Portfolio: News & Features
Bruce McArthur Wasn't the Village's First Killer
Xtra, April 1, 2019 Journalist Justin Ling has been doing terrific work on a horrible beat: investigating cases of murdered and missing gay men in Toronto, including the eight killed by Bruce McArthur. I interviewed Ling just prior to the launch of his podcast on CBC called Uncover: The Village. Link |
Queers Were Here
Biblioasis, June 2016 I wrote an essay about falling into the clutches of an outrageously irreverent troupe of drag queens when I was a neophyte gay. Part of a fascinating anthology exploring how queer culture is transmitted through personal connections. Other contributors includes Ian Young, Derek McCormack, Nic Sheehan, Karleen Pendleton-Jiménez, Alec Butler, Anne Fleming and Maurice Vellekoop; edited by Richard Gilmour and Robin Ganev. “An absorbing and emotional historical document.” Maisonneuve “There are flashes of greatness in this compendium.” Literary Review of Canada |
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HIV Criminalization & AIDS Advocacy
The Grid, Nov 27, 2013 I wrote a piece on Canada's draconian HIV disclosure laws and a timeline of AIDS advocacy in Toronto, as part of Sarah Liss's cover story on AIDS today. Link |
Common-law Breakers
In Toronto, March 2013 A big feature I wrote on the Supreme Court ruling in Eric v Lola and its troubling implications for 1.2 million Quebeckers... and for the nature of Confederation, itself. Story |
Franco Boni 'Sounds Off' on development
In Toronto, June 3013 My Q&A with Theatre Centre artistic director Franco Boni. Story |
The World Is Their Oyster
In Toronto, Dec 2012 My cover story on a couple who broke up after launching a small business together, the boutique travel agency Out Adventures. Story |
Canada's Megawatt Cheerleader
In Toronto, July 2012 I interviewed Mark Tewksbury prior to his departure for London as chef de mission of the Canadian Olympic team. Story |
Remembering Jack Layton
In Toronto, Sep 2011 Michael Pihach and I co-wrote this tribute to Jack Layton. PDF |
Remedial Class
In Toronto, July 2011 In the wake of a controversial story in The Grid, the community acts up and speaks out in my Pride issue main feature. Our wonderful satirical cover, mimicking The Grid's cover, was shot by David Hawe. PDF |
African Success Story?
In Toronto, Oct 2010 Upending ideas about charity... my feature on the Stephen Lewis Foundation's amazing work battling AIDS in Africa. Story |
The Giants
Report on Business Magazine, Apr 2002 This wide-ranging business feature on Canadian ports was illustrated by celebrated photographer Edward Burtynsky (he won an award for it). PDF |
Island Toronto
Xtra, Aug 12, 2009 A thought piece on Toronto's diversity and tolerance refracted through my favourite summer hangout, Bill's Beach House Bar on Centre Island. Story |
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Recalling Toronto's Forgotten Gay Bars
Xtra, Jan 4, 2010 Torontonians remember long-gone bars and hangouts — crucial locales for the community emerging in the mid-20th century. Story |
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Animal Trainer Myrna Betts
Go Big, May 2000 At the Cambridge, Ontario home of Myrna Betts, Gloria Cameron, Busy, Fancy, Echo, Magic, Cody, Levi, Tess and Dot. PDF |
Censorship Proposal an 'Absolute Catastrophe'
Xtra, Mar 22, 2008 David Cronenberg and others weigh in on Bill C-10 in my news story from 2008. Story |