Kwolanne Felix (she/her) is a queer writer, student, and gender equality and environmentalist. She was born in Haiti, grew up in Miami, and currently lives in New York City. She is a senior at Columbia University studying History focusing on the African Diaspora. Kwolanne writes creative nonfiction, opinion pieces, and personal essays where she reflects on issues surrounding gender, sexuality, race, as well as pop culture from intersectional perspectives. Her writing has been featured in feminist publications like Ms. Magazine, and Malala Fund’s Assembly, as well as the Columbia Spectator. Learn more by following @kwolanne on Insta or check out her website at kwolannefelix.wordpress.com ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* BYHAZE (he/him) "The Architect of Healing Sounds" is a singer, singer writer and creative content entrepreneur dedicated to the progression of his community through sonic healing, visual evolution, and artistic philanthropy. BYHAZE emerged onto the scene gifting audiences with his ocular narratives as not only a model, but a photographer/ photojournalist. In this realm he has been featured in a wide variety of publications such as Vogue, Afro-Punk, Essence, Allure and many more. He amplifies the need for global evolution of self through sonic healing, visual transformation, curative manifestation, and the theory of UBUNTU, which means "I am, because you are". Believing that all things are divinely guided, Haze, created his “Repeat After Me" affirmation series on TikTok accruing 130K followers, teaching audiences about the power of manifestation. His single AFFIRMATION, went viral on TikTok and led him to Coachella to offer soundbaths and affirmation workshops for attendees. ByHaze is fluent in many creative disciplines but uses music and dance to amplify the spaces he and his people occupy. He recently debuted the Mixtape “Clarity”, that included the breakout hit “Magnetic” followed by the acoustic version. These projects exude joy and uplifting energy & include healing harmonies, singing bowls, wind chimes, and acoustic instruments for an organic feel. Peaking at #8 on the Itunes R&B Charts during its debut week, prompted the release of live acoustic performances and meditative visualizers. Learn more and follow the artist via his website at www.byhaze.co

Murry Peeters (she/her) is an actor and WGC-award nominated screenwriter. Recent screenwriting credits include: THE PARKER- ANDERSONS and AMELIA PARKER. Her screen credits include NBC’s TAKEN, FARCRY 5 and SEE. Peeters’ acting experience enables her to write material populated by richly diverse and layered characters. She was selected to participate in the inaugural class of the WarnerMedia Canadian Academy Writers Program. She is also an alumna of the Canadian Film Center's 2018 Writers' Lab, a 2018 Magee TV Diverse Screenwriters Award recipient and a Netflix-Banff 2019 & 2020 Diversity of Voices participant. Murry is the Director and Writer behind WOMAN MEETS GIRL, an indy film short set to take the film festival circuit by storm about two women finding love and connection in unexpected places. Over a vodka-fueled game of Never Have I Ever, Annabelle, a 40-something year old virgin and Tessie, an 18-year old homeless sex worker, challenge each other to expose their vulnerabilities revealing their differences and similarities. Through the night, an undeniable chemistry emerges between them. Follow Murry online at @murrypeeters or the film at @wmgfilm

Restlust, (aka) Tianna Nicole (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, Black- and Mexican-American artist, sound explorer, transdisciplinary artist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and DJ, based in Los Angeles. Their focus is on creating sonic healing experiences, often as a collaborator. They are also the drummer and manager for the queer Afropunk band, Fuck U Pay Us. Their performance and music has been shown at MOMA PS1, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA LA, NTS Radio, and Afropunk festival, among others. They are also the Program Manager at Side Street Projects and you can check out the Artist on digital at: IG: @Restlust | website: restlust.com ***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Comedian. Actor. Musician. Advocate. Entrepreneur. Five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee Margaret Cho has been a strong voice in comedy for many years. Vogue Magazine named them one of the 9 best female comedians of all time alongside Joan Rivers, amongst others. Cho staunchly supports the causes that are important to her: anti-racism, anti-bullying, LGBTQ+ rights, all while fulfilling her successful creative side with a legendary stand-up career that has yielded 10-plus comedy tours. Her recent TV roles include Season 2 of HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant, a guest starring role on Season 2 of HBO Max’s Hacks, and two Netflix is a Joke comedy specials: Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration AND Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live; and her role as the ‘mother hen’ in the well-reviewed movie, Fire Island. Margaret brings her unique brand of comedy to Vancouver with the Margaret Cho: Live and LIVID! Show at the Vogue Theatre SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2023, and you can get your tix at jflvancouver.com. Catch Margaret online at Insta: @margaret_cho Twitter: @margaretcho Their focus is on creating sonic healing experiences, often as a collaborator. They are also the drummer and manager for the queer Afropunk band, Fuck U Pay Us. Their performance and music has been shown at MOMA PS1, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA LA, NTS Radio, and Afropunk festival, among others. They are also the Program Manager at Side Street Projects and you can check out the Artist on digital at: IG: @Restlust | website: restlust.com

KENDALL GENDER As a performer, host, model and LGBTQIA2S+ activist, Kendall Gender (he/him (out of drag, she/her in drag) is a bonafide Canadian drag sensation. With grassroots in Vancouver, she has performed coast to coast since 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down. Kendall is best known for being on season 2 of Canada’s Drag Race, where she placed in the top 3. She is also known for being the queer ambassador for Fairmont Hotels, a member of the infamous drag group ‘BRATPACK’ and a past winner of the elite drag competition “Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar” in 2017. She was also elected as the “Empress of Vancouver” and raised over $25,000 for various charities as a part of the Dogwood Monarchist Society. In 2020 she was also the first drag performer to do a halftime performance at the Rugby 7’s game, performing for a crowd of 50,000 people. As a biracial artist, Kendall started the show ‘VISIBLE’ which is designed as a platform to raise money and awareness for visible minorities. In 2020, the events moved digital and raised over $9,000 for Black Lives Matter during a single event. The next VISIBLE show is going to be held February 20th at The Junction. Kendall has been cast in the lead role of an upcoming film called “Stay”, playing the character Kaleb/Ivy Diamonds. The film is set to release in March of this year. As on third of the “Brat Pack”, she has a new single out, SHINE, available on all the streaming platforms. And this song is SMOKING HAWT! You can learn more about Kendall on her Insta at instagram.com/kendallgender or at kendallgender.com

Vertarias is a Singer, Choreographer, and creative director originally from California and now a resident of Austin for four years. He’s slayed commercials for Dell technologies as well as starred in music videos for the “Seratones” and debuted his debut ep “VERT” (available on all platforms) on the “ICONIC” Cheer Up Charlie’s stage in Austin exactly at 12:01 am New Year’s Day 2022. All while living in Austin. Vertarias is a sultry, fun, and creative person who enjoys life and expressing themselves through multiple art mediums. Permitting themselves to let go and move out of their way. Sharing their gift is most important to them. Follow @vertarias Vertarias has fallen in love with the queer community in Austin and has found themselves through the many mirrors/friends they have encountered while living in Austin.

Originally from Montréal, Mélanie Bray is a bilingual actor and producer who has worked across the country in both French and English. Mélanie’s film and television credits as an actor include: QUÉBEXIT, THE L WORD, PSYCH, YEAR OF THE CARNIVORE, ODD SQUAD MOBILE UNIT, RAIN DOWN, (UN)CERTAINTY, and ROSIE (the short film). Mélanie is a Dome Theatre graduate and Jessie Richardson Award nominee. After studying Film and TV Production at Langara College, Mélanie began working as an office P.A., researcher, and writer. She quickly gained experience as a production coordinator, 3 rd A.D. and voiceover coordinator. She was the casting director for two seasons of the television series EAUX TROUBLES DU CRIME/DARK WATERS OF CRIME (produced by Red Letter Films and aired on OWN). Over the years, Mélanie has also worked with Out TV, Productions Testa, Unis TV, Proximity Films and Médiatique. Mélanie has produced three short films: watermarked (Moonstone Productions), and (with her partner Gail Maurice) - ASSINI and ROSIE (Assini Productions). The award-winning Assini has screened at festivals around the world, it was nominated for four Golden Sheafs at the Yorkton Film Festival. ROSIE, the short film, has also screened at festivals worldwide, and was nominated for Best International Short Film - Comedy category at the New Filmmakers LA Film Festival (2020). Most recently, it was awarded the UNICEF award for Best Children’s Film by the Stuttgart Film Festival in Germany. Through film funding magic, Rosie - the short film became Rosie – the feature film. Each year TIFF releases their Canada’s Top Ten – Best of Films, and this year is featuring Rosie The Film, on January 28th at the TIFF Bell Lightbox Theatre. Rosie The Film will be premiering throughout British Columbia starting February 6th via “a theatre near you” You can learn more about the FEATURE film version (and screenings) on socials at @rosie_the_film

We welcome Shaun Brodie (he/him) the Artistic Director of The Queer Songbook Orchestra (QSO), a Toronto based 13-piece chamber pop ensemble, dedicated to exploring and uplifting 2SLGBTQ+ narrative in pop music. The QSO have been steadily working to bring intimacy and vulnerability to stages across Canada since the project was founded in 2014 by Artistic Director Shaun Brodie. By working with a base of familiar songs, drawn from pop music of the last century, which is reinterpreted and offered alongside their accompanying narratives, the listener is allowed a new entry point into familiar works, and a peek inside the elusive nature of song and the pockets of memory where they tuck away. They are a highly collaborative ensemble and have worked with nearly 200 guest artists and arrangers, and many others, including high school students and elders from all across Canada. The QSO have released four albums to date; the 2017 collaborative album with Vivek Shraya, Part-Time Woman (Long Listed for the Polaris Music Prize); the 2018 solo debut, Anthems & Icons; the 2019 collaborative EP with Christine Bougie, Love Songs; and the 2020 live holiday ep Roasted Chestnuts. The QSO produced a short stop-motion animated film, Reach the Sky, which is now available online, and has played festivals all around the world. They have a new show for the holidays - Roasted Chestnuts VII - a holiday fundraiser for the Queer Songbook YOUTH Orchestra at the Opera House in Toronto taking placed Tuesday, December 20th. For our local BC folx, mark your calendars for January 15th, 2023, for their show with Intrepid Theatre at the University of Victoria. Check out the incredible work they do at www.queersongbook.com ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Vancouver’s piano man, Matthew Presidente (he/him) is a bold rock/pop songwriter. Whether performing solo or with his full band, his music’s honest queer perspective invokes nostalgia, small town memories and challenges you to reflect on an exciting journey of self discovery. His next gig will be December 30th at Windfall Cider Company in North Vancouver, keep an eye out on his socials for gigs in the New Year! He’s currently recording a new full band album with songs speaking of loss, life changes and ultimately evolution. You can hear the first single, ‘A-List’, now on all streaming platforms and for more info on the artist, visit his website at www.matthewpresidente.com

Andrea Routley is a writer, editor, and the 2022/23 Haig-Brown House Writer-in-Residence. Her work has appeared in literary magazines such as Geist, Room and The Fiddlehead Review. In 2020, the title story of her new collection, “This Unlikely Soil,” was shortlisted for the Malahat Review Novella Prize. Her debut collection, Jane and the Whales (Caitlin Press, 2013), was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.

She holds an MFA in creative writing from UBC (Okanagan) and her most recent work THIS UNLIKELY SOIL a series of five novellas published in September 2022. Andrea is currently at work on her third book, a novel entitled Field Guide to Bats and Other Damage. For more on the author and her work, visit her website at andrearoutley.com


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A singer, songwriter, and bandleader based in Toronto, Steven Taetz (he/him) has written for many internationally renowned artists published on Sony/ATV, Nettwerk, Warner, Shapiro Bernstein, and Universal.

With a voice that transcends time, Steven was turned onto singing after witnessing k.d. lang‘s iconic 1985 wedding gown appearance at the JUNO Awards. Like Lang, Steven’s style covers a wide range of genres.

For 2013’s debut solo album Steven Taetz, he created a cross-Canadian collaborative collection of songs with JUNO-award-winning singer-songwriters from each province of Canada. His 2018 Drink You In album debuted at #3 on iTunes jazz charts and received rave reviews from JazzTimes and other leading media.

His latest is the title track LATE BLOOM, which is out now on all the streamers and the full album LATE BLOOM and further singles will be out in early 2023.

Intended as a collection of queer love songs, celebrating a love found later in life, Late Bloom took on a confessional tone as Steven fully embraced his queer identity. Late Bloom grew to encompass activism for equal rights, and loss, having experienced the death of three grandparents throughout the making of the record. To learn more about the artist visit his website at www.steventaetz.com

Holly Cinnamon (she/they) is a queer femme-inist lesbian actor, singer-songwriter, poet and embodiment educator hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, currently based in NYC. Holly has been singing and writing songs since they can remember, but only during the pandemic did they transition their creative energy fully back to songwriting.

They have written over 50 songs and released five singles so far in 2022 and they self produce their music through their record label, The Female Gayze.













L0GAN (they/them) is a gender fluid artist who aims to achieve ambiguity with their sound. Primarily a poet and vocalist, the inevitable development into song writing and composition was catalyzed by the use of an electric guitar.

Catchy melodic lyrics, gritty R&B cadence, mixed with a raw soulful integrity, L0GAN wants their music to make you think and feel. Heavily influenced by classic blues and jazz chords, juxtaposed with hip hop and latin drum and bass rhythms, they are striving to carve out an alternative space in the modern pop era that can’t be defined by just one genre. Their debut single NEW CLEAR is available now on the streamers and for more on the artist, follow them on Insta at @logansloud
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Holly is inspired by her identity as a queer woman, a feminist and trauma survivor and her relationship to her body as both a subject and object. They collaborate with arranger and musician Matthew Lowy.

As an actor, she has appeared in Marvel’s Daredevil, Hocus Pocus 2 and will appear in the next season of HBO’s hit show Succession, set to air in the Spring of 2023. Their latest release THE LANDSCAPE OF YOUR MIND came out in late November and for more on this busy artist, visit www.thefemalegayze.com

Benjamin Lefebvre (he/him) lives in Kitchener, Ontario. His edited books include the three-volume critical anthology The L.M. Montgomery Reader and a set of books that collect Montgomery’s extensive shorter works, most recently Twice upon a Time: Selected Stories, 1898–1939.

This fall, he published his first novel In the Key of Dale, (Arsenal Pulp Press), the story of a queer sixteen-year-old music prodigy who starts writing letters to his father, as well as short stories in The Antigonish Review, Plenitude Magazine, and an upcoming short story in The New Quarterly.

For more on the Author visit his website at benjaminlefebvre.com

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BiG SiSSY (she/her) is a green-haired witch from the Black Starr Planet. The sonic lovechild of Prince and Peaches, she has shared the stage with queer icons including Backxwash and John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig & The Angry Inch). SiSSY’s notorious stage show has earned her a spot on the Cult Montreal’s Top 5 Freakiest Musical Acts list for five years (2018-2021).


Over time SiSSY’S live act organically developed a narrative, evolving into a 30-minute rock opera titled The BiG SiSSY Show: The Message, which made its debut at Toronto’s 40th annual Rhubarb Festival.

Fresh off the release of her debut music video “Everybody Knows”, her debut EP entitled BlackStarr is set to launch in February of 2023 and her second single CAKE (ft. Backxwash) will be out December 31st. Find out more about BiG SiSSY at www.dabigsissy.ca

short stories in The Antigonish Review, Plenitude Magazine, and an upcoming short story in The New Quarterly.

For more on the Author visit his website at benjaminlefebvre.com