Toronto - February 19, 2006

I had a great time today as one of the invited guests of the Queer as Fans 2006 Convention held in my (blisteringly-cold) home town. I presented a 2-hour talk concerning the life of a writer -- and was delighted to have it attended by a dedicated, intense, and thoughtful group of Queer as Folk fans. Following that, I shared the stage with QAF Music Supervisor Michael Perlmutter and we gossed it up with the group -- although much of the chat was dominated by what seemed to be a rabidly guerilla-like faction of the fandom that was -- ahem -- opinionated. That being said, it was all in good fun and I thouroughly enjoyed being there (for the 3rd year in a row!) and seeing many familiar faces. For all the animosity that supposedly exists between those that produce the QAF canon and those that critique it, I've gotta say that the spirit and energy of the Convention delegates is a genuine delight.

Many thanks to Organizers Elsa Rose Bryant and hubby Bob Bryant, Heroic MC Richard Ferguson, the dedicated staff and volunteers, as well as all the wonderful and committed people who came from some staggeringly far-off places to share tall tales, duke it out in the 'Shipper Colliseum, and hear what I and my fellow crew-mates had to say concerning the show that touched so many of us.

www.queerasfans.com