Two out of three ain’t bad
I am writing in response to three articles in fab #402.

I loved the “Class of Pride 2010” concept, with all the “most likely tos” and “bests.” It was very funny and creative.

However, in the article “Mom and Pop” about Belinda Carlisle, “Provence” is incorrectly spelt with a cedilla. A cedilla in French is used only before an A, an O or a U. That’s why the language Provençal has a cedilla in it, although the region does not.

I also notice that the Style column has changed. I know that there used to be some complaints that fab only recommended unaffordable products and accessories, perhaps because market research showed that the readership has such a high income. But Max MacDonald recommends sunglasses, swimsuits and sunscreens that are well within reach for us younger or poorer gays, and I feel more included. Hopefully this will broaden the magazine’s readership base.

— Nicolas Provencher

Exploitive Gaga
I went to see Lady Gaga at the ACC on July 12, 2010. I went to the show out of curiosity more than anything. I do have to admit that she has a great voice and her songs are very catchy. I was intrigued because not since Madonna have I seen so much interest surrounding a pop artist. Before the show started I noticed it was very reminiscent of the very first Madonna show that I saw at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1985. It was the Virgin Tour. Many girls and some boys dressed as Gaga and her gay audience was undeniable just like at the many Madonna shows I have been to.

The show started and I was having a good time and could not believe how much Gaga seemed like Madonna. It was if she took a blueprint of Madonna’s career and decided to follow it. All of a sudden I was bothered when she rather randomly said, “I love the gays.” When she said this she got a lot of applause. I wondered if she said “I love the blacks” or “I love the chinese” would she get such applause? I felt like I was being exploited. Was she really saying you are my audience and buy my records? I do respect Madonna for never really pandering to her gay audience. She does her thing and we like it or not. I think the gay community really needs to be skeptical of its supporters and start questioning what kind of support is needed to go forward.

— Ernest John Smith