Liz Massiah is a true trailblazer in our LGBTQ+ community.  Coming to Alberta from Ontario in the early 1980s, Liz created permanent positive change for our Rainbow community.  This interview is Part 1 of a series of episodes that will be conducted with Liz over the next number of weeks and months.  Her storytelling tells the emotions of people and those 'small moments in time' are all so important. 

Part 1 begins with her background, her family, and her awakening as a Lesbian powerhouse. GALA (Gay and Lesbian Awareness), the 1st Pride Parade, the creation of what has become HIV Edmonton, Womonspace, and END (Edmonton Networking Discreetly) are but a few topics discussed in the conversation. Liz's fingerprints are involved in all of this.  If you know of an organization from the 1980s being formed, it is likely Liz was one of the founding members.

This conversation struck close to me on a personal note as my late Uncle Marvin Joslin was mentioned.  For the first time ever, a person in our community remembered him.  It is a moment that meant a lot to me.  Thank you, Liz!

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Matt Phillips joins 'Tales of the LGBTQ+' to discuss chicken, bisexuality, mental illness, raising funds for charity and so much more.

Since starting the acclaimed restaurant 'Northern Chicken' 5 years ago, Matt and his business have raised over $100,000 for charities with the bulk of it towards 2SLGBTQIA+ community supports. Considering the pain of the last two years in the restaurant/hospitality sector, that is an amazing number.

Matt shares his story as a proud bisexual man navigating the restaurant industry during the pandemic and himself as part of the Rainbow community. The conversation also includes mental health which is a topic Matt and I are very open about discussing.  

On Friday, November 19th, 2021, head down to Northern Chicken as they celebrate the launch of the '2022 Balls, Boobs & Beer Calendar' with 100% of the calendar sales going to Each + Every (Businesses for Harm Reduction). It begins at 6 pm.    https://www.eachandevery.org/

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Claire Pearen, Erica Posteraro, Brian Deacon and Erynn Christie join 'Tales of the LGBTQ+' to discuss with Douglas their experiences as organizers of this weekly protest movement. A protest movement which includes the host Douglas.

'Pride Corner on Whyte' envisions an Edmonton where every member of the LGBTQ family (plus local businesses) can safely be on Whyte Avenue without fear and without subjection to homophobic street preachers.

For over 10 years, street preachers have stood on their milk crate with their microphone and 'preached' their messages. It is homophobia disguised as bible quotes.
It is long past time to reclaim the space on the corner of 104th street and Whyte and have it be known as 'Pride Corner'. A growing group of counter protestors have made it their calling to stand on 104th and Whyte to fight the good fight.

This group has been created to gain information and to know how you can help create 'Pride Corner on Whyte'.

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Felicia Bonée is the stage name of Felicia Grayson , a drag performer and contestant on the first season of Call Me Mother.  A fierce queen with a heart of gold, Felicia Bonée is an outspoken activist and regular on the Alberta drag circuit. She claims her biggest strength is her impeccable lip-sync ability; her go-to song is "Good as Hell" by Lizzo. #BlackTransLivesMatter.

Three legendary mothers of drag have come together to teach the children.
RuPaul's Drag Race alum Peppermint, RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Crystal, and Canadian performer Barbada are the leads of the new OUTtv competition series Call Me Mother, which will pit the trio's individual drag houses against each other across eight weeks for the title of "First Child of Drag" and a prize package valued at $50,000.

Felicia Bonée shares her background story, her claim to being the 'Queen of the Nerds' plus so much more!

... and yes ... Dick Grayson does have the best ass in comics.

Website  -  www.thefeliciabonee.ca
LinkTree  -  https://linktr.ee/thefeliciabonee

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Matthew Akplu is a man on a mission.  A mission to entertain and to educate.

The new Gospel of Matthew 4,13 is pure fabulousness.

By day, Matthew is a Music teacher sharing his passion of music with a range of school age children in the Public School system.  Outside the classroom, he makes up half of 'Matthew and the Keys' who have recently released their debut album 'Victory' which can be found on Spotify, Apple, and Bandcamp.

Matthew performed the lead single, 'Choose Love' on 'Pride Corner on Whyte' which is a location near and dear to Douglas' heart.  Performing on Whyte Avenue before many members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community was a treat for Matthew especially as he was raised in Edmonton.  A man who is proud of his identity.  When not singing over catchy bars of music, Matthew can also be seen modelling and acting in various endeavors.

A rising star . . . Matthew Akplu joins Douglas to discuss his rich history and highlights where he is heading in the future.

Matthew and the Keys - https://mathekeys.com/

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Kayle Mackintosh was introduced to me through 'Pride corner on Whyte'.  How can one not witness a force of nature in action? Or, in this case, a cool mist in the wind. 

Kayle hasnt had it easy having grown up without a stable home.  Moving to many different towns and villages in Northern Alberta in their youth without a stable roof over their head caused issues.  Kayle discusses their background today on 'Tales of the LGBTQ+'. 

But Kayle is using her past to forge a new path in her adulthood.  This path gives back and allows them to create significant safe space for those who are unhoused in Edmonton.  Support is provided by them in so many ways and it is very interesting how this is done without also surrendering pieces of yourself.  Boundaries need to be set and met at all times. 

Cool, calm and collected are words I would use to describe them.  Plus, a huge thank you for supporting me when I needed to deescalate a situation on 'Pride Corner'. Support and love!

Yep ... once again ... smitten.

Bissell Centre -  https://bissellcentre.org/
Access Open Minds - https://accessopenminds.ca/
Access 24/7 - https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/...

SHOW LESS

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After a month hiatus due to work commitments, Tales of the LGBTQ+ returns to the airways!

Jocelyn Lapointe and Ashley Allen are the guests and they share many bonds with each other.  it is evident there is a deep love between both of them as their glow, their hand holding and their words express their feelings about each other.

But they are more than just their relationship.  Coming from faith-based backgrounds, they are striving towards an Edmonton that is safe for unhoused folk battling addiction.  Safe Reduction Sites Saves Lives.  Science and facts support this statement and both Jocelyn and Ashley share their knowledge on this topic. 

You have a homework assignment, Listeners!  Become educated.  It will save lives.

For the shopping links mentioned,
Majesty and Friends - https://www.instagram.com/majestyandfriends/
Lady Cox Collection - https://www.instagram.com/ladycoxcollection/

Bailey - You are loved and I wish the world got to see more of your heart, kindness and beautiful nature.  My heart is broken.  Our hearts are broken learning you are no longer with us.  May your wings soar into the next world.  That world gained a beautiful one and this world is lesser because of it.  We will never forget you.

“There is no death, only a change of worlds.” – Duwamish

Briteline    www.briteline.ca     1-844-702-7483
Trans LifeLine   www.tranlifesline.ca    1-877-330-6366
Kid's Help Phone  1-800-668-6868  or type "CONNECT" to 686868

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Empress 45 Carrie Du'Way and Emperor Tanner Steele joins 'Tales of the LGBTQ+' to discuss their journey into the Drag world, why the stepped up to lead the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose during the pandemic and discuss why the year was a success.

The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose Social Association is a registered non-profit society incorporated in the Province of Alberta under The Societies Act of Alberta.

The society’s mission is to raise funds, through activities by the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose, for charities and other organizations which either provides direct services to the LGBTQ2S+ community of Edmonton or which work to promote an accepting attitude towards the LGBTQ2S+ community as a whole. The ISCWR continues to build bridges to the community at large through ongoing partnerships.

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GoDiva and Rob Browatzke  join 'Tales of the LGBTQ+' to share the history of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose (Part 2).

The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has been a sovereign chapter of the International Court System since its inception in 1976. 

The Court of Edmonton is proud to be at the forefront of many significant Canadian Court firsts – they had Canada’s first Native American Empress, Millicent, Empress I; Canada’s first Black Empress, Gracie Spoon, Empress XIII; Canada’s first female Imperial Crown Prince, PePe, ICP XIV; Canada’s first straight female Empress, Mother Jean, Empress X. 

They were the first Canadian monarchs to be presented in any Legislative Assembly, in Canada in full regalia. The only other person ever allowed to wear a crown in the House is Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. They were also one of the first organizations to donate to HIV research in the 1980s and also to Camp fYrefly, Canada’s only leadership retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer, questioning and allied youth, founded in 2004.

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The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has been a sovereign chapter of the International Court System since its inception in 1976. 

The Court of Edmonton is proud to be at the forefront of many significant Canadian Court firsts – they had Canada’s first Native American Empress, Millicent, Empress I; Canada’s first Black Empress, Gracie Spoon, Empress XIII; Canada’s first female Imperial Crown Prince, PePe, ICP XIV; Canada’s first straight female Empress, Mother Jean, Empress X. 

They were the first Canadian monarchs to be presented in any Legislative Assembly, in Canada in full regalia. The only other person ever allowed to wear a crown in the House is Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. They were also one of the first organizations to donate to HIV research in the 1980s and also to Camp fYrefly, Canada’s only leadership retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer, questioning and allied youth, founded in 2004.

Leah Way and Ron Byers join 'Tales of the LGBTQ+' to share the history of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose (Part 1).

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