“When it comes to bullying, the best thing we can do is be a living example,” says singer Kreesha Turner. “We need to speak up when we believe somebody is being mistreated or bullied or discriminated against.” Turner will be performing at the third annual CLIMAX — the Canadian Live Intimate Music Art Xperience — event to combat homophobic bullying. Other participants include Jeffrey Straker, the Second City crew, dancers from So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Miss Conception and Heroine Marks.

Proud FM has teamed up with the Bank of Montreal and PFLAG to host a night of art, entertainment, sexy food and drinks to raise money and awareness for a great cause. Guests are encouraged to wear something with a splash of purple, the colour associated with the fight against bullying.

“The reason I have such understanding and love for everybody, regardless of their colour or their religion or their sexual preference, is because of the way I was raised,” Turner says. The Juno-nominated R&B songstress, who is of Chinese, Scottish, German and Jamaican ancestry, has felt out of place herself at times. “We need to know that we’re all equal. It is important to be understanding and tolerant and loving towards people with different perspectives.”

CLIMAX is Sun, May 27, 3–7pm, The Berkeley Church, 315 Queen St E.