This December marks the ten-year anniversary of Queer As Folk, the game-changing gay television series that concluded in 2005.

The Showtime remake of the BBC hit followed the lives and loves of gay Pittsburgh pals featured hilarious mishaps, super graphic sex scenes, and a whole lot of real heart.

Find out what stars Gale Harold, Hal Sparks, Randy Harrison, and the rest of the cast have all been up to since then.

TVSquad.com catches us up on where we’ve seen our favorite Folks on TV lately:

Gale Harold
‘Brian Kinney‘
Super sexy ad exec Brian was concerned with himself, his BFF Michael and sleeping with as many people as possible until he met, and eventually fell in love with, the younger Justin, even though the two didn’t end up together in the series finale. Harold, whose first major role was ‘Queer as Folk’ (he didn’t start acting until he was 28), followed up the series with memorable guest appearances on ‘The Unit,’ ‘Deadwood’ (playing Wyatt Earp) and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (where he played a white supremacist paramedic), and the lead role in the short-lived Fox drama ‘Vanished,’ where his character was killed off before the series ended. He also played Teri Hatcher’s love interest on ‘Desperate Housewives,’ until a serious motorcycle accident derailed what was scheduled to be a more pivotal role, and currently, he plays law professor Julian Parrish on The CW series ‘Hellcats.’

Randy Harrison
‘Justin Taylor‘
Sweet Justin — Michael’s mom calls him “Sunshine” for his ever-present smile and cheery outlook — slept with and fell in love with Brian during Justin’s senior year of high school, and their on-again, off-again relationship, as well as the very talented Justin’s art pursuits, marked most of his time on the show. Post-’QAF,’ which was his first TV role, Harrison starred in the made-for-TV movie adaptation of the play ‘Bang Bang You’re Dead,’ about school bullying, and has been very active in New York theater, including playing Boq in ‘Wicked.’ He also appeared earlier this year at a ‘Queer As Folk’/'The L Word’ convention in Paris.

Hal Sparks
‘Michael Novotny‘
Brian’s BFF since they were kids, Michael also not-so-secretly is in love with Brian, who values their friendship too much to date Michael. Michael, a retail manager who eventually realizes his dream of opening his own comic book shop, also eventually collaborates on a comic with Justin, and marries boyfriend Ben, with whom he adopts teenage Hunter. Sparks, a comedian who was best known as the post-Greg Kinnear and John Henson host of E!’s ‘Talk Soup’ before ‘Queer as Folk,’ followed his dramatic role with several reality TV appearances. He hosted The WB kids game show ‘Survival of the Richest,’ was a contestant himself on ‘Celebrity Duets’ and ‘Celebracadabra,’ and played himself in the video for Fall Out Boy’s cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It.’ He also starred in a Showtime stand up special, ‘Hal Sparks: Charmageddon,’ earlier this year, is a member of the rock band Zero1 and interacts with fans via Twitter and his official Website.

Get reacquainted with the rest of the Queer As Folks cast, including Sharon Gless, Peter Paige, Scott Lowell, Thea Gill, Michelle Clunie, Robert Gant, Jack Wetherall, and Dean Armstrong on TVSquad.com’s complete catch up.

Winter will soon be upon us! I know this because a) the calendar tells me so, and b)so does the Halifax Harbour. The coldness that stems from the harbour is absolutely FREEZING. I miss summer and the cool breeze the Halifax harbour brought then.

BUT on the bright side, the Halifax Pop Explosion is currently underway with many acts floating throughout Halifax. Among the acts tonight, Japanther plays at The Seahorse , Two Hours Traffic at Coconut Grove and MSTRKRFT at the Palace! Also, Dan Mangan plays tonight at the Company House, CoHo. I never heard any of Dan Mangan’s songs until this evening, he’s really worth checking out!

For my next blog: A focus on a born and bred Halifax band-there are so many to choose from! AND Tegan and Sara have released tour dates including Halifax. I already have my ticket, do you?! They’re already sold out! Stay tuned to find out whether they decide to add a second show!

Happy Friday,
Melissa

Why I Support the LGBTQQ Community So Strongly
By: Autumn Alston (twitter: @glambert2038)

I am heterosexual. I am also a biracial female. I, therefore, am far from being oblivious to the reality of discrimination and oppression. At the National Equality March in DC, many chants were uttered; one of my favorites being, “gay, straight, black, white, same struggle, same fight.” That statement spoke volumes to me. While prejudice can conjure from the minds and souls of anyone and discrimination can manifest itself in a multitudinous amount of ways, if the feeling of second class citizenry encompasses our being, we are all in the same struggle; the struggle for equality.

It’s important to note that fashion can be a wonderful thing. The fashion Lady Gaga sings about; as in the kind Alexander McQueen so uniquely creates. Fashion, as in “that’s fashionable” or trendy, is NOT so cool all of the time. It seems to me, that often heterosexuals (mainly women) believe it to be cool to “support” the LGBT community. But by support, what does one mean? I do not “support” gay rights because my gay guy friends are fun to go clubbing with or because my lesbian friends always “got my back.” Many of these same people will say that they support gay marriage, for instance, but I am curious to indulge them even further. I have found that quite a lot of them say they “do not care” or “if someone wants to marry someone of the same sex, it’s not my business; whatever.” Well, that person surely isn’t homophobic, no, but that is not enough. Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel says, “the opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” I could rather easily sit idle on this planet, but that is substandard to the expectations I have bestowed upon my conscience.  For indifference never rendered freedom nor equality, and it never will.

There are many social pressures that could lead a heterosexual astray from the concerns of the queer community. But is not the scorn of a few closed-minded people worth the bliss that can come from knowing you helped a cause which goes beyond the direct benefit of ones’ self? I have no direct stake in fighting for the cause of the LGBTQQ community, however, when I recognize the often egregiously inhumane practices and laws that our country sanctions, I am enticed to keep on fighting; second glances or questioning from some, pails in comparison to the importance of justice. The straight community needs to be just as involved in LGBTQQ issues as LGBTQQ people themselves. We may have one obvious difference in that which is our lives, but it’s the love and yearning for equality that binds us together. If Russell Arthur Henderson and Aaron James McKinney carried with them move tolerance and love, instead of a distorted perception of the aberrant nature of LGBTQQ people in general, Matthew Shepard might still be alive with us today; his shine replacing the despair of the water droplets that must fall, each night, on the pillow of a mother in unnecessary mourning. We can help out communities for which we are not a part. That represents true will for correcting society’s wrongs. Was not the stance for righteousness taken by the white civil rights leaders granted glorious in the moral tablet of history?

I am absolutely NO Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but I too have a dream; where our LGBTQQ brethren can live freely and experience the overarching value of love on which our country is supposed to depend. I do not feel like my support for these issues is a “waste of time”; I do not care if I am “gay by association.” The ongoing struggle for a nation devoid of discrimination and hatred is a tedious road to walk, but the weathered shoes from an activist’ foot is more valuable than the Devil’s Prada. In closing, I want to say that I love the queer community and I am proud to call you all my brothers and sisters. As long as inequality and prejudice persist in our society, we will always be plagued by hypocrisy. We must replace hate with love, neglect being odious and become benignant, and only in these humble wishes, can equality and justice prevail. Until this dream becomes reality, I will not rest.

I really enjoy alliteration, so I decided to use that technique in the title. You’re welcome.

And also, for this blog I decided to use proper capitalization. Again, you’re welcome. It’s been almost a month since my last post and if you had of asked me that particular question yesterday I would have guessed two weeks. Time is absolutely flying here on the east coast-concerts are coming and going, so are art and film festivals. Recently, the Atlantic Film Festival wrapped up and it was a huge success! I can’t wait for it to return again next fall. Also, this past Saturday “Nocturne” was presented in the streets of Halifax, and that too was a big success with many art lovers turning out to support the one of a kind event. It’s such an amazing thing to see the tiny but mighty city of Halifax churning out such great events that draw large crowds!

However being that Halloween is getting closer and closer I decided to mention briefly that everyone should check out (if they can) the haunted house located in Dartmouth at Alderney Landing. A classmate of mine went through with a camera to collect footage, and I had the privilege of reviewing it and let’s just say that there is a)a lot of screaming and b) a lot of clowns. It’s worth checking out! $7/door!

Melissa

OUTtv is proud to sponsor this year’s Reel Pride Film Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba starting today, October 13th to 17th.

The Reel Pride Film Festival is celebrating it’s 16th year as a LGBT film festival, produced by the Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society, the festival will bring over 20 films including a juried short film competition which kicks off this year’s festivities.

Famed director, Ron Oliver, will be in attendance for Reel Pride 2009.  The director of On the Other Hand, Death and Ice Blues will be available for a question and answer session after the film screenings.

Ice Blues will premiere on Tuesday, October 13th and On the Other Hand, Death on Thursday, October 15th.  For full schedule information CLICK HERE or DOWNLOAD the program.

+ Join Reel Pride Film Festival Facebook group
+ Follow Reel Pride Film Festival on twitter

Show us your Pride and VOTE for this year’s top video and photo!

After hundreds of videos and photos were submitted for this year’s Show Us Your Pride contest sponsored by VIA Rail Canada, only five finalists in each category were selected for the chance to win the grand prize.

The five video finalists are:

Gay Pride 2 by Brian Long
Steve’s “Show my Pride” by Steve St Jean
Port Alberni Pride Ride by GayFilms
Cali Pride… by Adam Rollins
Sexy Bitch by MollywoodToronto

The five photo finalists are:

Other half of my rainbow by Amy Godin
Relaxing by Amy Godin
Untitled by Ima Ortega
Untitled by Cindy Miller
AIDS Awareness, Ottawa by Kevin Gurr

Check out all of the finalists and vote for your favorite video and photo now, simply visit http://www.outtv.ca/pridecontest.php and click on the entry you like best!  Voting ends November 30th 2009.

HAVE FUN!!!

PS: share this w/ ur friends ))

The 22nd edition of Montreal’s Image + Nation queer film fest has bumped up its dates from November to a delightfully ghoulish October. Read the full scoop at xtra.ca and in this month’s Outlooks Magazine at outlooks.ca

Howl-o boils and ghouls! Chris & John here with our VERY first OUTtv blog and we couldn’t be more spook-cited.  In case you couldn’t tell, we’re very horror-pun-happy these days. Why, you ask? Well because we’re about to launch a brand new series this month on OUTtv, “Chris & John’s Halloween Superstar!”

What’s the dill with Halloween Superstar? It’s a 4 part reality competition series airing every Friday, starting next week, October 9^th, at 8:30 EST. Six uber-fans of Halloween from across North America compete in a series of grueling challenges designed to test their love of the ‘gay holy holiday’. The series was shot in Salem, Massachusetts, home of the infamous 1692 Witch Trials, and current Halloween capital of the world. *Channels Tyra* At stake for the winner, a featured article in Fangoria Magazine, a horror hosting gig on OUTtv, the contents of a mystery box and, of course, the title of Chris & John’s Halloween Superstar!

JUST LAUNCHED is the HalloweenSuperstar.com website, which we suggest y’all check out for FANGtastic features, including exclusive videos, up-to-the-minute news and everything you need to know about the series. HalloweenSuperstar.com

Are we excited for the launch? DOES A CHICKEN HAVE A PECKER? Halloween is gay Christmas, so you can only imagine how much fun we’re having with this new series. So much more to come, we’ll pop in to say “boo!” shortly with another OUTtv blog to keep y’all in the loop!

FOLLOW Halloween Superstar on Facebook HERE

AND JOIN our OUTtv Socialize Group HERE

SinFEARly,

Chris & John
Ghost-hosts with the most

Countdown to Halloween with Chris & John! Share the widget!

OUTtv is proud to announce the inclusion of The Shaun Proulx Show to it’s lineup.  As the star of the acclaimed Shaun Proulx Show on Proud FM, Shaun makes the afternoon drive shine.

Starting Thursday October 1st, at 7:30 pm ET/PT OUTtv brings Shaun and his radio world to the Network, and we can’t wait.  Featuring all the juicy details on todays hottest stars including blockbuster interviews with Liza Minelli, Lynda Carter, and Vanessa Williams, shockers like the interviews with both Tori and Candi Spelling and everything Top Model with Canada’s voice of fashion Jeanne Beker.

The show also features weekly viewer polls, Shaun’s bitting personality in his weekly rant and torridly candid behind the scenes point of views with Shaun and his partner in comedy crime Mark Wigmore.

Read the Xtra article on The Shaun Proulx Show

Join the Shaun Proulx Show Facebook Fanpage

Join the Shaun Proulx Show Community Group

Follow the Shaun Proulx Show on Twitter

Socialize@OUTtv, the first gay and lesbian television network social networking site, is a new online community created for the community to share what we’re proud of online!  Every week OUTtv will highlight the top videos and pics.

Check out some of this week’s talent:

Capital of Canada’s PRIDE PARADE 2009
posted by William D. Dupuis Kennedy, Ottawa, ON

Ottawa, the National Capital of Canada had it’s most colourful parade. The Rainbow flowed passed the National Library of Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada…

Watch the video:

Check out more of William’s videos and pics HERE

Protest Against Homophobia Lithuania
posted by Darius, Warszawa, Poland

Protest Against Homophobia Lithuania.

Watch the video:

Check out more of Darius’ videos HERE

Join the Socialize@OUTtv community and see MORE videos and pics from this year’s Pride across Canada.

Socialize@OUTtv, the first gay and lesbian television network social networking site, is a new online community created for the community to share what we’re proud of online!  Every week OUTtv will highlight the top videos and pics.

Check out some of this week’s talent:

Ottawa Pride
posted by Amy Godin, Ottawa, ON

Relaxing (L) – View the pic
Other Half of my Rainbow (R) – View the pic

Check out more of Amy’s pics HERE

Ottawa Pride Bikers
posted by Perry Voulgaris, Toronto, ON

Ottawa Pride Bikers. View the pic

Check out more of Perry’s pics HERE

Join the Socialize@OUTtv community and see MORE videos and pics from this year’s Pride across Canada.

British Columbians are among the world’s most tolerant and accepting people based on a recent survey conducted by Angus Reid online and commissioned by Global TV.

BC and Ontario residents ranked highest among Canadians in the study:

Survey was conducted in August 2009 and online respondents were divided by age, gender and region – 1,006 Canadians, 1,002 Americans and 2,001 Britons.

Youth aged 18 to 34 – in all three countries were more accepting of same sex marriages than any other groups in the poll.

73% of Canadians, aged 18 to 34, said same-sex couples should continue to be allowed to legally marry.

55% of Canadians, aged 55 and older, favoured continuing the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Women were much more likely to approve of gay marriage.

Read more of the Angus Reid study HERE

Find more videos like this on OUTtv Socialize

Socialize@OUTtv, the first gay and lesbian television network social networking site, is a new online community created for the community to share what we’re proud of online!  Every week OUTtv will highlight the top videos and pics.

Check out some of this week’s talent:

Capital Pride Day in Ottawa, 2009
posted by Jim Stewart, Ottawa, ON

The nation’s capital has its Pride Day at the end of the summer, and it was a great way to end the season. Read more HERE.

Watch the video:

Check out more of Jim’s video HERE

Gay Pride 2
posted by Brian Long, Calgary, AB

Pride Calgary video.

Watch the video:

Find more videos like this on OUTtv Socialize

Check out more of Brian’s video HERE

Join the Socialize@OUTtv community and see MORE videos and pics from this year’s Pride across Canada.

greetings from the east!

i have just returned from my evening of work, and a school ‘gathering’ and decided that for my next post, it would be official that i talk about the theatres that halifax has to offer. the theatres that i’m going to suggest you visit on your next visit to halifax have something to please everyone!

neptune theatre:
this theatre, located on argyle street in downtown halifax is atlantic canada’s largest professional regional theatre. various acts a performed throughout the year, including original pieces and favorites such as peter pan. neptune is a traveling theatre, meaning some of the acts actually travel around and are performed at various places, such as school and universities. when i was in junior high we had a neptune performance in our gym, and an entire stage and set was assembled for our enjoyment.  neptune theatre is also known for their acting school, accepting and teaching the chosen students the art of acting.

halifax feast:
this one has the opportunity to be, in my opinion, an excellent date. dinner and a show. and i happen to have first hand knowledge that it is a nifty little experience.

bus stop theatre:
this quaint, moderately hidden and queer/queer friendly theatre is located in the heart of north end halifax. it showcases all of different kinds of art and acts that halifax has to offer, which of course, is many. nuff said. oh, and the name? it’s true, it’s right by a bus stop. adorableness.

with three different theatres with similiar goals (to entertain and show off halifax and the talent that is holds) you are bound to find something that you will enjoy!

chat soon, ciao!
melissa

Skyler Cooper, considered one of the most dynamic emerging talents in Hollywood, has been cast in the new reality show “Hell Bent For Hollywood.”

Although still in production, “Hellbent For Hollywood” is described as the first reality series that combines the excitement of “American Idol” with the competitive challenges of “Survivor” where a hundred actors cast from thousands, compete for their big Hollywood break.  The last actor standing could be the world’s next film and television star.

Cooper, a former competitive bodybuilder and robotics engineer, had served years in the US Navy prior to acting.  With years of training in both classical and contemporary theatre, Cooper performed with the bay area California Shakespeare company in the lead role of Othello.  Cooper is not only talented, she has a fresh and unique look about her that will captivate viewers on the new reality show.

“This is the chance of a lifetime,” said Cooper. “But what really motivates me to do my best is the chance to be a visible, positive role model for kids, particularly gay kids coming into their young adult lives. Something I wish I’d had growing up.”

Watch one of Skyler Cooper’s video trailers:

First Take Teaser

To vote for Skyler, go to HellbentForHollywood.com and vote for contestant #214.
 

OUTtv.ca’s Live Video Stream of Pride Calgary’s 2009 Pride Parade

OUTtv will broadcast Pride Calgary‘s 2009 Pride Parade live on Sunday, September 6th, 2009 on OUTtv.ca, Socialize@OUTtv.ca, and LiveStream.com/OUTtv. Web visitors will also be able to chat with others in real-time while viewing the event on the LiveStream.com/OUTtv video player.

The live OUTtv coverage will be hosted by Nelson Tome, OUTtv’s Ambassador Director, from the heart of Pride Calgary‘s Pride Parade with three cameras capturing the parade at various angles starting at 12pm MT/11am PT.

Additionally, OUTtv will replay Pride Calgary‘s entire 2009 Pride Parade coverage on Socialize@OUTtv, the network’s user-generated online community, inviting members of the community to share their thoughts about Pride Calgary‘s Pride Parade as well as an opportunity to submit and share their videos and photos.

For more information, visit: http://socialize.outtv.ca

greetings from the east coast, specifically halifax, or as i like to call it-halifornia

my name is melissa and i will be your ambassador for all things halifax. especially if they’re queer/queer friendly and even more especially if they involve halifax’s entertainment industry.

i look forward to bringing you an update or more a week on lots of different issues and topics-thereby hopefully sparking discussion and creating some excitement about halifax!

i realize perhaps maybe knowing me better will aid in a more trusting blogger/reader relationship so i’ve compiled a list (i like lists) of facts that may help you get to know me:

-i’m 5’8 and i have green eyes.
-i love chicken, water and oreo ice-cream.
-i really really REALLY dislike pickles, tomato soup and pb&j sandwiches.
-i taught swimming for four years.
-i prefer to wear flat shoes and a t-shirt looks better with a vest.
-my favorite television show is f.r.i.e.n.d.s!
-i believe in ghosts!
-sometimes i listen to music when i grocery shop.
-i consider my mom my best friend, still to this day!
-i can crack my shoulders.
-i write with all lowercase in situations like these, i am totally aware.

there, i now feel as though we’re friends! however we all know you’re only real friends once you’ve accepted a friend invite on one of the many social networking sites.

i look forward to hearing from you, until next time,

melissa

It’s a very interesting time here at OUTtv as our Summer production rush comes to a close and we move most of our projects into post production. For me, the most exciting of which is ‘Queer Prom.’ 

‘Queer Prom,’ is a small 3 part documentary series following the planning of a local Vancouver youth event. Every year The Centre and GAB Youth Services put on a queer prom for youth ages 13 to 25. This is the biggest of many community events the organization puts on for queer youth. It gives those graduating, or still in school the opportunity to experience one of life’s milestones as they’ve always imagined it. It is unfortunate that homophobia and intolerance still exist within our schools despite the best efforts of district wide GSA’s (Gay Straight Alliances). GAB Youth Services provides a safe place for queer youth to be themselves. This series documents the stories of the youth planning committee as they struggle through the ups and downs of pulling off the years biggest event. 

As we move into post I’m excited to be putting the pieces of this community story together! 

Hello everyone!

I am excited to announce an amazing new web partnership. Beginning this month, OUTtv is partnering with Xtra! to bring you the latest and greatest in current events web video’s. Beginning in Vancouver with Robin Perelle and Xtra! West, we are teaming up to bring you the latest coverage of everything queer happening in your community. Xtra! undoubtedly knows everything and everyone important and influential within the GLBT community and here at OUTtv we have the production capabilities to shoot a deliver high quality video’s right to your web browser. Together we are looking at the beginnings of quite a beautiful friendship.

You can check out our first video’s of Vancouver’s 20th Annual Queer Film Festival RIGHT NOW on our homepage at www.outtv.ca and on www.xtra.ca.

Are you planning an event you think is newsworthy? Send me an email at nicky@outtv.ca and tell me about it!

Until next time…