Our CityThe faith of Pam Rocker
Gay activist finds spiritual home at Hillhurst United Church
It's a cold Sunday morning and Hillhurst United Church is bursting with people — so many that extra seating is opened in an adjoining room. A small yellow-haired girl is handing out thin candles to those who have yet to take one. They come in every colour there is, and hers is pink.
Eventually the crowd settles, and after the minister speaks and songs are sung, the congregation erupts in applause as Pam Rocker makes her way to the stage.
Young man denied from donating blood because of his sexual orientation
- Published on Wednesday, 22 May 2013 21:02
- Written by Lydia Dedora
Canadian Blood Services still saying no to sexually active gay men
We’ve all heard the expression, “Blood. It’s in you to give,” but Canadian Blood Services' policies imply that it's not for Karl Justus, 23, or any gay man who is sexually active for that matter.
After trying to donate blood because of the shortage in Calgary, Justus was told he couldn’t give blood because of the sole fact that he is gay.
Gay men have been denied the right to donate blood since 1983, but Justus says it's ridiculous that, in this day and age, gay men are still being turned down to donate their blood.
Alberta Vice: Comparing our province’s ‘sins’ to the rest of Canada
- Published on Tuesday, 21 May 2013 18:28
- Written by Colin McHattie
Province leads country in divorce, Albertans spend more on gambling than national average
Albertans have been seen as smug, cocky and self-satisfied by other Canadians. But, in some ways, Albertans don't have much to be satisfied about.
The Calgary Journal has compared Alberta to the rest of Canada using a number of "vice" measures — including obesity, drinking, divorce, gambling, smoking and overall crime rates.
As shown in the accompanying infographic, which is based on the latest Statistics Canada numbers available, Alberta is consistently among the provinces with the highest vice rates.
Casablanca Video doing well amid rise of online streaming services
- Published on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 18:47
- Written by LAREN PRITCHARD
Assistant manager of one of Calgary's last rental stores says business still good over a year after Blockbuster closures
Casablanca Video has been a staple in Calgary's Marda Loop area for more than 30 years. Despite a lack of customer parking, Casablanca must be doing something right, as it's among the few video rental stores left in Calgary.
Not only did the store out-live large video-chain Blockbuster Video by about a year and a half, the sales have continued to rise five to 10 per cent each year, assistant manager Tiara Simmons said.
Should schools be required to teach about domestic violence?
- Published on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 19:15
- Written by Tera Swanson
Alberta has high rates of family abuse but issues aren't part of core school curriculum
Alberta has one of the highest domestic violence rates in Canada. But discussions about domestic violence aren't mandatory in schools – even though some experts say they should be.
According to the most recent Statistics Canada reports available, Alberta had the second highest provincial rate of self-reported violent victimization of women in 2009. And, in 2010, it had the third highest rate of family violence among the provinces.
Experts interviewed believe domestic violence can be reduced by educating youth – changing their attitudes and perceptions about healthy relationships and violence against women.