ottawa

 Nathalie Lefebvre: Courtesan, Thai Massage Therapist, and Muse
by Peter Berton

Beautiful. Witty. Sensual. Intelligent. Delectable. Mischievous. Sincere. Winsome. All these words and so many more describe the lovely Ottawa's Nathalie Lefebvre. Found online at lovely-nathalie.com (for once, an aptly-named web site), this sleek and sensuous 23 year-old Quebecois describes herself as someone who "genuinely cares for my lover's needs, desires, thoughts and feelings." And yes, Nathalie's definition of lover' extends to men, women and couples.

Sure, it is starting to get cold. Sure, it is getting dark earlier. Sure, we're just getting started on another Canadian winter. But that's no reason to curl up in a ball, wishing for the sweet release of Spring! Okay, I am one who is likely to try and do that, but there are just too many things to be out and about doing and seeing and licking and nibbling!

Candian Cities are finding new ways to spread sexual health resources and information to teens and adults through unique services such as texting and ecards.

Toronto Public Health has released a unique new cellphone service for those with sexual health questions. Teens and adults can text-message questions for free to 365247 about topics such what to do if a condom breaks and where to go for STI testing and the service replies with information about where to get help in the city.

Open and multi-partner relationship are becoming more visible as media is starting to pick up on what millions of couples have known since we first crawled out of the muck.

Monogamy is not the only way to do it.

Television shows like Big Love, Californication, Caprica and just about anything late night on Showcase, thrust what was considered backroom alternative sex, like swinging and multi-partner marriage right into the fore front of popular culture.

Capital Xtra, Ottawa’s only gay and lesbian newspaper, is shutting it’s local offices after 16 years and moving to Toronto.
Founded in 1993, Capital Xtra has been the most significant media force in the national capital region's gay and lesbian community. Published 17 times a year, the publication maintains a fiercely loyal readership. Each issue of 20,000 copies reach 36,000 readers.