Calgary Gay History

YYC Queer Church History this Sunday

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

The Calgary Gay History Project is presenting at Knox United Church this weekend. They are celebrating 10 years as an Affirming Congregation, with an all ages dance, special worship service, music and our history presentation.

We will be exploring Calgary’s LGBTQ community’s relationship to Christianity from the 1960s to the 1980s – decades of profound social change in our city. Church leaders were dramatically varied in their responses to homosexuality, causing at times sharp divisions and existential crises within faith communities – a phenomenon we still witness happening today.

Please join us at 1 PM at Knox United Church, 506 4th St. SW. for this public presentation and check out Knox’ other weekend celebrations: here.

{KA}

Gay History Walk on Sunday!

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Matthew Gillespie on a walk through the Beltline from 10:30 AM – Noon. We will travel to significant historical gathering spots for the gay community in this inner city neighbourhood, including Calgary’s first gay bar, from 1968, Club Carousel.

Meet: CommunityWise (The Former Old Y) 223 12 Avenue SW

Originally from Montreal, Matt first got a glimpse of Calgary during a summer vacation in 1977 and returned in 1980 to work the summer laying carpet in Esso Plaza downtown. After university, he made the decision to go west for good in 1988. Matt has been active in the community thru Apollo Friends in Sports, Rocky Mountain Singers, Pride Calgary, GLCSA, One Voice Chorus and the Calgary Men’s Chorus.

The Calgary Gay History Project has been involved with Jane’s Walk since 2013 and the May walks have seen a great variety of weather conditions, including snow! Intrepid walkers came out regardless. Here is a photo montage of past walks.

Larger than a Calgary Pride Parade in the 90s perhaps?

{KA}

Upcoming Events and Holiday Hiatus

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

The Calgary Gay History Project is going to be subdued over the next four weeks. However, you can look forward to these Spring programming events.

Sunday, April 23rd 7 PM @ The Globe Cinema

We are partnering with the Calgary Underground Film Festival to present the WORLD PREMIERE of THE UNTOLD TALES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN. The film is about the celebrated author whose Tales of the City books were groundbreaking works of gay fiction. This series of nine books published between 1978 and 2014 mirrored developments in the gay rights movement across North America.

Armistead Maupin

Sunday, May 7th, 10:30 AM @ Community Wise (The Old Y) 223 12 Ave. SW

Beltline Gay History Walk (part of Jane’s Walk Weekend)

Join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Matthew Gillespie on a walk through the Beltline. We will travel to significant historical gathering spots for the gay community in this inner city neighbourhood, including Calgary’s first gay bar, from 1968, Club Carousel. Everyone welcome.

10th Anniversary Jane’s Walk

Sunday, May 14th, 1:00 PM @ Knox United Church, 506 4 St SW

To celebrate Knox’s 10 year anniversary of being an affirming congregation in the United Church of Canada, the church is hosting a number events including a presentation on the history of the LGBTQ community and organized spirituality in Calgary. More details to come.