Author Archives: Kevin Allen

Rocky Mountain Singers—Remembered

Posted on April 15, 2021 | 1 comment

On Monday, April 19th at 7:30 PM, join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen (and guests) as we explore the history of Calgary’s first lesbian and gay chorus, the Rocky Mountain Singers. This remembering event has been commissioned by One Voice Chorus as part of its new online programming series, OVC Talks: A Rainbow of Ideas.

The Rocky Mountain Singers (RMS), 1989-2002, became an important focus of artistic expression in Calgary’s LGBTQ2 community. In interviews with Kevin, past choristers expressed very fond and cherished memories of RMS. The chorus actively built and strengthened the LGBTQ2 community in Calgary and through their participation choristers created enduring friendships that have lasted into the present.

*Rocky Mountain Singers at the international GALA Choral Festival in Tampa, Florida (1996)*

RMS had a well-known public presence and performed regularly; they were musical ambassadors for many gay community organizations including Calgary Pride. The chorus participated actively in the growing gay choral movement of the 1990s and represented both Calgary and Canada at national and international festivals. RMS paved the way for future LGBTQ2 choral organizations in the city, including the contemporary Calgary Men’s Chorus and One Voice Chorus.

*The first public mention of RMS in Modern Pink, September 1989*

Join us Monday, for an hour of conversation, archival footage, images and song, as we remember this historic and noteworthy organization. This event is free to attend. Be sure to RSVP through One Voice Chorus to receive a zoom link to join on April 19th. #OurPastMatters

*Former alto Nicole Frandsen’s RMS pin.*

{KA}

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Posted in Gay history

Tagged bisexual, GALA, gay, lesbian, Modern Pink, One Voice Chorus, queer, Rocky Mountain Singers, transgender

Who made you an authority?

Posted on April 8, 2021 | Leave a comment

History can be problematic. Kevin explores these issues in an essay composed for the Lougheed House. The House is a National Historic Site and Museum which is undergoing a process of reimagining its programming and permanent exhibitions.

*Kevin Allen at Lougheed House from a 2018 article in Star Metro*

The Lougheed House is a Calgary gay history site as well, being the former location of the notorious Fruit Loop—Calgary’s gay prostitution stroll.

Read Kevin’s essay, here. “What you ‘know’ today might be different tomorrow. The truth can be a moving target.”

{KA}

Were you sporty in the last century?

Posted on March 18, 2021 | Leave a comment

{This week we are sharing a call for participants in a research project investigating local LGBTQ+ sports history.}

My name is William Bridel and I am an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. I am also a 2020-2021 Calgary Institute for the Humanities Fellow. I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

*Calgary’s CLUE Magazine and their cover story about the 1994 Gay Games*

I am conducting research to explore sport and physical activity in the lives of Calgarians who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or another LGBTQ+ identity and who participated in sport or physical activity during the time period of approximately 1960 to the early 2000s. My primary interest is in investigating the role sport and physical activity played in individuals’ lives but also in relation to community-building. My project seeks to build on the amazing work of Kevin Allen and the Calgary Gay History Project as well as research done with a former honours student at the University of Calgary, Connor MacDonald. The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB20-1526).

*A Calgary Softball Team from the 1960’s that was predominantly lesbian*

For this study, I am seeking individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and who participated in sport or physical activity in Calgary at some point between the 1960s and early 2000s. Participants must also be English-speaking as I am unilingual. You will be asked to participate in an interview lasting around 60 to 90 minutes during which we will talk about your participation in sport—mainstream and/or LGBTQ+ specific (e.g., Apollo, Different Strokes, softball, bowling, etc.)—or physical activity (e.g., YMCA/YWCA). I would also like to discuss the meaning that sport and physical activity has had in your life.

*Calgary’s Different Strokes Swim Club at the Gay Games in Australia (2002)*

I will be conducting interviews virtually given the global pandemic; we can discuss different options such as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, phone, etc. The interviews will be confidential, and steps will be taken to ensure your privacy throughout the process. If you choose, a pseudonym can be used in place of your name and team and organization names can be altered at your request. Interviews will be scheduled for a day/time that is most convenient for you.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please email me at william.bridel@ucalgary.ca with the following information: (1) name; (2) brief comment on your involvement in sport and/or physical activity during the 1960s to early 2000s; (3) your gender identity and sexuality; and (4) your pronouns. Once your message is received, I will contact you to discuss the study in further detail and to determine if you are still interested in volunteering to participate.

*Womyn’s Annual Golf Classic organizers, Sam & Bailey, organized Lesbian long weekends in Fernie, BC in the 90s*

I am also happy to answer any questions that you may have about the study. I can be reached at william.bridel@ucalgary.ca. Thanks so much for your time and consideration. —William (he/him)