Everything Gay PEI

The IT GETS BETTER PROJECT.

2010-10-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

Do you know someone that has taken their life because of homophobia? Do you ever wish that you had a chance to tell them that it gets better? Dan Savage, host of The Savage Love Podcast series, has started a campaign encouraging all GLBT people to upload a video reassuring GLBT Youth that it indeed gets better.
It Gets Better Project

Candlelit Vigil @ UPEI

2010-10-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday October 20th ARCPEI, along with the UPEI Rainbow Alliance, AIDS PEI and the UPEI Diversity Office will be holding a candlelit vigil to honor Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase, Asher Brown and Billy Lucas. These 6 GLBT Youth recently took their own lives due to homophobic bullying. The vigil will take place at 7 PM outside the main building on the UPEI Campus, or more simply known as the Quad. Please come and show your support, and remember those of whom we've lost.

Party on Saturday

2010-08-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

It's that time again. Summer is almost over so join us for one last summer party at The Wave. Parties will resume in September at our old location Mavor's where new admission prices will be $7. Hope to see you all there.

ARC Family Day

2010-08-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

ARC has booked the Tea Hill Provincial Park for a family day on Monday, September 6. The park has a children's play area with swings and slides, and with a few buckets and shovels the beach is an excellent spot for sandcastle building. We are hosting this event in an attempt to provide the community with some diversity in which we can socialize and come together.
We will be providing some music and will have BBQ's on site so you... can bring along some food for your family and friends.
The event is open to all ages and we hope you all can attend, we will be planning a series volleyball games and there is room at the park to have a softball game if enough interest is shown. We hope to see you all at our First Annual Family Day at the Tea HIll Provincial Park.

ARC Board of Directors.

Help end HIV

2010-08-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

Donate your $5 here

Party on Saturday

2010-08-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

An Open Letter To The Community

2010-08-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

ARCPEI is a not-for-profit organization committed to providing services to the GLBTQ community of Prince Edward Island, and is operated by a Board of Directors as well as a small group of dedicated volunteers. We operate without Government or private grants/sponsorship. The ARC Board of Directors is taking this opportunity to address and update the broader community on PEI in regards to our current and future endeavors, current financial status, and to put a general call out for volunteers and board members.

ARCPEI regularly hosts dance parties in a safe environment for community members, their friends and supporters, and we plan to continue these dances. Our numbers having been growing stronger and we’re pleased to be able to provide the dances for our community to come out, socialize, and dance. A lot of work takes place behind the scenes, including countless volunteer hours from both board members and volunteers to ensure we continue to have an appropriate venue to socialize and dance. This summer, our dance parties are being held at The Wave, located on the UPEI campus. This move was necessary as our regular venue (Mavors Studio #1, at the Confederation Centre of the Arts) is occupied by a stage show for the summer months. We will be returning to Mavor’s in the early fall. We realize there is a large portion of the community that has been neglected in recent years, and we’re taking steps to change that. As the GLTBQ community on Prince Edward Island diversifies and grows, we are moving forward to ensure we grow as well. We’re working towards offering events other than our regular dances. We have developed partnerships with several other organizations and will be hosting a Family Day at Tea Hill Park during the Labour Day Weekend. We’re also interested in starting a Youth and Adult Volleyball League in cooperation with Stratford Town Hall. In early September we will also be holding a Jukebox Night at the Delta with music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. In the fall we will be selling tickets for a fundraiser spaghetti dinner, various theme parties are scheduled throughout the year, as well as Halloween, Christmas and NYE parties.

As a not-for-profit entity, ARCPEI typically operates in a deficit situation throughout the year, with Pride Week supplementing regular earnings and allowing a surplus to cover regular overhead and operating costs associated with ARC activities. Pride 2010 on PEI was a success with some very well attended events. Sadly, the funds generated failed to cover the costs associated with putting on Pride 2010. After careful review of both past and present financial statements, and keeping in mind that our cover charge hasn’t changed for 12 years, the decision has been made to raise the price of cover to $7 dollars, beginning in September. This increase is necessary to ensure we continue being able to provide events and services for the community. As an aside, the dances are volunteer driven; the DJs, door staff and liaison are volunteers. Here is a brief breakdown of the costs associated with the operation of ARC and events:

- Security Staff
- SOCAN Fees (for the music we play)
- Venue Rental Fees
- Liability Insurance
- Equipment costs, including sound and lighting gear
- Office Space Rental
- Telephone Lines and Web hosting fees
- Printing and Advertising costs

We have two more dances scheduled at The Wave, and look forward to seeing everyone out at our new venue. We’ll be returning to Mavor’s in September with an increased door charge of $7. We’re now in the planning stages for Pride 2011 and are currently seeking interested volunteers to assist in various activities including finding sponsors, fundraising and planning of both Pride and ARCPEI events. Please feel free to visit out webpage at www.arcofpei.com, or check out our Facebook page (Abeqweit Rainbow Collective) for more information and to contact the board directly. We also welcome input from the community at large. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many past and present volunteers and board members who have contributed to our everyday operations and events over the years.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

Sincerely, the ARCPEI Board of Directors

Wayde Lewis, Male Co-Chair
Jeff Fitzgerald – Treasurer
Eric McKearney – Events Coordinator
Alana Leard – Youth Coordinator
Rhonda Gallant – Pride Coordinator
GeorgaDawn Moase – Volunteer Coordinator
Chris Gallant – Administrative Officer

Haitus

2010-08-08T13:09:00.000-07:00

Due to a technical difficulty with blogger.com I was not able to post any new topics in months. I missed quite a bit. (Carson Kressley on PEI for Regis & Kelly, a change of venue for dances and of course, Pride Week).

It's all good again, you can expect up-to-date information on all GLBT happenings here on PEI.

Volunteer Opportunities

2010-03-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

A message from ARCPEI's Volunteer Coordinator Andrea Savidant:

"ARC Members,

My name is Andrea Savidant and I am a Volunteer Coordinator with ARC of PEI. I am sending out this message as a general call out. ARC is looking for volunteers for various different things.

I know you all love the dances at Mavors, I know I do! These dances would not be possible without the help of our volunteers! As you all know, Pride is just around the corner. Pride is another thing that would not be possible without a group of awesome volunteers. However, we are in constant need for more. That's where you come in! We are looking for people who want to help with such things as:

-- Setting up before dances
-- Tearing down after dances
-- Working the door
-- Pride
-- Floaters

If anything listed above sounds like something you'd be interested in doing, please feel free to contact me and we can get you started. If you have any questions about different volunteer positions, do not hesitate to ask. If you are interested in volunteering you can contact me at asavidant@upei.ca or you can visit ARCPEI's Volunteer Page.

Lets keep these dances going and make Pride beyond amazing! Come out and volunteer with ARC! "

Important Message From ARCPEI

2010-03-04T00:47:00.001-08:00

It seems that there is a video circulating the internet of some people stealing a velvet rope from the Confed Center during one of the Party PEI Dances. A representative of the Confed Center says that if the rope is returned within one week that no criminal charges will be laid. I urge the guilty party to return the rope at once.

Mavors is probably the best venues that the GLBT community of Charlottetown have been fortunate enough to use for our functions, we'd like to keep it that way.

Fundraiser for GLBTQ Drop - In

2010-02-02T14:29:00.000-08:00

AIDS PEI, ARC and Katimavik present a benefit concert that will open with a coffee house feel featuring some island poets such as Carol Little and singer-songwriters, then to finish off the night we are pleased to welcome to the stage, Boxer the horse, Raccoon Bandits and The Danks. This great evening will take place Friday, February 12th at the Confederation Center of the arts in studio 1. The coffee house portion of the evening will be from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The concert portion of the evening will be from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
This is an all age’s event so all are welcome!! All proceeds will be going to AIDS PEI and ARC to create a GBLTQ youth drop-in.
Suggested donation of $10 for adults $7 for youth.

Please come out and support this great cause! Hope to see you there!

Party Tonight.

2010-01-30T11:24:00.001-08:00

Where did January go??? Come shake off the last of the January Blahs at Mavor's tonight from 9PM - 2AM.

Celebrate with Alexas

2010-01-27T12:18:00.000-08:00

Everything Gay PEI wishes an early birthday to Miss Alexas Styles who turns "22" on Saturday, January 30th.
Alexas will be performing @ Alibi Lounge at 8PM. It's the perfect pre-party for Saturday's Party PEI Dance @ Mavor's.
We hope to see you there.

77 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4L1
(902) 629-1651

AIDS PEI Wine & Cheese Fundraiser.

2010-01-27T12:07:00.000-08:00

You have been cordially invited to join AIDS PEI, Off Broadway and 42nd Street Lounge for a night of wine, cheese and desserts. This event will be taking place on January 28, 2010 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $20 for the ARC Board and ARC mailing list. This is a great price compared to the regular price of $50.

All the proceeds from this event will go to support people living with HIV/AIDS.
Tickets are available online at WWW.AIDSPEI.COM or by calling Alana Leard at 566-2437. Must be legal drinking age of 19 or over.

World Aids Day

2009-12-01T13:41:00.001-08:00

Today is World Aids Day. Do you know your status?

Remember to get tested every six months.

World AIDS Day Website

AIDS PEI needs Videographers & Actors

2009-10-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

AIDS PEI is seeking a videographer and 4-5 male/female/trans actors to create promotional and educational videos for our new website!

Tax-receipts available in-lieu of compensation for videographers.

Contact Mark Hanlon @ 566-2437 or e-mail mhanlon@aidspei.com.

Judy Shepard on Ellen

2009-10-09T17:47:00.000-07:00

Judy Shepard, mother of the late Matthew Shepard visits Ellen to talk about her new book about the tragic loss of her son.

Visit The Matthew Shepard Foundation website.

ARCPEI looking for new Board Member

2009-09-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

The Abegweit Rainbow Collective is currently seeking interested parties to sit on their 2009-2011 board of directors. Board members are expected to volunteer their time for a minimum of three hours per week on duties ranging from attending board meetings, volunteering at social events, networking with peers and other social networks and being a supporter and positive voice for the LBGT community in Prince Edward Island.

Interested parties should submit, in writing, a detailed letter of interest, listing any special skills and interest in the LBGT community.

Submissions can be sent to info@arcofpei.com or at the new office location at 375 University Avenue, Unit 2 (AIDS PEI office).

RENT @ City Cinema

2009-08-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

City Cinema will be showing RENT this Thursday night as a fundraiser for the 2009 Scotiabank AIDS Walk For Life. The film is being sponsored by Spectramedia, Beanz and Sony Pictures. Tickets cost $10 and will be available at AIDS PEI (375 University Ave) or at City Cinema on Thursday night. Doors open at 8:40PM.

Never seen the movie, or perhaps need a refresher? Here's the trailer.

Rent (2005)
by m0vietrailerpark

"Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes ..."

Hump Day @ City Cinema

2009-08-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hump Day is the story of two high school buddies who reunite many years down the line. One is married and the other is a motorcycle advernturer. While attending a party the two hear of something called "Humpfest" which turns out to be an Adult Film Festival. The two make a drunken decision to enter a film of their own. But to be original they decide that they will be acting in their film, with each other.

I know, Straight guys pretending to be gay in porn isn't the most original idea in the world, but the film has been getting some great reviews.

"More full of story, laughs and genuine human emotion than a dozen studio movies." - David Carr, THE NEW YORK TIMES

"Phenomenally funny" - Dennis Dermody, PAPER MAGAZINE

It's playing at City Cinemas from August 28th - Sept 1st. Check the City Cinema Website for movie times.

Here's the trailer.

Transgender Day Of Visibility

2009-08-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

Mark Hanlon, the Executive Director of AIDS PEI, and Pam O'Neill of the Native Council of PEI sit here in front of Province House demanding that Provincial Government do more to protect the rights of Transgendered, Transsexual and Intersex Islanders. They are representatives of just a couple of the organizations that joined in today's protest.

A petition was launched today to include 'gender identity' to the provincial Human Rights Act. David Larter, executive director of the Human Rights Commission, argues that transgendered individuals are already protected under Section 13 of the Human Rights Act. Section 13 states that no person shall discriminate against an individual because of sex or sexual orientation.

Ontario's Human Rights Act states that gender identity does fall under the sex category. By failing to specifically include the trans community in the exact wording of the law we allow those with a personal prejudice to challenge trans people's protection under Section 13. By including gender identity in the Human Rights Act we create a concrete law that can't be undermined or second-guessed by unspecific wording.

Some coffee before the Walk For Life?

2009-08-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

On August 20th AIDS PEI is throwing a kick-off coffee house for the Scotiabank AIDS Walk For Life at Beanz between 11AM & 4PM. Anyone looking to show off their talent is encouraged to book your performance time by contacting Jason Ellsworth by e-mail (coordinator@peiwalkforlife.com) of by calling 566-2437.

Hope to see you there.

PEI Walk For Life.

2009-08-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

2009 artwork created by Newfoundland and Labrador artist Don Short.

ARC is looking for members from the GLBT community to join the ARC team in the PEI Walk For Life, a fundraiser for AIDS PEI. All money raised will stay on the island.

You can register for the Walk For Life by clicking here. From the ARC team page click "Join our team". If you can't join and still want to help you can click the "Sponsor our team" option to make a quick & secure donation online.

Thanks, and I hope to see you there.

Trans Day Of Visibility postponed.

2009-08-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

Just a notice that Transgender Day Of Visibility here on PEI has been postponed until Thursday, August 13th. The rally will begin at Province House at 11:30AM. Thanks.

Transgender Day Of Visibility

2009-08-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

The second annual Transgendered Day Of Visibility is coming up. Join various community groups in a rally in front of Province House at 11:30 AM on Thursday, August 6th. Let's show our support for our Trans neighbors & friends.

For more information please contact Mark Hanlon at 940-6843 or info@aidspei.com .

There's room on the ARC for you too!

2009-07-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

The Abegweit Rainbow Collective is currently seeking interested parties to sit on their 2009-2011 board of directors. Board members are expected to volunteer their time for a minimum of three hours per week on duties ranging from attending board meetings, volunteering at social events, networking with peers and other social networks and being a supporter and positive voice for the LBGT community in Prince Edward Island.

Interested parties should submit, in writing, a detailed letter of interest, listing any special skills and interest in the LBGT community.

Submissions can be sent to info@arcofpei.com or at our new office location at 375 University Avenue, Unit 2 (AIDS PEI office).

Watch Your Drinks.

2009-07-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

This weekend at Peak's Quay in Charlottetown a young man was slipped a date rape drug. He claims it was an older gay gentleman who kept "hitting on him" that put it in his drink. Luckily he knew what to do and got away safely.

This happens more than you'd imagine, so it does pay to be prepared.

Here are some tips to help prevent being date raped.

* Avoid parties or groups where alcohol or drug use is excessive. Studies of date rape show that 75% of the date-rapists, and 55% of the victims, had been drinking or taking drugs before the rape occured.

* Avoid people who make you feel uncomfortable.

* If you're going to a party, establish a buddy system with a friend; watch out for each other.

* When you're leaving, don't announce that you're walking alone. Try to walk home with a friend or in groups.

* Don't give a whole bunch of information about yourself to a person you just met.

* People can't read you mind: if someone's doing something to you that you're not comfortable with, say "no."

* Always have some taxi money in your pockets in case you want to go home.

* Never walk home through deserted areas like parkland or railroad tracks.

* Do not hitchhike.

For more information click here.

Missed The Parade?

2009-07-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

Couldn't get the time off work? Don't live in Charlottetown? Have a different excuse as to why you weren't there? Don't worry. Luckily I was there with video camera in hand ready to capture it all for you.

Happy Pride Everyone!

Flag Raising

2009-07-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

Today in Charlottetown mayor Clifford Lee officially raised the Pride Flag high above (well, beside at least) City Hall for the entire city to see. I was happy to see so many from our GLBT community there to enjoy the ceremony.

CBC was also on hand to interview both Michael & Alana, so remember to watch Compass tonight.

And remember, if you weren't at the flag raising, you can still enjoy it by taking a drive (or walk) downtown along the corner of Kent & Queen.

Online article causes concern.

2009-07-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

The Guardian has posted an article about Gay Pride week on it's website. As usual there's plenty of people wishing us well and congratulating us on another year's work well done. There are also lots of people wishing us ... less than well let's say.

We have to remember though that everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if their opinion is utterly, utterly stupid. I'm talking to you D from PE.

If you want to read the article, head over to The Guardian's webpage by clicking here.

Kelly & The Kelly Girls Hit Charlottetown

2009-06-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

Kelly & The Kelly Girls are hitting Charlottetown on July 13th. Baba's Lounge to be exact. They're hoping to have a "queer heavy" crowd on hand. Come and join them for an evening of music and drinks. There's nothing better to do on a Monday night.

Kelly & The Kelly Girls
Website | Myspace | Facebook

Spread The Word

2009-06-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

ARC is asking everyone to help out by spreading the word about the fabulous dance party planned for PRIDE this year. The goal: 500 people.

You see the more people that show up the bigger the event gets. The bigger the event gets the more funding ARC receives to make PRIDE even better next year. Trust me, this is a good thing.

Please take a couple of minutes to tell your friends about the POWER PARTY on July 11th. Send emails to friends off Island harassing them to join our celebration. Do everything you can to help make our PRIDE the best in Atlantic Canada.

Parade Volunteers Needed.

2009-06-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

ARC is looking for volunteers to be on their float in this years Parade. The float's theme is Everyday People. They're looking for people to dress up as a doctor, judge, nurse, military, navy, fire personnel, police, construction worker, hockey player, baseball player, etc.

Contact Micheal at michaeldoiron@eastlink.ca

There's a 20 spot maximum, so contact now to ensure your spot.

Show Us Your Pride

2009-06-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

With Pride only a few short weeks away (Does everyone know where their rainbow flag is?) I thought it would be fun if you sent in your best pictures showing how much PRIDE you have. The best will be posted here for everyone to see.

Send Pride pics here:
everythinggaypei@gmail.com

... and please keep it PG ;)

Sign Up for the Coffee House.

2009-06-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

There are still a few spots available for performers at this year's Open Mic Coffee House @ Beanz. Contact Michael Walsh to sign up.
Email: info@arcofpei.com

New Home

2009-06-07T15:15:00.001-07:00

Everything Gay PEI has a new home, a new layout, and a new format. Check back often for new content.