Alternative lifestyles and artistic expression were the topics of a campaign last week to smear the reputation of Theatre Outré at Bordello. Theatre Outré is a Lethbridge-based performance group that presents theatrical content that challenges societal norms and pushes sexual boundaries. It is also the home to several local groups such as #YQLPOETRY, Fourth Wave Freaks zine, Drama Nutz and others.
E-mails to the landlord and a petition were circulated by some tenants of the McFarland building, where Theatre Outré resides. A blog posted by the theatre representatives wrote some tenants were complaining of homosexual lifestyles, “transsexual endorsement,” child molestation, catching STDs from the building’s toilets, rape and indecent exposure. The group says an anonymous phone call was also placed to the mayor’s office. The theatre was previously located above The Owl Acoustic Lounge but moved to the new, larger space where its doors are now temporarily closed.
Last Thursday, an evening of support for the group was held at The Owl and theatre representatives gave a speech thanking everyone for their letters of encouragement.
Aaron Collier, Theatre Outré designer and technician said the community response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Thank you for the educated respectful letters of support… The positivity that was shown in one day and the mobilization that came out of that actually does change things, so thank you for that change,” said Collier.
“Just seeing something unfold and seeing people stand up for homosexuality and artistic expression and sexual freedom as basic human rights. I’ve had a lot of moments of sincere pride about living in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. I think despite feeling very hurt for a moment, the reaction was not [predicted]. Overall, it’s been an incredible week.”
The City of Lethbridge issued a statement Jan. 29 that said the matter has to do with “the need for a development permit application in order to operate a theatre,” and not the group’s production content.
According to the statement, a representative from Theatre Outré was told Jan. 27 the group would need to apply for a development permit to operate in the city, in keeping with the standard land-use bylaw process.
Collier says everyone should take this as a lesson in communication. “A lot of people came together and started to talk about this and that really solves a lot of issues,” says Collier.
“A lot of the time, our pre-conceived notions of people are incomplete, and open, honest conversations can solve a lot of problems.”
Due to the large outpouring of support from community members, city hall officials and its landlord, the theatre will stay in its present location and re-open once proper permits are obtained.
“We’re going to keep doing what we do in Lethbridge, for Lethbridge,” says Collier.