Fifty years ago today, Calgary’s gay community had its self-described first “public” function. It was reported that on Halloween 1968, “about 100 nervous Gays showed dressed to the nines” at the Highland Golf and Country Club. This event, gave those anxious organizers courage to start the first gay clubs in the city.
Today, I just received the keys to my office on the top floor of the New Central Library. The building brought tears to my eyes and took my breath away. What an honour to be appointed as its first Historian in Residence. It is astounding to me that in fifty years we have come so far as a community – from hidden and underground to lofty and visible.
Book Cover Image: Club Carousel Woodcut by Calgary Artist Lisa Brawn
Additionally, Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary has gone to the printers. We expect it to be here in three weeks! We are sorting out the book launch currently (more details to come), but soon you will be able to read it (finally)!
Thank you for your patience in the book writing process. So much has happened with the Calgary Gay History Project in the last four years that informed the final text. I hope you will find it was worth the wait.
{KA}
Calgary Gay History 
Welcome back to CPL, Kevin!!
And I’m so excited to hear that the book is in the imminent future! (How much have you found that you want to add since you sent it off to the printers?)
And I love the woodcut cover by Lisa Brawn (who I remember well from the old days of Lesbian and Gay Youth Calgary [LGYC])… And whose sister Kari is a good friend of mine who also works at the library. It’s like a big old family. 🙂
congrats on new office 🙂 that had to have been a fun event at the highland golf thingy [ugh golf but still]
Congrats Kevin. Your good work is bearing well deserved fruit. It looks good on you.
Enjoy your beautiful office and your literary environment. It’s so you.
Pls DO keep us all updated with finalized details of the book launch. Looking forward to picking up a copy or 2.
So amazing!!! Congratulations on your new office, the book going to print, and bring so passionate and successful with sharing Calgary’s history!!! Thank you for all of your efforts and energy ❤️ Safa (Unity Mosque)
Congrats on your position and thank you for all your work to date!
Kate and Chinook Country Historical Society