River Glen

River Glen joined Quirk-e in 2007 shortly after moving to Vancouver. She found not only a writing and imaging group, but also a caring community that celebrates and advocates for queer pride and culture. River came out as bisexual in grade 12, walked in a Gay Pride event in West Hollywood in 1973, but spent most of her reproductive years in a heterosexual relationship growing a family of four kids. In 1997 she left her marriage, came out once again, got a Bachelor of Social Work, and worked with seniors in long-term care and with people living with HIV/AIDS.

River was on the board of the Okanagan Rainbow Coalition helping put on dances and produce a newsletter. She participated in Kelowna’s 1997 Pride parade along with her 10-year-old daughter. Now enjoying retirement, she is the proud grandmother of soon-to-be five grandchildren and is on the Social Issues Committee at 411 Seniors Centre. She is on the board of the Surrey Pride Society helping to put on: Drag Bingo events, the amazing charity fundraiser So You Think You Can Drag and the Surrey Pride Festival which are attended by thousands.

River is determined to create a more just world for queer and transgender/nonbinary friends and all young people.

LATEST POSTS BY AUTHOR

I Give Up

From Wrinkles: Quirk-e Collected Writings Volume Four 2009 I am mortal, and I shall go forth into the rest of my life even more aware of my terminal condition. My intent is to forge the most loving and intimate relationship with the idea of, one day, not being on this planet. I give up ignoring … Read more

The Mouth

From Wrinkles: Quirk-e Collected Writings Volume Four 2009 The umbilical cord is severed, and replaced by the demands of the oral realm for animal needs, various acquired addictions, and verbalization. A gaping, ravenous, salivating maw. Use it and survive, bond to caregivers, learn about yourself and your world. A lifetime of use. Open wide for … Read more

Survival Female

Originally published in: QUIRK-E Collections – 2010 A line being regularly delivered by male comedians in jest is “don’t be such a girl,” or the variant, “he screamed like a little girl.” Man up. Shrill, demonstrative, emotional response to the fright, pain, abandonment, and other negative experiences must be born with a stiff upper lip, … Read more

Review of Will & Harper (netflix Doc)

I watched this film about two weeks ago and intended to write a review while it was still fresh in my psyche. Even though I was busy, I kept thinking about the film because of the anti-trans garbage on TV news about politicians passing horrible legislation and social media posts by people proclaiming, “there are … Read more

Ride with a New View

Originally published in QUIRK-E Collections Volume 5 Today I climbed aboard a bus not intent on a destination; rather I bore to fully experience stimulation of my imagination by focusing a penetrating gaze on the other bus riders. This is not something I would necessarily appreciate myself though I suppose some of them could be … Read more

Chasing After What Do I Deconstruct Myself?

Originally Published in Wrinkles Ten days to go till my partial tit amputation (breast reduction surgery). Am I having second thoughts? Will I regret it? Will it change me in ways I cannot foresee? How much internalized ageism or general body disparagement is influencing this? Who knows? When I cup my breasts in my hands … Read more