Earlier this year we were contacted by textbook publisher Nelson Education Ltd. They were working on a Grade 10 history publication, History Uncovered. The textbook, designed for the Ontario public school curriculum wanted to cite our article “Invisible: Queer Immigrants in the 1940s and 1950s” written by Calgary Gay History Project researcher Tereasa Maillie.
We said, “yes please!”
A few weeks ago our copies of the textbooks came in the mail, and we were delighted to learn there was a presence with regard to gay rights throughout the publication. History Uncovered reports on Everett Klippert and the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969, same-sex marriage in 2005, as well as and the Delwin Vriend, Supreme Court verdict in 1998, which ‘read in’ sexual orientation as a protected ground in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
I recall a much different Grade 10 Social Studies class in 1985; we had no presence in the textbooks to speak of! How thrilling to see our project become part of school curriculum.
On the subject of gratitude, the Calgary Gay History Project wishes all of our readers and supporters happy holidays. We look forward to connecting with you again in 2015!
Calgary Gay History 