Weekend News Roundup

West End Vigil for LGBT RightsHere are our top gay and Vancouver news picks from January 11th to 18th. A short one this week, but sometimes that's not a bad thing.

Vancouver Gay News

Gay World News

Weekend News Roundup

Gay Men ProjectHere are our top gay and Vancouver news picks from December 4th to 11th.

West End News

Gay Vancouver News

  • Vancouver men featured in Kevin Truong's Gay Men Project: "As a kid, I remember being excited any time I saw an Asian person on TV, in a movie, or in a music video," he said. "I also remember what it was like to not see it. A part of that has always stuck with me, and as an adult, as I look around at representations of gay men and women in media, I don't see a lot of reflections of myself. I know the Gay Men Project is only a blog, but I do hope by showing men over the age of 50, men of varying body shapes, men of color—I hope it's providing something for someone..."
  • Our (gay) guide to Club PuSh 2014: Gender identity and drag queens are centre stage for Club PuSh, part of the tenth anniversary of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.

Gay World News

  • The Rev. Robert Nugent, priest who ministered to gay Catholics, dies at 76: Robert Nugent, a Catholic priest who became nationally known for his pastoral work with gay men and lesbians, a ministry that was officially ended in 1999 when the Vatican declared it “erroneous and dangerous,” died Jan. 1 at a religious retirement community in Milwaukee. Rest in peace.
  • Gay-Marriage Fight Takes a Toll on Utahns: The recent flurry of court rulings legalizing and then halting gay marriage in Utah has whipsawed residents of this predominantly Mormon city, a conservative enclave that saw its first-ever gay pride celebration only last summer.
  • Russian Orthodox Church Pushes For Gay Ban Referendum: Russia's powerful Orthodox Church proposed Friday a referendum on banning gay relations in the face of Western pressure over human rights ahead of next month's Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Polar Bear Swim in 2014

Polar Bear Swim Vancouver 2014Get ready to plunge in to the cold waters at the English Bay (or just watch on the sidelines if you're too scared to, like me) for the Polar Bear Swim. The local tradition returns for another year, on January 1st, to help kick off the new year. The plunge is scheduled for 2:30pm, and participants and spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food or cash donation for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

If you wish to participate in the polar bear swim, you'll be required to sign up prior to the event. Registration takes place at the English Bay Bathhouse between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m on January 1st - and good news - it's free!

Here are some swim tips from the City of Vancouver to help keep you safe (and warm!):

  • If you have a heart problem - just watch!
  • Children must swim and stay with an adult
  • Please leave your dog at home
  • Do not drink - alcohol does not warm you up - it accelerates hypothermia.
  • Do not stay in the water longer than 15 minutes. Body heat is lost 25 times faster in water than in air.
  • Do not remove your clothing until swim time. The swim will be started by a flag and siren.
  • Entrants in the 100 yard race - meet in the front line on the north side (Stanley Park side) of the enclosure.
  • First 3 swimmers to touch the marker buoy by the lifeguard boat - give your names to the lifeguard.
  • After you swim, pick up your commemorative button at the large polar bear or at the registration table.
  • Warm up with coffee or hot chocolate.

Weekend News Roundup

Boy Scouts Accept Gay YouthHere are our top gay news picks from Vancouver and around the world for December 21st to December 28th!

Vancouver News

Gay World News

Weekend News Roundup

Vancouver Liquor LawsHere are our top gay news picks from December 14th to December 21st.

Gay Vancouver News

Gay World News

  • Ugandan parliament passes antigay law: While homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda, the maximum penalty for the new offence of "aggravated homosexuality" is life imprisonment. The death penalty clause, originally included when the bill was introduced in 2010, was removed from the final version adopted by Uganda's parliament.
  • ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Suspended Over Remarks About Gay People: “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson has been suspended from filming the A&E reality series following his remarks about gay people where he called homosexuality illogical in a recent interview with GQ magazine.
  • Gay couples rejoice with weddings in Utah after federal court ruling: It was an unlikely scene that unfolded in one of the most conservative states in the U.S. as same-sex couples rushed to get married at the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office immediately after learning that a federal judge had overturned Utah’s ban on gay marriage.

Weekend News Roundup

Tim Stevenson Sochi OlympicsHere are our top news picks from December 8th to December 14th:

Davie Village News

  • The Daily Catch is opening a new store in the Village: I think it's a great fit for our community. More information coming soon?

Gay Vancouver News

Gay World News

Exploring the Village: India Bistro

India Bistro is one of Vancouver's finest dining locations for a taste of authentic Indian cuisine. Located in the heart of the Davie Village and serving the community for over 22 years, this is a place you have to eat if you're living in or visiting our neighborhood - it's that good.

Optik Local (Telus) recently had the chance to interview the owner, Kamal Mroke, and learn more about this popular West End eatery, as well as a quick tutorial on how to make a classic Indian yogurt dish, Raita.

Continue Reading...

Weekend Gay News Roundup

Snow in Vancouver! Brrrr!Here are our top gay and Vancouver news picks from December 1st to December 7th.

Gay Vancouver News

Local Vancouver News

Gay World News

Santa is coming to the Davie Village

Baked holiday treats from Cobs BreadHave you been naughty or nice this year?

Decorations are starting to appear for the holiday season in the Davie Village, and a special visitor is stopping by to greet kids of all ages - why it's none other than Santa Claus! Back again for another year, Mr. Claus will be at Cobs Bread (1160 Davie Street) on December 8th to listen to all of your Christmas wishes, before heading back to the North Pole to continue with Christmas preparations. Stop by any time between 1pm to 5pm and have your picture taken with Santa.

Mark your calendars, and stay up to date with Cobs Bread on Twitter and Facebook for more updates.

Weekend News Roundup

Lights of Hope St. Pauls VancouverHere are our top gay news picks from November 24th to November 30th.

Davie Village News

  • Help St. Pauls Hospital - Give to the Lights of Hope: The Lights of Hope campaign raises funds to support the hospital’s greatest needs – enabling us to meet urgent needs for equipment, research and enhanced patient care, when and where they arise.
  • Vancouver looks to laneways to increase downtown density: Laneway housing has proven to be hugely popular in Vancouver’s single-family neighbourhoods in the past few years. Now the city wants to try the same idea in its oldest downtown neighbourhood, the already dense West End – but with a twist.

Local Vancouver News

  • AIDS - So close to a cure: Vancouver at center of research as illness turned from deadly epidemic to manageable condition
  • Win a Cookie-Palooza Gift Box from Boys Own Bakery: GayVancouver.net is hosting a delicious competition!
  • Free Hugs Day: A favourite event amongst AIDS Vancouver’s volunteers, Free Hugs Day will take place at Granville Street Skytrain Station from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Come by, say hi, and help us spread the message- you can’t get HIV/AIDS from a hug.

Gay / LGBT News