Sunday, Oct 16
Bear Coffee
A bunch of hyper, coffee-filled bears stomp around and, one can only assume, hatch mad schemes to get all the honey. The Ottawa Bears invites the city’s burly men and their admirers to socialize and have a couple cups of coffee. Afterward, attendees head to a restaurant for dinner. This takes place every Sunday.
3–5pm. Centretown Pub, 340 Somerset St W. oursottawabears.ca
Tuesday, Oct 18
Gaymer Night at Swizzles: Politically Incorrect Night
There’s nothing gentle about this games night, which is focused on games with dark and edgy humour. This includes Joking Hazard, a card game from the creators of the webcomic Cyanide and Happiness. It also includes Cards Against Humanity (with the Crabs Adjust Humidity expansion), Red Flags and more. No drink purchase is required to attend.
6:30–10pm. Swizzles, 246 Queen St. For more info, visit Facebook.
Thursday, Oct 20
Hard Cover Book Club
Sean Strub founded Poz magazine, produced the hit play The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, and was the first openly HIV-positive person to run for US congress. At this event, men gather to discuss Strub’s memoir, Body Counts: A Memoir of Activism, Sex and Survival. The book can be purchased at the recently renovated Stonewall Wilde’s at 370 Bank St.
6:30pm. Centretown CHC, 420 Cooper St. aco-cso.ca/gayzonegaie
Saturday, Oct 22
Manajiwin LGBTTQ+ Fitness space
The gym is one of the most intimidating places — especially for people from marginalized communities. That’s why Kind Space and Odawa Native Friendship Centre provide an exercise space geared for queer people. Folks can get workout tips from on-site volunteers (if they want), and work out in a pressure-free environment. This takes place every Saturday.
2–8pm. The Odawa Native Friendship Centre, 250 City Centre Ave, Bay 102. kindspace.ca/manajiwin
Offbeat: Strictly Dance
While everyone else is out using racial slurs and being awful, more socially conscious folks attend this party. It’s hosted by The Queer Mafia (QM), an Ottawa-based organization that throws inclusive parties and other events. The music is electronic, and all proceeds go to the various causes that QM supports. This is an accessible venue.
10:30pm–2:30am. Babylon Nightclub, 317 Bank St. facebook.com/thequeermafia
Tuesday, Oct 25
Introduction to BDSM
Many people have kinky urges, but it can be difficult to get into BDSM — a world full of complicated gear and strange rules and terminology. This workshop for beginners covers the lingo, deciding boundaries, communicating those boundaries, safety (including safe words), spanky stuff, basic knot-tying and how to incorporate common household items into playtime.
6:30pm. Venus Envy, 226 Bank St. venusenvy.ca
Friday, Oct 28
Sashay Halloween
Traditionally, Halloween is one of the few times of year when queer people really let loose. This inclusive dance party features DJs Cajjmere Wray and Ashley Gauthier spinning, and Kiki Coe, Jasmine Dymond, Markida Brown and Koko Shennel performing in drag. The visuals are supplied by VJ Ina, so even if you get bored you can stare at something sparkly.
10pm–2:15am. Barrymore’s, 323 Bank St. facebook.com/sashayottawa
For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events
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