Faces we

FIND WHERE AND
WHEN YOUR VENDOR
SELLS MEGAPHONE
Contents
#
180
Out front 6
There’s a new prime minister in Canada, and
with him the federal government is launching
a national inquiry into missing and murdered
Indigenous women and girls, changing the
backdrop of the annual Women’s Memorial
March on Feb. 14.
FIND.MEGAPHONEMAGAZINE.COM
FIND A VENDOR APP DESIGNED BY DENIM & STEEL
MEGAPHONEMAGAZINE.COM
FACEBOOK.COM/MEGAPHONEMAGAZINE
@MEGAPHONEMAG
INSTAGRAM.COM/MEGAPHONEMAG
YOUTUBE.COM/MEGAPHONEMAG
A blood ban 10
While the MSM policy excluding sexually
active gay men from donating blood into
Canada’s national supply continues into the
21st century, there is a Vancouver initiative
that aims to catch Canada up with the US.
Mega-romance 12
Clare Yow shares how she came to meet and
fall in love with Leo Yu through a Megaphone
event, Voices of the Street 2015. The two
first met over social media, but the budding
romance blossomed over social awareness, the
will to make a difference, and picnics on an
elephant-print blanket.
Victoria homeless camp 14
We profile three campers residing outside the
Victoria courthouses who are part of the socalled
“Super InTent City,” which has housed
more than 100 campers since November.
Cover Photography
Jackie Dives
About the photo
From left to right, Leslie
Pierre, Gina Bombay and
Laura Dilley from PACE
Society are among the five
advocates and groups we
heart, and whose work we
want to recognize.
Photo on this page
Comedian Lewis Black is
one of the headlining acts
coming out of the inaugural
JFL NorthWest comedy
festival this month.
MEGAPHONE IS SOLD IN
VANCOUVER AND VICTORIA
BY HOMELESS AND LOW-
INCOME VENDORS. VENDORS
BUY THE MAGAZINE FOR 75¢
AN ISSUE AND SELL IT TO
CUSTOMERS FOR $2.
Our goal is to provide a voice
and an economic opportunity to
homeless and low-income people
while building grassroots support
to end poverty.
THANK YOU SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS
Who do we love? 16
The world becomes a better place through a
collective of wonderful advocates and groups
working hard and making sacrifices to affect
change. That’s why we decided to zero in on a
special few who stole our hearts this past year
and celebrate them.
Mount Pleasant's future 20
Mount Pleasant resident Megan Lau shares her
thoughts on what the neighbourhood needs,
what it stands to lose, and scratches her head
over who really deserves the seat. The byelection
will have a role to play in the future of
the contested riding.
You’re having a laugh 24
We review the upcoming Just For Laughs (JFL)
NorthWest comedy festival this month, which
is not only featuring local talent but a plethora
of well known headliners including Wanda
Sykes, Trevor Noah, David Cross, and much
more.
2 Change that Works
MegaphoneMagazine.com
3