An unexpected gift for Qmunity and PRIDE house

There have been so many wonderful things happening at PRIDE house over the last 2 weeks, it is tough to keep track of them all. We just found out that author Andrew Binks donated several copies of his first novel, the Summer Between, to the Qmunity library. He cited the creation of the first ever PRIDE house as the reason for the donation and we were more than happy to accept.

The Summer Between is a classic queer coming of age story that has gotten rave reviews from both the queer and mainstream press. Amazon.ca is almost out of copies if you want to pick one up, but you won't need to if you live in the Lower Mainland. Come by PRIDE house/Qmunity to read one of the donated copies today!

Get ready for movie night at the Pacific Cinematheque

Come one, come all to the Pacific Cinematheque on February 23 for a queer double feature. Catch two films, A Knock Out at 7pm and Training Rules at 830. There will be a panel discussion with Mark Tewksbury & Jennifer Birch-Jones of CAAWS. Tickets are available at Little Sisters and at the door. Don't miss this wonderful chance to see two great films for just $10!

For more information, please visit:

http://www.pridehouse.ca/Vancouver/MovieNights/TrainingRulesFebruary23/tabid/96/Default.aspx

Super Sunday at PRIDE house!

Today is the day many Canadian sports fans have been looking forward to: the showdown between the USA & Canada. Things sure are busy here at PRIDE house Vancouver. We have artist Jeff Sheng coming in at 2pm to talk about his fantastic Fearless photo exhibit and we all know what's happening at 4. We've got ski cross on at the moment and the lobby is filled with cheering fans from all over Canada and the world. Don't miss the spirit here at PRIDE house!

A special visitor comes to PRIDE house

Everyone knows the Curve Magazine is one of the most popular queer publications around, and one of the most popular parts of Curve is the dual advice column written by Lipstick & Dipstick. Gina Daggett, aka Lipstick, came by PRIDE house on Saturday, much to the delight of several visitors who were in attendance. The cameras came out and laughs were had. It was a wonderful scene and one that will resonate with me for a long time to come. If you are looking for something to do in Vancouver over the next week, don't forget PRIDE house!

The Olympic Torch comes to Vancouver PRIDE house

What an amazing day at PRIDE house. Angus Praught came by and brought the Olympic torch he carried with him. We had a line down the hallway of folks who wanted their picture taken and everyone was kind enough to donate a few bucks to help make Qmunity and PRIDE house the best it can be. I have to say, my pulse quickened when I took the torch in my hand. It was an incredible moment and I want to thank everyone who stepped up and volunteered today and everyone who worked round the clock at Qmunity and PRIDE house for making it such a wonderful place.

Hooray!



Video of the torch visiting PRIDE house: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPuFwL8Kco

Torch day at PRIDE house Vancouver

Today is a big day at PRIDE house Vancouver. You can get your picture taken with the Olympic torch carried by Angus Praught (president of Gayvan.com)! All we ask is a small donation that will help to make PRIDE house and Qmunity a better place. Come one, come all for a chance you may never have again!

Meet and Greet with out gay recording artist Matthew David!!

The events at PRIDE House Vancouver keep on coming! Not only do we have an amazing opportunity on Wednesday from 3-4 to get your picture taken with the Olympic torch, and a torch runner, but now we also have a meet and greet with fabulous queer recording artist Matthew David!

Matthew will be in on Saturday from 3-4 and will be performing! For more on David, visit David's site and for more on his visit to PRIDE House Vancouver, see: the PRIDE house site.

PRIDE House Vancouver is the place to be for all of your Olympic fun!

Pridehouse.ca!

PRIDE House shines on this beautiful day

The weather is perfect and the forecast is calling for a string of perfect days that are going to showcase Vancouver like never before. If you are anywhere in the Lower Mainland, head to PRIDE House Wednesday between 4-5 to get your picture taken with the Olympic torch.

For a small donation, you can have your picture taken with the torch, too. This is a chance to be your very own Olympic champion and help Qmunity and PRIDE House at the same time.

Don't miss it, and keep your eyes peeled for more events as the week progresses!

Marion Lay epitomizes the PRIDE House spirit

For something like PRIDE House to happen, the hard work and dedication of many individuals is necessary. We need a house full of volunteers and we need visionaries who have fought the battles and won.

A perfect example of that is Marion Lay. She is a member of the steering committee that helped to make PRIDE House a reality and she is also a medal-winning Olympian. She competed in two Olympics and she knows what it is like to have to hide your sexuality. She serves as an inspiration to all of us who have made PRIDE House part of our lives and we're thankful to have her insight and unique perspective each and every day. While no athletes have come out during these games, they all know that there is a vibrant queer presence here in Vancouver and that's what PRIDE House is all about!

A night I'll never forget....

As Canada brought home its first gold tonight, PRIDE House was full of folks cheering and hoping. All Sunday night, the crowd coming in and out of PRIDE House was smiling and happy. It was really quite a moving experience.

Over the next week, we'll take a look at PRIDE House Steering committee member Marion Lay, a Canadian bronze medallist and two-time Olympian, as well as other issues in the queer community. Feedback is always welcome and we hope to see you in PRIDE House here in Vancouver or up in Whistler.

The sun shines on PRIDE House

It is difficult to put into words how much fun it has been being a part of the PRIDE House team. We've had a steady stream of people coming in from all over the world, and they all have one thing in common: they're smiling!

For those of us lucky enough to live in Vancouver, having a place like this is something many of us take for granted. What I've learned is that not everyone is lucky enough to live in such an open and accepting place. PRIDE House stands for open, accepting fun for the whole "family" and we're proud to be here! If you've got time on your hands, come spend it at PRIDE House!

PRIDE House is ALIVE with activity!

PRIDE House in Vancouver is a hub of activity this afternoon. We've had media from all over the world and fans of the games stopping by to see what all of the fuss is about. We've even had a good number of locals come by, as well.

If you're in the area, stop by PRIDE House to see history in the making. We're a one of a kind inclusive spot for anyone and everyone to come by and enjoy these two weeks. Celebrate life, celebrate PRIDE House!

What a morning in Vancouver!

As we wake from the opening ceremonies, we find the city filled with protests and other issues. Don't let the poroblems get you down, this can still be a fantastic party that we're all proud of. The doors of PRIDE House are wide open and so are our minds.

PRIDE House is open till 7pm today and there is a full staff of volunteers here ready to make you feel welcome. Come in, watch some events and take a load off. We have coffee, water and snacks at the ready.

Don't forget to get some PRIDE House pins while you're here. They are the HOTTEST pins going and there are only 500 of them TOTAL! Only $5! We also have beautifully made shirts and other souvineers, too. Come get a piece of history here at PRIDE House Vancouver!

The first full day at PRIDE House Vancouver!

Yesterday was a day to remember as we made history here at PRIDE House Vancouver. Having an inclusive and welcoming spot for queer folks and their straight allies during the Olympics is absolutely groundbreaking. Here is to all of the volunteers and steering committee members that made it all possible! Yay!

If you haven't headed over to PRIDE House yet, what are you waiting for? We have a big screen with all of the events on, a welcoming atmosphere and the best volunteers in the whole city. PRIDE House aims to be your #1 destination for anything and everything Olympic.

We look forward to seeing you at PRIDE House Vancouver! GO CANADA!

PRIDE House is open for business!

What an incredible day here at PRIDE House Vancouver! The rain held off just long enough for our grand opening celebration to kick off and the crowd was HUGE. Media from all over Canada and from all over the world was present to witness the opening of the first ever PRIDE House associated with the Olympics.

We even had a significant number of local and national politicians in attendance showing their support for PRIDE House. If you are anywhere near Vancouver, make it your mission to come on out and experience what an amazing place PRIDE House is.

PRIDE house Whistler opens with a party

With 40 people in attendence, PRIDE house Whistler held its Grand Opening last night. Aboriginal spiritual leader Sandra LaFramboise opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony with a blessing. Then there were speeches from, among other people, Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed, gay provincial politician Spencer Herbert and Pride House organizer Dean Nelson. - February 9, 2010 read all about it ...