Out in Ottawa: Sept 1–15, 2017

Choice events in the city


Friday, Sept 1

Sing It! Karaoke with The Queer Mafia

The Queer Mafia, a queer community organization, hosts a big karaoke night for the amateur crooners out there. This is followed by a dance party whose soundtrack is provided by DJ Keuro. The venue is mostly accessible (ask for assistance from security or hosts to get through the front door).

9:30pm–2am. Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern, 1084 Wellington St W. For more info, visit Facebook.

Saturday, Sept 2

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 for queer people. Volunteers are on-hand to give work-out advice to those who ask for it.

Every Saturday, 5–8pm. Odawa Native Friendship Centre, 250 City Centre Ave, Bay 102. kindspace.ca

Manajiwin: LGBTTQ+ Fitness Space is open every Saturday from 5–8pm at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre. Credit: Courtesy Kind Space

Wednesday, Sept 6

TGC’s Wellness Fair and Open House

Funded by the government of Ontario, this event may be of interest to Ottawa’s queer seniors. It includes seminars, information on health, safety and social services in the Ottawa area, exhibitors, demonstrations, door prizes, draws, and a free lunch.

9:30am–2:30pm. The Good Companions Seniors’ Centre, 670 Albert St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Saturday, Sept 9

SlutWalk Ottawa 2017

SlutWalk is an event/march that aims to end rape culture, sexual violence and victim-blaming. This year’s event begins with speeches at the Human Rights Monument, and then participants will march through the streets (see indicated Facebook event page for route).

2–4pm. Human Rights Monument (Corner of Elgin and Lisgar streets). For more info, visit Facebook.

Sunday, Sept 10

Sunday Bear Coffee

Loveably ursine folks gather for tea, coffee, treats, conversation and maybe a few pots of honey. The Ottawa Bears, an Ottawa-based social group, holds one of its regular, bear-themed gatherings. All the other woodland creatures are welcome to attend as well (not just bears).

Every Sunday, 3:30–5:00pm. Swizzles, 246 Queen St. oursottawabears.ca

Friday, Sept 15

 

NCLP Weekend and Competitions

Each year, the austere folks of Ottawa shed their ties and Oxfords — and whatever else civil servants tend to wear — and let their hair down for National Capital Leather Pride. This weekend-long celebration of all things kink includes competitions for the titles of Mr NCLP, Ms NCLP and Mr Rubber Ottawa

Runs until Sunday, Sept 17. For more info, visit Facebook.

Jeremy Willard is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor. He's written for Fab Magazine, Daily Xtra and the Torontoist. He generally writes about the arts, local news and queer history (in History Boys, the Daily Xtra column that he shares with Michael Lyons).

Read More About:
Culture, Event listings, Ottawa, Arts

Keep Reading

Andrea Gibson, left, and Megan Falley, the subjects of the film "Come See Me in the Good Light," pose for a portrait during the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Park City, Utah.

Andrea Gibson helped me see life in the good light

Gibson’s poetry about queerness and mortality taught thousands of people how to reject apathy and embrace life
Collage of greyscale photos of a sofa, chair, shelf and the lower bodies of two people, against a purple and pink background

We need queer gathering spaces more than ever

The eleven-part series Taking Space explores where we go next as the lights of gay bars dim

Summer 2025 is all about the moustache

OPINION: But never forget that a silly little moustache will always be a little bit gay
Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes in And Just Like That... Nixon has short red hair and wears green; she is facing someone else across a bar table

Where is Cynthia Nixon in the evolution of Miranda Hobbes?

OPINION: There should be butches in the “And Just Like That …” universe