Proud! Out Loud! Award Winners - 2005

The 2005 winners of the GayVancouver.Net (Gay Vancouver Online) Proud! Out Loud! Website of the Week. Our award highlights some great websites in Vancouver and around the world.

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Our 2005 Award Winners

A province-wide coalition with the aim of building connections between individuals and groups working on trans issues, Trans Alliance Society is a great jumping off point for resources, education, support and services for the transgendered community in Vancouver and British Columbia.

One of Vancouver's best LGBT resources is The Centre. Offering everything from counselling services to a library to the provincial Prideline, The Centre has something for everyone whether you are just coming out or have been around the block a few times this is one resource you don't want to miss out on!

One aspect of aboriginal culture that we particularly like is the tolerance and understanding of gay/two-spirited people. One group that is helping even more is the Four Feathers Society. Billed as a tribe of aboriginal and non-aboriginal men who self-identify as gay or two-spirited the Society provides a spiritual community for marginalized gay/two-spirited men.

We have always maintained that one of the best things about the gay community is there is something out there for everyone. Asians and Friends Vancouver is another great example of this - offering a social outlet for gay Asians and their admirers here in Vancouver (and links to similar groups in other cities as well).

No ribald Lesbian jokes here designed to ridicule or satisfy some strange straight men fantasy. Lesbians Come Out Laughing is an interesting gathering place for Lesbians to connect through laughter.

A social group for Filipina Lesbians and their friends, Lezinplay Vancouver offers a social and recreational outlet for women in Vancouver.

We've given our award to a number of drag queens over the years but not very made drag kings. We want to change that by recognizing Cord Long based in Detroit.

The world-wide Primetimers organization has over 50 chapters around the world, the not least of which is the Vancouver Primetimers group. Offering mature (35+) gay and bisexual men, with opportunities to come together in a supportive atmosphere to enjoy social, educational, and recreational activities this is definitely a group worth checking out.

We normally take a pretty neutral view of politicians here at GayVancouver.Net but we're making a bit of an exception this time round with Mark Gueffroy for Parks Board for his sure moxie in running as an independent in the upcoming City election.

It's been a while since we highlighted one of those home-grown queer sites featuring resources, graphics and the ubiquitous Cafe Press web store. We liked Shaded in Purple not only because it harkened back to a gentler time on the internet but also because we couldn't resist the Queer Kitty t-shirts and mugs!

Summer is almost over and it it time to head back to school. For some, university can mean their first foray into the gay community and the support groups like UVic Pride at the University of Victoria can be invaluable.

Growing up gay in the 'burbs is not always the easiest thing to do but the internet helped to change that by providing resources at the click of a mouse for like-minded people in the a particular area. Abbotsford Gay Men is one of those resources - it is just starting but once word gets out it could prove to be a valuable resource for the gay community in the Valley.

We know with the current great weather we're experiencing in Vancouver right now the thoughts of warmer climates is not really at the top of everyone's minds these days but believe us when we say winter is never far away. A great place to plan that Mexican vacation in the fall/winter, Gay Mexico is your one-stop shop for everything gay in one of our favourite countries. Tequila anyone?

Did you know that along with Vancouver's regular Pride celebrations the Lesbian community is hosting it's own Vancouver Dyke March and Festival on July 30th?

This "official fansite of Charlie David", Charlie Wood is one of the finest pieces of Flash websites that we have come across in a long time. Born in Regina and now living in Vancouver, Charlie David has been a host for E! Television, SpyTV and most recently the host of Crash Test Mommy on the Life Network. An out gay man in television, David recently appeared on the cover of Genre magazine.

Now that Bill C-38 is a reality in this country we thought it worthwhile to highlight one of the many sites which has worked tirelessly to bring this important issue to the forefront of our community - Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples.

One of the few sports we were ever good at growing up (or at least could fake it well) was volleyball. And that is one reason we like the Vancouver Gay Volleyball Association (VGVA). But the best part of the VGVA is the various divisions from the recreational side (never picked up a volleyball before) to the three levels of competitive divisions. Now there are never any fears of getting involved in a competitive league when you're only out for some fun and exercise (or vice versa)!

Broadcasting from Vancouver to the world, Radiogay.ca is live to air every day from 6 to 8pm (Pacific time). Stop by and have a listen!

Our friends in our provincial capital are alive and well! After a hiatus, the newly re-formed Victoria Pride Society is back up and running with Victoria Pride scheduled for July 26 through July 3rd. Check out the site and be sure to plan your visit!

A diverse group of Kings and Kittens (a new word for us), The DramaKings of Southern Florida are gender benders that not only reach out to the GLBT community via its performances but through its website as well.

We've always liked personal web sites - especially those that are current AND relevant. This week we recognize the personal web space of a local software developer at NPDemers.Net. Not only is the site current but the section on queer history at SFU makes for very interesting reading!

We love square dancing and we particularly love Squares Across the Border. Established in 1983 this group was the first of its kind in Canada and continues to celebrate not only teaches square dancing but also hosts dances and "fly-ins" with participants from around North America.

Who knew that gay life was so vibrant in Belfast!? We didn't until we came across Gay Belfast. Part political, part tour guide, this site has it all for visitors to and residents of Belfast! Well worth a visit if you're planning a trip to the Emerald Isle!

We are asked on a regular basis to expand our coverage beyond the Greater Vancouver and Lower Mainland area. Because of our desire to focus on this area of the Province we have chosen not to do so. Besides, with sites like Queer BC around, the communities outside Vancouver are already well-served. A great resource for people outside Vancouver it is well worth a visit!

This week we feature Gayway!, Vancouver's gay men's "resource exchange" helping to facilitate the exchange of information, support, experience and friendship amongst gay men living in Vancouver. They have some great workshops and all kinds of social/support groups. Well worth a visit to check out what they have to offer.

We at GayVancouver.Net have a special affinity for bears and when we heard about Vancubz we got excited. Okay, not excited in THAT way but excited to find out there was a group for bears and bear cubs in the 18-35 age group. With their upcoming "Bear Bounce" party we definitely think you should check them out!

Vancouver's very own gay and lesbian golf league, Out On The Green provides golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to golf together at scheduled events and to meet other gay and lesbian golfers in the Vancouver area. Just in time for the new golf season be sure to check them out!

Serving the LGBT community, including students, staff and faculty, at the University of British Columbia is Pride UBC. Offering support, education and social services to the community at UBC, the group also organizes the hugely popular OutWeek each February.

Do you like the great outdoors? Looking to commune a bit more with nature? Looking to meet like-minded gay men & women? Out Camping BC is a great place to start. Like the Outskirts Social Group below, they bill themselves as providing an alternative to the bar scene and an opportunity to socialize in a healthy & safe way.

A new gay and bisexual men's group, Outskirts Social Group proves there is life outside the big city! Billed as a positive alternative to the bar/downtown gay community scene, the group has been formed for men living on the "outskirts" of Vancouver looking to socialize.

With the recent demise of the NHL season we could think of no better recipient than Vancouver's very own Cutting Edges hockey team. Not only do they play some truly fine hockey but the group provides a friendly, fun environment for gay and gay friendly hockey players to participate on competitive teams in recreational leagues in the Vancouver and in tournaments around the world.

We love a man in leather! Well, okay, we love men in leather, jeans, a suit, gym shorts, pyjamas, underwear, naked. You get the idea - we love men! But the Vancouver Men in Leather is so much more than eye candy. It is about celebrating and living and a lifestyle.

These days there is a coloured ribbon for every illness, cause and awareness campaign. The latest twist are the wristbands being offered by Enlightened Americans signifying you voted for John Kerry in the last U.S. election. While purchasers of the wristband wallow in self-pity, we're still trying to figure out an election system that would get George W elected in the first place!

QTV Gay News Magazine is a San Francisco based cable television program that also broadcasts on the internet. We're always on the look out for gay-positive messages in the media, regardless of where it originates, and QTV delivers.

We've been dreaming of the sun since winter started and what better place to find the sun than in the desert! Desert Daily Guide serves up loads of information on gay Palm Springs for those seeking a break from Old Man Winter!

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