LGBTQ

CFUV announced its Queer Histories and Futures project, funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. (Pixabay)

UVic campus radio launches program to boost digital literacy, intergenerational connections in queer community

Meetings for CFUV’s Queer Histories and Futures project will begin in mid-June

CFUV announced its Queer Histories and Futures project, funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. (Pixabay)
A sneak peak at some of the items that will be in a draw basket at the very first Vanderhoof Pride event. (Kjerstina Larsen/Facebook)

B.C. community to hold first official Pride event in its history

Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen plans to attend the event to promote inclusivity

A sneak peak at some of the items that will be in a draw basket at the very first Vanderhoof Pride event. (Kjerstina Larsen/Facebook)
Dan Parker and his group Bandeira Parker, as seen at the Hub City Bounce Back event in March, will perform at Nanaimo Without Borders concert on May 21 at the Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file photo)

Benefit concert to help LGBTQ refugees fleeing persecution to be held in Nanaimo

‘Nanaimo Without Borders’ takes place May 21 at Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community

Dan Parker and his group Bandeira Parker, as seen at the Hub City Bounce Back event in March, will perform at Nanaimo Without Borders concert on May 21 at the Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file photo)
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, May 6, 2022. A year since the federal government announced a fund for organizations making sexual and reproductive information and services more available, advocates say those funds have not yet been released. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

$45M sexual, reproductive health fund not yet released a year later: advocates

Health Canada says it has signed nine contribution agreements

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, May 6, 2022. A year since the federal government announced a fund for organizations making sexual and reproductive information and services more available, advocates say those funds have not yet been released. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A giant rainbow flag is carried on Robson Street during the Vancouver Pride Parade in 2017. A new report out of UBC suggests the lives and health of LGBTQ youth in B.C. are improving. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Health, lives of LGBTQ youth in B.C. improving but not yet equal: report

UBC report shows positive signs between 2008 and 2018

A giant rainbow flag is carried on Robson Street during the Vancouver Pride Parade in 2017. A new report out of UBC suggests the lives and health of LGBTQ youth in B.C. are improving. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Kara Nystrom, a contender for Miss Health and Fitness 2022, is possibly the first transgender woman to enter in the U.S. magazine contest. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

‘A queer, feminine body against the world:’ A Victoria woman’s vision for Miss Health and Fitness

Kara Nystrom has entered a U.S. magazine contest that is soon open to voting

Kara Nystrom, a contender for Miss Health and Fitness 2022, is possibly the first transgender woman to enter in the U.S. magazine contest. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
An artist’s rendering of a national LGBTQ monument is shown in a handout illustration. A national LGBTQ2+ monument — inspired by a dramatic thundercloud — is to be built in Ottawa by 2025. The winning design, featuring a silver mirrored mosaic interior inspired by a thunderhead cloud and disco balls, was unveiled today at an event attended by Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Heritage

Design for national LGBTQ2+ monument inspired by thundercloud and disco balls

$8-million monument to recognize Canada’s history of institutionalized homophobia and transphobia

An artist’s rendering of a national LGBTQ monument is shown in a handout illustration. A national LGBTQ2+ monument — inspired by a dramatic thundercloud — is to be built in Ottawa by 2025. The winning design, featuring a silver mirrored mosaic interior inspired by a thunderhead cloud and disco balls, was unveiled today at an event attended by Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Heritage
W.L. McLeod Elementary students in Vanderhoof spent a Thursday morning last June remediating the community’s new rainbow crosswalk that was recently damaged by a large burnout. (Photo by Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

Vanderhoof moves to install surveillance cameras at rainbow crosswalk

The crosswalk has been repeatedly vandalized by drivers performing burnouts on it

W.L. McLeod Elementary students in Vanderhoof spent a Thursday morning last June remediating the community’s new rainbow crosswalk that was recently damaged by a large burnout. (Photo by Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)
Someone Like Me co-directors and partners Sean Horlor, left, and Steve J. Adams. (Photo courtesy of Grady Mitchell/National Film Board of Canada)

Saanich-raised filmmaker’s doc melds struggles of gay asylum seeker, his sponsors

Sean Horlor’s Someone Like Me plays at the Victoria Film Festival on Feb. 5

Someone Like Me co-directors and partners Sean Horlor, left, and Steve J. Adams. (Photo courtesy of Grady Mitchell/National Film Board of Canada)
Britanny Vis, executive director of the Maritime Museum of BC, is seeking input from queer, trans and two-spirit individuals willing to share their marine stories for use in the upcoming Queer at Sea exhibit. (Black Press Media file photo)
Britanny Vis, executive director of the Maritime Museum of BC, is seeking input from queer, trans and two-spirit individuals willing to share their marine stories for use in the upcoming Queer at Sea exhibit. (Black Press Media file photo)
A blood donor clinic pictured at a shopping mall in Calgary, Alta., Friday, March 27, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canadian Blood Services eyes removing sexual orientation-based donation restrictions

In most of Canada, men who have sex with men can donate only if they have abstained from sex

A blood donor clinic pictured at a shopping mall in Calgary, Alta., Friday, March 27, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Port Alberni’s first rainbow crosswalk was installed a few years ago on Fourth Avenue at Argyle Street, connecting city hall with the Capitol Theatre. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Suspects own up to damaging rainbow crosswalk in Port Alberni

Incidents happened separately in August and September

Port Alberni’s first rainbow crosswalk was installed a few years ago on Fourth Avenue at Argyle Street, connecting city hall with the Capitol Theatre. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Stacey Chomiak’s queer, illustrated, young-adult memoir ‘Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming-of-Age Story’ is being released on Oct. 19, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. author says being gay and Christian is OK

Stacey Chomiak’s memoir aimed at LGBTQ youth makes peace with faith community and queer community

Stacey Chomiak’s queer, illustrated, young-adult memoir ‘Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming-of-Age Story’ is being released on Oct. 19, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Kelowna drag queen Jenna Telz performs during a show at the Friends of Dorothy Lounge on Oct. 1. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Creating Queens: Kelowna’s Indigenous drag queens use their platforms to inspire

Two local drag queens have helped pave the way for nearly 30 drag performers

Kelowna drag queen Jenna Telz performs during a show at the Friends of Dorothy Lounge on Oct. 1. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Victoria sing songwriter Jeremy Sinclair released his debut music video “Hey, how ya been” in July, drawing inspiration from his performing arts training and miscellaneous items he found around the house. (Courtesy of Jeremy Sinclair)

Victoria artist combines songwriting with performance art in debut music video

“Hey, how ya been” explores self-acceptance as a queer artist

Victoria sing songwriter Jeremy Sinclair released his debut music video “Hey, how ya been” in July, drawing inspiration from his performing arts training and miscellaneous items he found around the house. (Courtesy of Jeremy Sinclair)
Port Alberni RCMP are looking for a vehicle that damaged a rainbow crosswalk. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Port Alberni RCMP are looking for a vehicle that damaged a rainbow crosswalk. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
President Joe Biding tours Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility in Lanham, Md., Wednesday, Aug 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Biden nominates first LGBT federal appeals court nominee

Beth Robinson helped argue the first legal recognition in the country of same-sex relationships

President Joe Biding tours Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility in Lanham, Md., Wednesday, Aug 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
QThreadz co-founder Mady Harber runs a pop-up shop of their normally online upcycled, gender-inclusive clothing store in Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy of Mady Harber)
QThreadz co-founder Mady Harber runs a pop-up shop of their normally online upcycled, gender-inclusive clothing store in Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy of Mady Harber)
The pride flag flies following a raising ceremony on Parliament Hill Wednesday June 1, 2016 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Businesses in Canadian, American gay villages struggle amid pandemic: study

Most businesses in the villages fell under the retail, restaurant and entertainment categories

The pride flag flies following a raising ceremony on Parliament Hill Wednesday June 1, 2016 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of Commercial and Bastion streets was vandalized and then re-painted this past weekend. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Pride crosswalks vandalized in downtown Nanaimo

Black paint spread across Bastion and Commercial street crosswalk, city plans more durable paint job

A rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of Commercial and Bastion streets was vandalized and then re-painted this past weekend. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)