Louise Lawler Heinz, (1991) cibachrome print with natural wood frame | 24 1/8 x 20 5/8 in (61 x 52 cm) Rennie Museum | 51 East Pender St | Vancouver
CITY GET THE FUCK OUT AND VOTE A BRIEFING ON CIVIC DEMOCRACY PEACH COBBLAH <strong>October</strong> 20. It’s a vital day in this city. Not just because my homo hip-hop party, Hustla, will be happening at The Emerald, though that can be where you come celebrate once you’ve done your job as a Vancouverite. Your job isn’t going to work, paying your terrifyingly high rent bill, then getting black out drunk to cope. I’m not saying that’s not what you do, you do you however you want to do it, but the job I’m talking about involves showing up at a polling station and giving yourself the time to read through all the candidates and vote. Don’t let the numbers deter you: on <strong>October</strong> 20, you will sift through the 21 mayoral candidates, 71 city council candidates, 33 parks board candidates and (perhaps most importantly, in my humble opinion) 34 school board trustee candidates. So make decisions that will shape our Vancouver today, and the Vancouver of the next generation. Maybe I’ve gone soft because this sweaty monstrosity of a drag queen became a dad in January, but the kind of future we start shaping now is at the forefront of my wig, uh, I mean mind. So how do you prepare? Don’t worry it’s not a test, you won’t fail and there isn’t a wrong answer but do follow these easy steps. Step One: Figure out what matters to you. Step Two: Spend some time on the Election <strong>2018</strong> page of City of Vancouver’s website to see each candidate and whose politics and priorities align with your own. The website lists their three top priorities very clearly as well as their platform and a bio. Step Three: Some of these candidates are connected to civic parties that have a shared platform and you can consult those parties’ websites for a more detailed understanding of how those candidates could work together to help shift our city for the better. Step Four: I know a lot of you don’t have kids in your lives, however I’m not kidding when I talk about how important voting for School Board Trustees is. Because this is how we shape the future of our city. So don’t skip that category because the younger generation of changemakers need vibrant and safe environments in which to thrive and grow into our future leaders and voters. Particular shout out to the huge importance of making schools inclusive and safe for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI). Step Five: Make it fun! Voting is serious business, but don’t let it feel like a chore. Celebrate that you’re doing something for your city and one another. Organize a voting party – you can all go to the polling station together and then sip bubbles and talk about the sophisticated civic-minded allstar you are. In fact, come join me at the Emerald and we will raise a glass together and celebrate the fact that whether we agree on everything or not, regardless of who we voted for, we used the power of our voice. Something not everyone on this planet has. So let’s not be dicks who take it for granted and just say “oh, shit, was that today?” or “I just want to finish the new season of Ozark instead.” Because you know what doesn’t get you laid? Apathy. Peach Cobblah is hosting Hustla at the Emerald on Oct. 20. Make sure you vote first! The baddest bitch, Peach Cobblah, wants you to hustle your booty to a polling station on Oct. 20. <strong>October</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 9