Some years ago, when Mitchel Raphael was the editor of Toronto’s gay party scene magazine Fab, he initiated a Pride party at his home. Over the years this party has evolved into a gay Canada Day party. Last night was a new edition of the party. Folks came dressed in a variety of fashions referencing the nation (I for one wore my gold lettered Immigrant T-shirt, but we particularly like the boys who came as Holt Renfrew shopping bags) and drinks and food all placed Canada front and center in their creations (maple syrup pancakes). The poutine was particularly pleasant, and along with the separatists balcony was a pleasant delight that went way beyond Quebec’s desires for national autonomy.
The drag queen’s performance of the national anthem by Celine Dion was a really moving moment, but I must tell the truth – when Celine met Babs things got really interesting. And in the final aftermath Canada held sway with the biggest flag!
As with all the previous editions of the Raphael family-gathering politicians made an appearance and this one was no different. Layton and Chow were there (as always); Jim Harris was there and the emerging Al-Farouk Khaki was there too.
The music was a crowd-pleasing mix of danceable gay tunes with appropriate projections of identifiable Canadiana to accompany it. Meeting up with friends and acquaintances not seen for a while has become one of the hallmarks of the Raphael party. Additionally, old, new and emerging writers, artists, fashionionistas and a plethora of interests co-mingle at this party sharing information and caution where appropriate across the genders, races, ages and more.
This year’s party was probably the best one in the series thus far. The wide and varied interpretations of the Canada day theme were fittingly intuned with the wide and varied interpretations of this land we call home.
Thanks for a great time Raphael Family!
All images and text is copyrighted by Abdi Osman and Rinaldo Walcott unless otherwise specified.
