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Feature - Young and gay in Whistler
A journey that has led some to Whistler, and may lead some away
by Lara BozabalianPage 4 of 7
They have brought their love of community into the work place, using Solarice as a way to give back to the community they have been so welcomed in.
"We offer free meditation on Wednesday evenings, yoga by donation. We've done a lot with silent auctions and local charities," says Skerritt. "We love Whistler and the community here, and will continue to support it however we can. The wellness centre is a way to do that."
They are offering a women's only spa on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m., in honour of Altitude week.
Acceptance
In keeping with the cadence of the town, there seems to be an overall acceptance of everything. It's just hard to raise eyebrows around here. I was still curious, however, what it would be like for someone younger, more entrenched in the athletic community.
I headed to the slopes to find David Hill, 26.
As a housing advisor in staff accommodations, Hill works to "keep the peace when people are complaining about noise at night, lose their keys, get locked out." He cites his role as comparable to a don in university residence and, since he spends his days as a ski instructor, he finds it convenient as well.
Hill says the hardest work he's done, however, was coming out to his fellow ski instructors.
After moving to Whistler three years ago Hill says he initially felt hesitant.
"I'd been out for three years, since university. My parents knew, my friends. I was used to being out. But it was different here, it had the feel of being back in high school again, a lot of testosterone, machismo. I had the feeling of being slammed in the closet again, all of the same insecurities came up.. Feeling that 'oh my god, if they find out I'm going to get beaten up by a group of drunken enraged co-workers after the bar. They're all going to think that I want to sleep with them.'
"And working in ski school. there's the perception that if you're gay and a teacher, that you're a pedophile. It was a concern when I was in the Con-Ed program at Trent... It's harder as a male. I just didn't want to deal with the implication, the pressure."
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