Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Candles glow for fire victim
Entertainer's friends hold vigil at burnt bathhouse
Vigil for the men that died in a fire at Aquarius bathhouse on Notre Dame. (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
A fire that tore through the upper floor of a Winnipeg bathhouse Sunday morning killed two men, including a flamboyant drag queen.
Steven Yablonski, 23, a popular gay performer at alternative-entertainment pageants across the city, died in the fire at Aquarius Men's Bath, 457 Notre Dame Ave. Police have not yet identified the second victim.
Related Items
The fire at about 7 a.m. Sunday caused about $500,000 in damage to the two-storey building. Officials say the origin of the fire is suspicious.
Yablonski's mother, Andrea, said her son was bitten by the entertainer bug at an early age and loved to sing and dance.
"He had great stage presence," she said. "Everyone loved his singing. You could see he was a true entertainer."
Yablonski, whose stage name was Kerri O'Kee, spent his childhood in and around Fraserwood and Gimli. He moved to Winnipeg two years ago and had been working at Pizza Hut. He had been planning to write and record a CD, his mother said.
"I'll miss him, his smile and hugs and kisses," Andrea said. "He's in a better place. He's in heaven. He's in peace."
Yablonski was set to compete in a drag competition next weekend for the Snowy Owl Monarchist Society, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community organization that raises funds for local charities. The event has been postponed, the organization said. A memorial will be held next weekend instead.
Yablonksi's friends were adamant about not talking to news media and interview requests were not immediately answered.
But they have been mourning his death on Facebook.
By early Monday, a group on the social networking site had been set up. More than 500 people have joined to share their condolences and memories. Photos posted on the Facebook page show Yablonski with friends and singing karaoke dressed in drag.
"A true entertainer and a tragic loss," wrote Stefan Maroni. "Always a smile on his face and a beautiful personality. You will be greatly missed."
Said Ricardo Medeiros: "No matter where he goes, I'm sure he is singing."
About 100 people turned out for a candlelight vigil for Yablonski in front of the destroyed bathhouse Monday night.
The crowd was about half women, half men. One woman placed a long-stemmed rose on the sidewalk for Yablonski. "I got yellow because it symbolizes courage," she said.
People lit white candles and milled about quietly. Someone was handing out a songsheet with the lyrics to Hero, by Enrique Iglesias, to be sung later.
"It was Steve's favourite song," one man explained.
"We're here because this doesn't make any sense at all. When that happens, we have to come together," another man said, addressing the crowd.
"(Steve) loved doing charity work. He loved helping out as much as he could," said another man.
People at the vigil didn't seem to know the identity of the other person killed in the fire.
The building was formerly a training centre for taekwondo students. It was remodelled in 2001 for the bathhouse, a place where people meet and often have sex.
At the fire scene Sunday, one man was found dead and the other was conveyed to hospital in critical condition and died shortly after.
Winnipeg police and the arson strike force continue to investigate, said Winnipeg Police Service spokeswoman Const. Jacqueline Chaput. Early damage estimates are $300,000 to the building and $200,000 to the contents.
Aquarius was one of two bathhouses in the city. It served men only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and was coed the other days of the week. The owner of the bathhouse could not be reached for comment last night.
On its website, the establishment offered more than 40 rooms for patrons to "explore," including a bondage room. According to its rules, alcohol, smoking and drugs were not permitted.
However, one former Aquarius client told the Free Press drugs had become commonplace and that coed nights created tension at the bathhouse.
"When you put gays in a straight bar, there's going be tension. People get freaked out," said Richard Bjornson. "You don't know who you're hitting on. You hit on a straight guy and -- bam! -- you get hit back.
"Homophobia is alive and well," he said.
Chaput said it's too early in the investigation to determine whether the fire was a hate crime.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 13, 2009 A3
- Rate this
-
-
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The comment period for this story has ended.
Ads by Google
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
-
Flood Watch 2010
News and information about flooding in the Red River Valley.
-
CON >< CUSSIONS
Examining hockey head injuries
-
Random Acts of Kindness
Your encounters with goodness
-
Open Secrets
Red River students mine government data banks
-
Miss Lonelyhearts
Maureen Scurfield offers life advice
Poll
Most Popular
- Should the province spend $3.1 million to keep Greyhound inter-city bus service in Manitoba?
- Winnipeg Sun editor charged with child pornography
- Burning question over dead wood
- 16-year-old boy charged with making racial comment over intercom at southern US Walmart
- Porn actress Joslyn James releases sexually graphic messages she says came from Tiger Woods
- Arrest warrant issued for 'Laughing Girl'
- Move, then be quiet about cash
- Sun editor charged with possessing child pornography
- Fargo not caught napping
- Beefed-up kindergarten shelved
- She's not laughing anymore
- Winnipeg Sun editor charged with child pornography
- Mild again, but enjoy it while it lasts
- Freedom for Li expected
- Crusader up for Nobel Prize
- Gesturing rudely at OPP while in possession of stolen goods: not a good idea
- Man shot after chasing car thieves
- Grand Forks declares flood emergency
- Arrest warrant issued for 'Laughing Girl'
- Ile des Chenes couple wins St. B Hospital lottery
- Olympic-sized hypocrisy
- Crusader up for Nobel Prize
- Teacher's lapdance caught on tape, watched by world
- Students could be punished
- Second video of lap dance uncovered
- Not wrong, just illegal
- Mr. Matas a worthy nominee
- She's not laughing anymore
- What should happen to two teachers who performed a sexually suggestive dance routine in front of students?
- Oprah's on, and so is our Jon!
- Don't seek mom's approval when you're making plans
- Burning question over dead wood
- Beefed-up kindergarten shelved
- Pope orders Vatican probe into Irish church, blasts bishops, takes no Vatican blame for abuse
- Northern towns breathe easier
- Manitoba considers options for huge H1N1 vaccine surplus
- Budget slashing will create problems, MGEU warns
- Zellers to move into Bay basement
- Judge bans camera from Sinclair inquest
- 16-year-old boy charged with making racial comment over intercom at southern US Walmart
- She's not laughing anymore
- Freedom for Li expected
- Man shot after chasing car thieves
- City may open diamond lanes to more users
- He can escape her verbal abuse
- Gesturing rudely at OPP while in possession of stolen goods: not a good idea
- Play nice in your neighbour's dust
- Liberals say cutting MP mailings would save $10 million a year
- 'Smoking gun' misfires, gangster acquitted
- Eagles, Dixie Chicks to play stadium in June
- Teacher's lapdance caught on tape, watched by world
- She's not laughing anymore
- Students could be punished
- Police shoot and kill suspect
- Freedom for Li expected
- Second video of lap dance uncovered
- Wielding a weapon costs a life
- Mounties hook ice-fishers for open beer
- Canadian women's hockey team stunned by reaction to post-gold party
- Tough to fire lap-dancing teachers: division
- Zellers to move into Bay basement
- Derry to be different
- Price soldiers on despite woes for manufacturing industry
- Province's credit unions oblivious to downturn
- Manage yourself: Plan own career, using sound advice
- Rice of the Prairies gets raves
- Winnipeg Sun editor charged with child pornography
- Dear diary: Today I saw a play that was all about me!
- 16-year-old boy charged with making racial comment over intercom at southern US Walmart
- With celebration cigars ready, Fargo calmly waits for river to crest and flood threat to pass
- Eagles, Dixie Chicks to play stadium in June
- Condos at ex-Penthouse
- Grand Forks declares flood emergency
- Man shot after chasing car thieves
- It's the Sharks vs. the Jets in a jazzy rumble
- Is jet a trophy or just bad PR?
- Career Compass helps staff chart career paths
- Ice-cutting machine to stay submerged until spring
- Prairie proliferation
- Looking for small victories in the Mideast
- Text of Shane Koyczan's opening ceremonies poem, "We Are More"
- Teacher's lapdance caught on tape, watched by world
- Olympic-sized hypocrisy
- Cabela's to open across Canada
- Oprah's on, and so is our Jon!
- Online drug pioneer tumbles
- Mounties hook ice-fishers for open beer
- Not wrong, just illegal
- No listings for buyers flooding the housing market
- Second video of lap dance uncovered
PREVIOUS
6 Comments
Posted by: 1985
October 14, 2009 at 12:54 AM
How sad it is that it takes death to bring people together. I hope this man realized how many people cared for/about him while he was alive.
Posted by: jennysx
October 14, 2009 at 12:22 AM
If you have not been to Aquarius it was definitely the place to be after work or the club. I met lot of hot men there and enjoyed every moment I was there. I hope that it comes back stronger and better then ever before. It was a place I can go to after a hard day of work, sit in the steam room and enjoy my time with that special someone. It's too bad that 2 people had to die in there. I would like to express my sincerest sympathies to the families that lost their loved ones.
Posted by: polar_bear_66
October 13, 2009 at 2:59 PM
I am all woman and very hetro, I have been to AQ numerous times as it is a safe and clean place to go and play. The accusations one commentor in the article makes about the tensions are baseless. I personally have never seen a problem between gay and straight people. Matter of fact, the only tensions I had personally seen involved the straight folks. As in men and women.
No does mean no and generally accepted. Now you are always going to have those who lack manners, but that is in any place you might go. I've seen much worse in bars.
But you people have to make a fuss because others won't live by your conservative rules. Sexual adventure for you is taboo. I feel sorry for you. Well I WON'T live by your rules, I will make my own and if you don't like..too bad for you. I won't make excuses and won't apologize for who and what I am and what I enjoy. So you go back to your little missionary positions and leave the adventure to others much more capable of handling it.
From those of us who have an open mind, condolences to the family and friends of those lost. As well to the owner and staff of Aquarius, good friends are hard to replace.
Peace
Posted by: Scarlet
October 13, 2009 at 12:20 PM
My heart aches for the family of Steveo, for his friends who will miss him desperately and for the life he won't explore...
To Chai and staff...I wish words would work...I miss AQ so much and I hope you can rebuild!
I pray this was some horrible, tragic accident...not a hate crime as some suspect...let's all keep our minds open - we have the ability to participate in what we accept and walk away from what we don't...
Posted by: Endora Stevens
October 13, 2009 at 10:43 AM
I agree and I am also so sad.So to imagine what his closest friends and family are going through,, it must be so painful.
I knew him briefly and saw him a few hours before this tragedy.
Let us hope this not be a hate crime because not only would that be twisted and disgusting but factually, there are as many or more straight people than gay people that attend.
[edited: baseless accusation]
Once again, maybe Steve and the other person R.I.P..
Posted by: Sheri L
October 13, 2009 at 7:46 AM
My heart goes out to the Yablonski family. Fraserwood is a close knit town that I am certain will come together to offer support during this difficult time.
I hope to heaven this is not any sort of hate crime. A tragic accident is hard enough to deal with. Narrow minded human hatred would only make the pain worse.
Rest in peace, Steveo.