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“Reappropriating the pink triangle symbol is important,” says Claudia Van den Heuvel, Executive Director of PTS. “It was a symbol for gay men who rallied in the 60s; it then became lesbian in the 70s; but we want PTS to be inclusive, not just gay but queer.”

The rebranding of PTS as queer was initially met with resistance, but you wouldn’t know it by the faces at the Gala. Volunteers dressed up in balloon costumes, juggler Yoshi Chladny playing with balls (no pun intended) and kinky performers created an inclusive and jovial atmosphere while the public danced to the beats of DJ Jumpin’ Jim from The Lookout.

Juggler Yoshi Chladny at the PTS Gala

Celebrating and fundraising for PTS’s community work and its newly established counseling service, volunteers were auctioned off as dates and local businesses donated prized that were secretly hidden in the balloon costumes. The best prizes to be popped were in the balloons located closer to more “intimate” areas of the body. Needless to say, they went quickly.

Present were NDP MPs Scott Craig, Nycole Turmel and Philip Toone, who said, “PTS is an organization that’s worked very hard to break down barriers [in the city]. I left Ottawa to a warmer [gay scene in] Montréal and I’m back to a much more vibrant community and it’s partly thanks to the hard work at PTS.”

By queers, for queers and in a queer space, PTS is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

with a colourful calendar of events and actives, ranging from speed-friending to readings. 

More info at www.pinktriangle.org. 

PTS Gala May 10 (with Deric Ziebarth)