u/swimmer980

I think I’ve established a bit of a reputation for constantly hating on YumYum — but I find myself in a position of wanting to advocate for them based on a number of Pride posts that were mainly critical of cost.

True, it’s expensive. And in this economy, it’s fair to complain.

But what’s also true is that three men came together and opened a massive space for us to party in — and I can’t even imagine the cost of it. They’re undertaking current projects (rumours are circulating that the basement dance floor is being worked on) plus I’m sure other projects are underway.

Despite my criticism, they’ve been bringing good quality events and I’ve noticed upgrades especially towards lighting and sound so I know they are actively working in the background. I hope once they balance out (which might take a while), we will see prices go down. Just requires a bit of patience on our end.

Fail.

Big Fail.

Savage room? Empty.

Dance floor? Wasn’t shoulder to shoulder as usual. Music was absolutely terrible and I have no idea why they started Abel first — to be followed by not so great DJs.

Absolutely sucked. Waste of money.

Pervert was great.

Truthfully, nobody is into the super hero theme anymore. We are adults, not children.

And this stupid thunderdome theme? What is this? Nobody is into it. 👎👎👎👎👎

Thank you.

Here are my thoughts:

I believe it’s insane that our very public facing profession does not have a regulatory college governing the conduct of paramedics. They make the decisions who can be licensed, when revocations are warranted, etc. they maintain a public database of licensed paramedics (including issues of past misconduct). This keeps the public safe.

a lot of people will reply that this is why base hospitals exist (which is partially true: but only in the context of the ALS). The employer then has wide (and oft unchecked latitude) in interpreting the BLS causing a fragmented system of oversight right in front of our eyes. Fragmented systems of oversight do not work effectively especially in complex health care related disciplines like ours.

Why do the unions oppose? Imagine how much more expensive it will be for unions to represent members before a regulatory college where the game board is entirely different and is generally outside the comfort level of many unions. This may create conflict between unions and members in the future because unions may opt away from representing members at the board — and may have to hire their own legal counsel.

It also keeps a check on member-member interactions because it would impose an expectation of behaviour that would need to be followed in the workplace. In cases of misconduct, proceedings may be initiated by the college to determine questions of liability and if necessary, penalty (up to and including revocation of a license for example). These public facing proceedings are necessary to keep the public safe. This profession needs to be regulated in the public interest. Paramedics are becoming increasingly capable of making decisions that could ultimately decide a persons fate. An error in VSA management, for example, could be fatal. The public is entitled to expect that paramedics will be regulated to protect them. That calls for the establishment of a regulatory college.

There is good news! The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) which represents upper tier and single tier municipalities is calling for a regulatory college. In fact, it elevated a paramedic regulatory college to one of its top healthcare advocacy priorities.

they’ve so far delivered on that advocacy by consulting directly with government stakeholders at the recent ROMA conference where they met directly with cabinet ministers including the Minister of Health. This is an example of organized political activity that changes the discussion of this issue significantly. With increased pressure from the chiefs (who have also publicly supported a regulatory college) and the Ontario Paramedic Association, it’s clear this issue is no longer just hypothetical. I’m curious to see what the government will announce upon returning to the legislature in the fall.

There’s very little reason for the government to deny the establishment a college in my view. It’s an investment in healthcare after all. The government knows very well that we can contribute to healthcare outside of ambulances including in ER departments, for example. Paramedics are becoming increasingly utilized in clinical roles like harm reduction (like emergency response at prevention sites). I have heard no compelling reason for why a college should not be established.

What do I hope for? The establishment of a college. I stepped away from this profession in large part because l cannot reconcile the issue of fragmented oversight in a complex position such as ours. Fired from the employer for a BLS contravention? You lose your base hospital certification too. When paramedic services are running thin, they turn to candidates who can cross certify. How does an experienced paramedic cross cert if they lose their BH certification — because of an alleged contravention away from the ALS? A regulatory college resolves the issue of fragmented oversight entirely and is good for the public. No longer will an employer be able to determines the loss of a paramedics right to practice based ln issues that rnay be entirely unrelated to clinical performance for example. Fired for showing up to work late because you have trauma related to the profession? Say goodbye to your status with base hospital. It’s entirely inexcusable to me that a single employer can have so much influence over a single paramedics career.

Proceedings commended by regulatory colleges have an obligation to provide procedural fairness. There is no requirement in law that employers provide procedural fairness to employees, which paramedic services routinely take advantage of in unfair ways.

Gone are the days where management can congregate against paramedics because management would also be subject to the same standards outlined by the College. There is no more risk for inconsistent and unfair treatment that could create significant implications for the paramedic.

All of this information is available online including the position of the EOWC.

SoGood
Freddie
Village Fest
Grapefruit
Bunker

Tell us your rating for each, the good/bad and anything else you want us to know!

Sports teams = cliquey + competitive = toxic. Which Toronto team do I call out first?

Clubs = cliquey af and also toxic.

Social clubs = still cliquey…. but generally more approachable.

Importantly though, what’s isn’t toxic in our community? And that’s the point of my post. I understand why some gays leave the scene and start lives elsewhere. It’s a problem.

It seems that any cis male dominated space in our community is filled with shallow, pretentious, privileged, and completely out of touch men.

No bro, just because I looked at you doesn’t mean I want to suck your cock. I PROMISE. Get over yourself.

I’ve learned that if men don’t want to fuck you, they won’t look at you. But why the conversation starts there is unclear to me.

who’s cruising 24/7 at nightclubs and on sport teams? Like bitch, I’m on this team to workout and lose weight. If I’m looking at you, I’m acknowledging your existence in a shared communal space for the purposes of being FRIENDLY AND POLITE. That’s it. I don’t give a flying fuck that you’re a top, bottom, that you like men only who look like you (muscle, abs, arms, beard, statche, etc). I don’t care about your sex parties, orgies, etc. I don’t care.

Truthfully, I just don’t care about you in the way you think I do. Not sorry if that hurts your ego.

A simple smile, hand-wave, hello, etc., is a healthy form of communication that can be expected in communal settings like nightclubs and whatever environment your sports club operates in. If I ever decided to act like you all do on weekends in my WORKPLACE, well I’d be fired.

/endrant

Hi everyone

I’m a Canadian citizen travelling to Ethiopia in the coming months (on a wildlife research expedition). My travels will bring me through Addis Abada and through the Ethiopian highlands located in the southern part of Ethiopia. Specifically, the Kafa/Bonga area in southwest Ethiopia

I haven’t been to Africa before but I am very excited to be visiting Ethiopia for my first trip. There are travel advisories here in Canada warning against all non-essential travel to Ethiopia but after pretty exhaustive research, I’ve determined that the locations I’ll be visiting appear relatively stable and safe.

I’d love some tips about how to navigate my time in Addis Abada and through the Ethiopian highlands. If you have any tips about how to respect your local customs/culture, I’d love to hear.

Thank you!

Complex19 is hosting Fly 3.0 and bunker is bringing back Fly’s two decade nightclub resident — both are happening on Saturday night.

Do you guys think Complex19 can pull off a successful event production — one that brings back an iconic queer nightlife institution?

This looks like competition between Bunker and Complex19 and well, I guess we’re about to find out who’s going to pull off the better show LOL 😝

Also, what do you think generally of Fly’s comeback? Goodness, it’s been so long since I’ve been on that dance floor…

A lot going on…. but I’m excited no less. Are you going? Which one? Both? What are your thoughts on this?

Kirshawn was back in the YumYum spotlight — he delivered a pretty powerful set to open the night for YumYum. I’m happy to see the queer community coming together and resolving past conflicts.

It was very busy — a good sign that YumYum is finding its spirit again.

They upgraded the lights for the main dance floor and added a lovely disco ball 🪩 / they also added two slushy machines at the main bar.

That said… couldn’t help but notice significant chatter in the crowd about complaints concerning the conduct of security. Some people were angry over the level of pat downs, which some described as being “gropped.” They refused to let people on to the smoking patio with Gatorade that had been purchased inside. Seems weird since these drinks are offered for electrolyte replenishment.

Otherwise, I think it was a solid YumYum and perhaps one of the best in recent memory. Hopefully they keep up the momentum.

What did you all think if you attended?

SAFETY AT YUMYUM/COMPLEX19?

does anyone have the scoop on this or know what’s going on? Saw some statements and tried reaching out for more info but didn’t get a response from the med team. sad to see two queer organizations walk away from one another esp. before Pride… hopefully not a sign of YY fracturing this early.