Dear GayCalgary,
Artists for Quality of Life (AFQOL) has cleared over $10,000! Talk about the little engine that could!!
2007 was a banner year. Between immense community support, our premiere fundraiser, (the 4th Annual Donnie Peters Memorial Cut-a-thon), and cash donations, we exceeded the $10,000 mark. This money enables us as a 3rd party charity to help support the nutritional needs of those living with HIV/AIDS. From this money, $6700 will be used for the Positive Living Lunch Program, as well as Xmas hampers and emergency nutritional needs.
An additional $3000 has been earmarked for the first AFQOL Weekend Retreat, which will offer those with HIV/AIDS a chance to get back to nature while enjoying tai chi, counseling and the company of others - once again boosting the quality of life.
We still need cash donations to assist us with the retreat, so please contact David Patten (Finance) @ (403) 560-3119 if you are able.
Also, we are proud to announce that the 4th Annual AFQOL Celebration and Awards Gala will be held at 7pm on Sunday February 17th 2008 at Money Pennies. Come one come all and celebrate another successful year while we kick off 2008.
Best wishes to everyone and Happy New Year!!
Linda Eckess
Executive Chair
Artists for Quality of Life
Dear GayCalgary and Edmonton,
On Dec 31st the Roost closed its doors…
I remember the Roost opening in Edmonton in 1978. Oh those were the days - the original name was The Cock Roost, ha ha, and after a few months the name was changed to The Roost.
I remember dancing to Star Wars with my 1st lover Rick. I was 20 years old. Today Rick and I are the best of friends. He was the one who told me about the Roost closing its doors, and I was sad to hear the news.
The Roost gave the Gay community in Edmonton a good 30 years of fun and dance, and brought the gay community together hand in hand. Now the question is, will the Roost open again?
More of the older warehouses and buildings are bought every day across Canada and converted into offices or lofts or parking lots - as it happened to Flash Back, which closed in 1989.
The Roost will be missed. I would like to thank Dow the owner for his dedication of 30 years, giving the gay community a place to call home. I will always have many memories of The Roost and Flash Back - I could not have done it without the two of you...
Love to all of you in Edmonton from the coast,
Allen Ross
Dear GayCalgary,
As I was present at the recent Pride Calgary AGM, I felt it pertinent to cover a few aspects that escaped attention with all of the dramatics that were present. I think it would be better to discuss things in a more positive light.
- Pride allows us to stand up for ourselves, fight when we need to, no matter win or lose.
- Pride gives us a way to demonstrate our achievements in life and celebrate with others.
- Pride is not a representative of the community it is a reflection of it.
- Pride is not diminished by the differences of others.
- The pride of those before us gave us the equality of today.
- We only need our own approval to have pride.
Now admittedly I am new to working with Pride Calgary, and as such have been blissfully ignorant of what politics have plagued the organization. Truthfully, I would rather remain that way and focus on going forward. One of the few things I am aware of is that as an organization Pride Calgary is suffering from a lack of manpower, volunteers, members and board directors alike. We are all responsible for making Pride happen, not entitled to it because of the efforts of a few. Pride does need the support of the people it supports in turn. I hope there are those who can find their Pride and aid Pride Calgary. There are many ways people can do it, not all of it requires a two year term of dedication. By being a member and offering your opinion, by going to events and enjoying yourself, by getting involved, volunteering and simply speaking up and being proud.
I would like to thank all those agencies and businesses who have helped Pride to succeed up to this point and those that will in the coming years. At this point I am going to work my greatest to help Pride be the spectacle it deserves to be, preferably with the rest of the community at our side. With a little work, Pride 2008 can be even greater than previous years and it will be our own efforts that make us proud.
Sig Moser
Director, Pride Calgary
