b'RAINBOW CONNECT MEMBER SPOTLIGHTMORE THAN TEASince opening, The Naked Leaf has also helped to promote and support local artists. When you buy tea products from The Naked Leaf, they are packaged in tea tins with labels featuring colourful images designed and submitted by emerging and established artists. These are paid commissions, maybe not much, says Kane, but it is important that we recognize and value the arts in community. We also strive to help promote them through our website and social media. We need to support one another.For a small, independent business, the COVID-19 pandemic was a tough time. To thank their customers for their continued support, Kane and The Naked Leaf pledged to share $1,000 each month with non-profit organizations supporting Calgary youth. For many of these agencies, the contribution helped to sustain local programming, given the reduction in their ability to fundraise during the pandemic.Efforts are now underway to create and host a series of tea talks where customers and community members can safely gather, hear a speaker and meet people up close. Sometimes, when we have the ability to meet people that have different experiences and backgrounds than ourselves, it helps to build bridges, says Kane. It is all part of being a good neighbour. The first series of talks will be by individuals from the Indigenous community, including Two-Spirit speakers and residential school survivors.FULL CIRCLEKane and his husband came to Calgary so he could accept a new job teaching at the University of Calgary in the Fine Arts program. An accomplished dancer, Kane toured the world with a ballet company after discovering his passion for dance at the age ofJonathan Kane18. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, dance became Kanes ticket to such far-off places like China, Japan, Russia, Europe and many destinations across North America.Like other LGBTQ+ Calgarians, he has found It was as a dancer that Kane discovered hethe community to be open and welcoming. had an allergy to coffee. So he began drinkingAnd he doesnt shy away from using his social tea, not realizing that his taste for the ancientmedia, i.e., his Instagram accountbrew would someday turn into a prosperous@nakedleaf, to take the occasionalday with his gay kiss video that was offered and inviting business, as well as a destinationopportunity to put forward some edgy, gay- for Pride 2021! Thousands more, however, for other tea connoisseurs. friendly, sexy posts. Its all meant in fun, andhave remained. As a proud, gay business owner, Kanewe need to be how we want others to be withEverything, as they say, is a work in believes it is important to not only supportus, he explains. progress, and for Kane, staying true to others in the LGBTQ+ community, but to be aThat said, not everyone has always beenhimself remains key as he continues to build positive influence on the broader community.on board. Kane lost over 80 followers in onehis retail business. Issue 1 2022 | QBiz CANADA |25'