Interview by Norval Collins 2020-07-08

where were you born, your birthday,

Born in the middle of Halifax Jun 3, 1951. And grew up in Halifax, went to Queen Elizabeth High School where he came out many times. Too many hot males students - first sexual experience at 14 with his neighbour of about the same age. Not visibly out in high school, active in sports - on the high school wrestling team - lots of stories there. The showers were some nice.

how were you first involved with the gay community,

Mike worked for WestCo (Westinghouse for over 20 years).

Mike met this handsome young man named Robin Metcalfe at Dave Grey’s club. Robin was quite politically active at young age and after Stonewall GAE was formed with Robin an important member and Mike came in a few years level. Robin helped Mike come out politically. 
Mike hung around with many of the local gay men of the time. Mike can remember going into the Green Lantern building and meeting all these people - there’s a woman dressed in leather - Hazel? Favourite Song was Midnight Train to Georgia grinding crotches.

remarkable roommates, what it was like living with them, your queer family,

Al Stewart was Mike’s first roommate. Mike mostly lived at home with his family. He met Al at the GAE meetings years ago - Al being Al - pointing out the glaring inconsistencies in GAE at that time.
Henry Mapp could fuck you and suck you off at the same time!! Sadly he died of AIDS.

1975 - Mike would go over to Robin’s place and eat some of his fabulous soups. Mike and Robin went to the stage production of The Boys In The Band.

Worked with GAE and politics, but dropped out for a few years. When Rumous moved over to Gottingen Street got back involved in GAE and became treasurer. Robin, Mike and a 3rd guy dressed up as nuns and handed out pamphlets with Marilyn Lamb for pope - the only time he was in drag. It was protest of demanding more rights for lesbians including the shirtlessness issue. The GAE board found out the women COULD take their shirts off legally, but they didn’t - they wanted men to leave their shirts on - and Robin sometimes worse much less.

Mike went with Al to St. John’s United Church’s first vigil for HIV. Mike was on the Board of Canadian Treatment Action Council (for HIV) and was treasurer for a few years. Also on the board (co-chair) of GNP North America for a number of years - an widespread international group spanning the globe. On the Board of the Canadian AIDS Society for many years - vice chair - and on the board as the Atlantic Representative until about 10 years ago. For many years was a volunteer for the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia for over 20 years and became the chair for many years.

1988 / 1989 Pride march - Al helped organize and Mike was helping Al. Paper bags over the heads was a big thing, including Mike.

A bunch of young men, Al, Mike and Don Murchy were talking at Rumours and decided it was time to have a leather contest like other big cities. A couple of lesbians wanted to be part of it. The first organization was called Leather and Lace and, after the women moved away, it became Tightrope (Al was the first President and Mike was the second). Tightrope did the MAC Leather competition with similar minded folks in New Brunswick. Mike had a time as a judge.  They would go to runs in Toronto (Spearhead), Montreal and Chicago bringing back stories and ideas. Mike won the Spearhead Run competition as the Daddy Leatherman.