & campy club night inspired by the hit TV series GLEE.

DJ ZACH SHORE plays GLEE hits & remixes with videos all night!

Fabulous GLEE performances produced by Bob Loblaw Queer Art Society of Vancouver

Special performance by Fighting Chance Productions.

Doors 9pm | Glee Show 11pm & midnight

Advance tickets available now at Little Sister's | Priape | www.celebritiesnightclub.com

Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/celebrities_van

Your Gay Wedding Specialist - Burlington Convention Centre

For memories to last a lifetime, the Burlington Convention Centre is the place to be! Romance drifts through the air as you enter the grand foyer to the music of the grand piano. Elegant European décor and soaring ceilings, with shimmering chandeliers, Wisteria Gazebo and beautiful landscaping, all make for unforgettable photographs. Dine on an exquisite feast, prepared by our executive chef and served French-style, with an elegance that only the most professional waiter can achieve. Then twirl the night away on a mosaic marble floor: The BCC is luxury at it's finest.

Contact their professional wedding coordinator, Yanko Bosch, to plan your perfect union in style.

Burlington Convention Centre
Mr. Yanko Bosch
1120 Burloak Drive
Burlington, ON L7L 6P8
Canada
cell: 289-440-3956
fax: 905-319-3989
osri71@hotmail.com
www.burlingtonconventioncentre.ca

A Statement from Pride Toronto

Pride Toronto has seen many struggles over the past 30 years, and alongside other Pride festivals around the globe, is no stranger to conflict, mixed opinions, and passionate voices. Within our diverse community, there are many perspectives and opinions to be shared and discussed equally. Pride Toronto is tasked with creating a 10-day festival that acknowledges these voices, while simultaneously creating an inviting, inclusive space for participants.

Pride Toronto respects differences - of opinion, nationality, race, creed, and most of all sexuality and gender orientation. We abandon respect and freedom of expression at our peril. Our decision to restrict the use of the words “Israeli Apartheid” was not made easily, independently, or absent of a commitment to respectful expression. Let us be clear, criticism of Israeli government policy is legitimate. However, the atmosphere created by the use of the words “Israeli Apartheid” in the last three years of the Pride Festival are not.

The Board of Pride Toronto listened to members of our community. What we heard overwhelmingly was that the use of the words “Israeli Apartheid” made participants feel unsafe. For that reason we asked members of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) to re-evaluate their approach when participating in Pride activities – that is not only our right as a Board but our obligation. QuAIA is not being banned from this year’s festival. We are restricting the use of words and phrases that can promote a poisonous atmosphere and detract from the goal of celebrating diversity within our community. No Canadian, Queer or Straight, should have to worry about their safety in a public space because of who they are or what they believe. It is regrettable that some former participants of the Parade are choosing not to participate this year but we respect the difficulty of their decision.

The public presence of the festival, particularly the Pride Parade, is a powerful statement that promotes acceptance of our community. The festival is possible in large part because of our partnership with the City of Toronto. Pride Toronto is obliged to respect various city policies, including the anti-discrimination policy. We take the anti-discrimination policy very seriously as this policy also protects the rights of members of our communities against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict evokes passionate disagreement. However, it should not damage the good work of Pride Toronto and it should not divide Canadian communities. Toronto’s Pride Festival is a celebration of tolerance, of difference, and a demonstration that supports the provision of full and equal rights for members of the LGBTTIQQ2SA community. We hope that our participants can accept the differences within our diverse communities, and come together at the Pride Festival to show their support for each other.

About Pride Toronto:

Pride Toronto is the not-for-profit organization that hosts Pride Week, an annual festival held during the first weekend of July in downtown Toronto. Pride Toronto exists to celebrate the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities and is one of the leading cultural events of its kind in the world with a total economic benefit in 2009 of $136 million.

Toronto's Pride Week has been named Best Festival in Canada by the Canadian Special Events Industry in 2004, 2005 and 2009, and is recognized as one of only eight Signature Events in the City of Toronto. It is ranked one of the TOP 50 festivals in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) as well as one of the 18 Marquee Festivals of Distinction in Canada. With attendance of over 1,2 million, it is the third largest Pride celebration in the world and the largest in North America. For media accreditation for the festival, please visit www.pridetoronto.com

*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited and Allies