Friday, Nov 3
LMFAO with the Queer Mafia
The Queer Mafia’s first-ever queer comedy night features Ashley Moffatt and Kalyani Pandya. This is followed by dancing to the music of DJ D-luxx Brown at midnight. The venue is mostly accessible (wheelchair users need assistance to get through the front door).
10pm–2am. Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern, 1084 Wellington St W. For more info, visit Facebook.
Saturday, Nov 4
Manajiwin: LGBTTQ+ Fitness Space
Kind Space and the Odawa Native Friendship Centre try to take some of the anxiety out of exercising in public with this weekly gym space for queer people only. Volunteers are on-hand over the course of the day to provide work out advice to those who request it.
Every Saturday, 5–8pm. Odawa Native Friendship Centre, 250 City Centre Ave, Bay 102. kindspace.ca
Sunday, Nov 5
Book Launch: From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea
Venus Envy and the Ten Oaks Project present the launch of Kai Cheng Thom’s From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea, a children’s book about “a magical gender variant child [who] brings transformation and change to the world around them thanks to their mother’s enduring love.” The venue is accessible.
1–3pm. 25OneCommunity, 251 Bank St. venusenvy.ca
Friday, Nov 10
Inside Out Ottawa LGBT Film Festival
Each year, the Inside Out festival highlights queer cinema from Canada and around the world. This year’s event includes a screening of Bobbi Jo Hart’s Rebels on Pointe, a celebration of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, the all-male drag ballet company established more than 40 years ago. The venue is accessible.
Runs until Sunday, Nov 12. National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr. insideout.ca/ottawafestival
Sunday, Nov 12
Sunday Bear Coffee
Lovely ursine folks gather for tea, coffee, treats, conversation and maybe a few salmon or pots of honey. The Ottawa Bears, an organization all about bearish men, hosts one of its regular, bear-themed gatherings. All the other woodland creatures are welcome to attend as well (not just the bears).
Every Sunday, 3:30–5:00pm. Swizzles, 246 Queen St. oursottawabears.ca
Wednesday, Nov 15
Getting Hot
Want more sex, but having trouble getting in the mood? Facilitated by burlesque performer and sex educator Lana Lovecakes, this workshop is full of tips and tricks for getting turned on and jump-starting your sex life. It includes discussion on how to talk to your partner about what you actually want. Everyone welcome. The venue is accessible.
7:30–9pm. Venus Envy, 226 Bank St. venusenvy.ca