Category Archives: Press Release

Klippert Case Officially Recognized as Historic Event in Canada

Posted on November 27, 2025 by Kevin Allen | 2 comments

We are happy to report that our application to the National Program of Historical Commemoration was rewarded. The Klippert Case recently got an official nod from the Government of Canada. It is now designated a historic event of national significance. Parks Canada, which administers the program, has an intensive screening and deliberation process—they conducted extensive research before reaching their decision.

Parks Canada wrote a detailed backgrounder on the designation, explaining, “The Klippert Case of 1967 was a pivotal moment in the fight for 2SLGBTQI+ rights in Canada.”

One of the goals of the Calgary Gay History Project is to make our history more visible in the City. With this designation, we will get a bronze plaque in Calgary (in a public location) to finalize the commemoration.

Learn more about the Klippert Case—watch our award-winning short film, directed by Laura O’Grady!

We would like to sincerely thank Mount Royal University history professor Joe Anderson for informing us about the application process to the National Program of Historical Commemoration.

Anyone can submit a nomination to this program!

We believe that there was no queer history represented in the Directory of Federal Heritage Designations before this, but we changed that! Now we need more…

{KA}

2 Comments

Posted in Gay history, Press Release

Tagged bisexual, Calgary, Everett Klippert, gay, Gay history, Government of Canada, gross indecency, human-rights, Klippert Case, Laura O'Grady, lesbian, National Program of Historical Commemoration, Parks Canada, queer, transgender

The Librarians at CUFF.Docs

Posted on November 13, 2025 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

The 13th edition of CUFF.Docs runs from November 19th to 23rd, 2025, and their documentary presentation of The Librarians couldn’t be more timely. The award-winning film explores book banning in the United States, where Librarians have emerged as unexpected superheroes fighting against censorship and discrimination.

Our provincial government banned four books this past summer on the flimsiest of grounds (please see my review of the banned & fantastic graphic novel, Fun Home). Notably, the local advocates of book banning and the titles they target are deeply influenced by this import of White Christian Nationalism. They also tried to influence the recent school board elections in Calgary; fortunately, they were unsuccessful.

The Alberta premiere of The Librarians screens Sunday, November 23rd at 11 AM at the Globe Cinema.

“Equal parts foreboding and inspiring, recently christened Oscar-nominee director Kim Snyder’s The Librarians, reaffirms why the vocation of librarians is a vital one, particularly in an age of rampant misinformation and censorship by the country’s most conservative and insecure. Spotlighting librarians who are at the center of book bans–in places like Texas and Florida–the film highlights how they join together and support each other while politicians are there to criminalize librarians’ work.” – Roger Ebert

Watch the trailer below! See you at the movies.

{KA}

Book Launch: Cruising the Downtown

Posted on October 29, 2025 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

We couldn’t be happier that the Edmonton Queer History Project has just launched its first book, Cruising the Downtown: Celebrating Edmonton’s Queer History. Edited by Kristopher Wells, it is a collaborative history that celebrates the people, places, and moments that have shaped and continue to shape the Capital City by moving through civic landmarks, sites of queer resistance, nightlife, celebration, and activist spaces.

Cover: *Cruising the Downtown: Celebrating Edmonton’s Queer History*

In Calgary, the book is currently in stock at Pages and Shelf Life. I have already picked up a copy; it is a colourful and lively read.

Calgary and Edmonton’s queer histories intersect and interact. Not only did the Alberta government historically impact our rights in both cities, but there has always been significant movement between the cities. For example, Calgary’s Club Carousel and Edmonton’s Club ’70 considered themselves sibling organizations, and early gay activists from both cities collaborated on provincial gay newspapers and magazines, and then later on community cable shows. The Alberta clubs built on their regional networks and helped initiate the first gay liberation activities on the Prairies in the early 70s.

*Edmonton’s Club ’70 Newsletter, citing one of the first gay rights conventions in the Prairies.* Source Edmonton Queer History Project

There are two book launches planned in Edmonton: November 1st at Evolution Wonderlounge and November 6th at Audreys Books. Read more queer history—pick up your own copy of Cruising the Downtown. Congratulations, Edmonton Queer History Project!

{KA}