Take Up the Torch

A new film about homosexuality in the Inuit society shines a light on an often forgotten group of people. The Inuits are indigenous tribes who come from the northern territories of Canada. The word “inuit” means “the people” in the Inuktitut language. It is commonly believed that homosexuality does not exist in Inuit society, or is a choice, but documentary filmmakers Mark Kenneth Woods and Michael Yerxa aim to prove this untrue in their documentary, Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things. The title for the film comes from the Inuit word for homosexuals. The word for lesbians translates to “two soft things rubbing against each other” and the word for gay men means “two hard things rubbing against each other.”

An intimate, behind-the-scenes look at performance, glamor, fame, family, love and sacrifice as some of the world's most renowned drag queens come together for World Pride in Toronto.

Created by Canadian filmmaker Mark Kenneth Woods and co-produced by Michael Venus, the first season of the world's first LGBT themed sketch comedy TV show started airing on OUTtv in July 2005. The second season began airing in September, 2006 and, after a hiatus, a third season debuted in July, 2009. The show also aired on SelecTV/OUTtv in Australia in 2006. Pink TV in France, Belgium, Switzerland and other territories started airing the first 2 seasons of the show with the alternate title "Le Venus Show" in September, 2006. The show began airing in the Netherlands and the Benelux in April, 2008 on OUTTv. here! network in the USA began airing the show in August, 2008. Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the sketch comedy show blends politics and pop culture with humour and irreverence.

Forever lonely, homely Deborah Dyer tries everything she can to "suicide herself" when she finds herself still single on her 40th birthday. All attempts fail as fate sends her car swerving right into Sisi Sickles, a recently evicted 40-something promiscuous waitress. Seeing an opportunity for a quick buck, Sisi hastily begins to take advantage of naive Deb and is soon at Deb's doorstep with a "broken umbilical cord or two." Stricken with guilt, a clueless and lonely Deb postpones her self-destructive plans to take care of Sisi. Things run hilariously amok when the two women grow closer and develop the only real friendship either of them has ever had. Who needs a man anyways, right?

In this mockumentary special based on characters from "The House of Venus Show", Vance and Pepe, two hosts of a renowned reality makeover series, find out their show has been canceled. Desperate for work, they devise a plan to use their 'fame' to find new careers in the porn industry.

With equal rights in Canada, including same-sex marriage, and a younger generation of LGBTQ people no longer feeling threatened in the streets or in mainstream bars and nightclubs, do we still need a queer neighbourhood or queer spaces? As a number businesses in Toronto's own gay village close their doors and LGBTQ people move to other parts of the city, this documentary asks: Is the village dying?

Over the last 30 years, barbara findlay has brought together the forces of feminism, anti-oppression and community activism, advocating for the rights and freedoms of queer and transgender Canadians.

As artist Michael Venus prepares for the 20th year of “Wiggle,” his annual DIY wearable art event, we take a look back at Michael and The House of Venus’s groundbreaking work.

An exploration of what happens when a small group in the remote Arctic community of Nunavut decides to hold an LGBT2Q+ pride celebration.