Vancouver, BC - January 27, 2010 -
The
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are coming to Whistler & Vancouver and
for the first time in Olympic history there will be a venue available to our
Gay & Lesbian athletes, coaches, family, friends and allies. A venue we call - PRIDE House.
The Vancouver Queer Film
Festival is proud to
partner with PRIDE House to present several film and media based initiatives to
coincide with the 2010 Cultural Olympiad. The Pride House Film Series will be
hosted by Canadian Olympic gold medalist and out - gay activist Mark Tewskbury and it will feature two
nights of engaging cinema that promotes LGBT visibility in sport and focuses on
international human rights. A panel discussion will follow each screening and
will provide audiences with the opportunity to contribute their voices and
interact with invited out athletes, filmmakers and community activists. You can
follow the Pride House Film Series activities through the coverage provided by
the BigGayMovie crew.
"The Vancouver Queer Film Festival has actively
been promoting the advancement of LGBT communities, cultures and creativity for
several decades in BC and we are excited to partner with PRIDE House and share Canada's
support for human rights with the world," explains Ross Johnston, Director of
Youth Outreach. The PRIDE house Film Series will feature two
nights of double bills which include powerful, award winning queer documentaries
focused on athletes, discrimination and the celebration of LGBT lives.
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February 23rd - Training Rules Presented by CAAWS
On February 23rd experience an intense, fast
paced action in Training Rules -
presented by the Canadian Association for the Advance of Women and Sport and
Physical Activity (CAAWS). The film
uncovers how the lives of many young female athletes are destroyed by the
intensely homophobic climate in US
female college basketball, and in sport at large. But first, discover the
blatant sexism inherent within the European woman's professional boxing
circuit, through the story of Michele Aboro, an out-lesbian championship boxer who's
male promoters deem as 'un-promotable' in A
Knock Out. Panel discussions to follow are presented by the Canadian
Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity
(CAAWS). A reception will follow the film and panel.
Feb. 23, 2010
6.30PM Doors Open
7.00PM A Knock Out (Rated PG)
8.30PM Training Rules (Rated G)
Pacific Cinematheque. 1131 Howe St.
Presented by: CAAWS
Host: Mark Tewksbury &
Jennifer Birch-Jones of CAAWS
Panel and Reception
to follow
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February 25th - Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride Presented by: PFLAG Canada
On February 25th we are proud to show this
city's premiere of Vancouver made Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride,
presented by PFLAG Canada. The documentary examines the growing
popularity of Pride events around the globe and how these celebrations
intersect with the human rights and social fabric of their local LGBT
communities. Winner of the jury prize
for best documentary at Montreal's Image
+ Nation Festival, this is the Vancouver premiere of Beyond Gay and the panel to follow will focus on international LGBT
rights and timed perfectly for when the world is gathered in Vancouver! Panelists
include the filmmakers, and local and international GLBT activists.
Feb. 25, 2010
6.30PM Doors Open
7.00PM Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride (Rated PG)
Pacific
Cinematheque, 1131 Howe St.
Presented by: PFLAG Canada
Host: Mark Tewksbury
Filmmakers in Attendance
Panel and Reception
to follow
Tickets
Feb.23rd $10 & limited # under employed tickets also available for $5
Feb.25th $15
Buy online
at gaywhistler.com
or at Little Sisters, 1238 Davie St, Vancouver
PRIDE House will be open from February
8, 2010 through to March 21, 2010 and will take in three incredible
events: The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
(Feb. 12-28); WinterPRIDE in Whistler (Mar. 1-8); and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics (Mar. 12-21).
The 42-day PRIDE House celebrations has full event listings for both Vancouver and Whistler at www.pridehouse.ca.
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* High Resolution images available upon request
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PRIDE House Whistler 
PRIDE House is located in the centre of Whistler Village at the award winning boutique hotel of Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre. PRIDE House will be a hip lounge with a cocktail bar with HDTV monitors to watch the Olympics, hang out, trade pins, a Speakers Chalet to record and share your stories, and a venue to just have fun. PRIDE House will be open from February 8th through to March 21st. The hours of operation are scheduled from 10AM to 10PM daily. (Subject to Change) For more information please refer to www.pridehouse.ca WinterPRIDE 2010 runs from March 1-8, 2010, and continues to revolutionize the traditional gay ski week format with its unique blend of four winter festival elements: Sports, Culinary, Health and Wellness, and Entertainment. In addition to the world-class skiing and snowboarding being offered in Whistler, many of WinterPRIDE's 2009 highlights will return for 2010, such as an array of dance parties, culinary events, zip trekking and dog sledding. WinterPRIDE 2010 also offers an expanded program of on-and-off mountain events, including special events for lesbians and bears. |
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PRIDE House Vancouver
Situated at Qmunity- BC's Queer Resource Centre at 1170 Bute Street, will be
the operational hub for Pride House 2010 where LGTB resources and information on
immigration, social services and workshops will be available. Open Feb. 11th -
Mar. 21st 10AM-7PM daily PRIDE House Vancouver - Celebration VenueSituated in the heart of Davie Street within the Gay Village
- Score on Davie (1262 Davie Street)
is the primary celebration Venue for Pride House Vancouver. Free Wi-Fi,
huge HDTVs to watch the Olympics, special exhibition of Jeff Sheng's
"Fearless" photo exhibit showcasing Out Athletes. Open Feb. 1st - Mar. 21st 10AM-2AM daily |
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About CAAWS
CAAWS's ( www.caaws.ca) mission is to provide leadership and
education, and build capacity to foster equitable support, diverse
opportunities and positive experiences for girls and women in sport and
physical activity.
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About PFLAG Canada
PFLAG Canada (www.pflagcanada.ca) is Canada's only national organization that helps all Canadians who are struggling with issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. PFLAG Canada supports, educates and provides resources to parents, families, friends and colleagues with questions or concerns, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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About Alpenglow Productions/GayWhistler
GayWhistler ( www.gaywhistler.com) is a year-round promoter of Whistler to the gay and lesbian community, and promotes and produces the annual Gay Ski Week. GayWhistler is a subsidiary of Alpenglow Production Corporation. |
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Alpenglow Productions/GayWhistler
Dean Nelson
CEO - Community & Media Relations
Executive Producer - Pride House
T: +1.604.288.7218
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