Calgary Gay History

Queer Summer in the City

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

In the lead up to Calgary Pride, the city gets decidedly queerer. Thank you to everyone who came out for our park-side gay history event on Monday with Lois in Lois Szabo Commons. It was the perfect evening. Thanks also to our sponsors, Calgary Pride and Historic Calgary Week {whose final events are happening this weekend}.

*Kevin and Lois sharing history in Lois Szabo Commons. Photo courtesy of Mr. Fab.*

We are doing a queer history walk with Calgary Outlink on Monday, August 12th at 6 PM. It’s free, but you have to register in advance—a $10 donation is encouraged for all the great work Outlink does in supporting our community.

Drag sensation Francheska Dynamites messaged us about a Queer in Alberta documentary screening on Friday, August 16th, in collaboration with Lavender Club YYC. Tickets are $5 or pay what you can at the door—check it out.

{KA}

Meet Lois in Lois Szabo Commons!

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

On Monday, July 29th at 7:00 pm, step into history with Lois Szabo, a 2SLGBTQ+ community builder, as she engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Kevin Allen of the Calgary Gay History Project. Please join us at Lois Szabo Commons: 936 16 Avenue SW and enjoy complimentary pizza and soda, sponsored by Calgary Pride. Bring a folding chair if you have one.

In 2021, the City of Calgary unveiled Lois Szabo Commons, a park in the Beltline, as a testament to Lois’ instrumental role in the creation and development of the groundbreaking gay bar, Club Carousel, in 1970.

*Lois with politicians, friends and family at the Park’s dedication ceremony. Photo: Marlene Hielema.*

This free event is part of Historic Calgary Week 2024. There are 88 events to take in during the fascinating 11-day history festival. The theme this year, Community Builders, will focus on the people and organizations that have made Calgary and surrounding area a desirable and vibrant place to live.

Bonus queer history event on the same day, July 29, at the Central Library:

3:30 – 4:30 pm — Generations United: Connecting Calgary’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

Join Historian in Residence, Tess McNaughton, in an exploration of Calgary’s 2SLGBTQIA+ history. In this presentation, Tess will share their research so far and explore queer stories of Calgary, proving that resilience and strength are timeless qualities. From overcoming adversity to celebrating triumphs, dive into the diverse history of this city. Through this presentation, you will gain insight and respect for the vibrant queer community members who have called Calgary home.

{KA}

The LGBT Purge: The True Story

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Montreal-based journalist Shawn Dearn has released the second season of his award-winning podcast, Queer Legends: The True Story of Canada’s LGBT Purge. Impeccably researched, it tells the story of the LGBT Purge in Canada from World War I until today. “The Purge” was the Government of Canada’s effort to eliminate queers from the military and public service, which the Government apologized for in 2017. The story of the purge is significant queer history in its own right, but it also parallels the community’s ongoing struggle to achieve equality.

Kevin Allen from the Calgary Gay History Project is featured in episode 3. He discusses Calgary bus driver Everett Klippert and his pivotal role in Canadian history.

Queer Legends was sponsored by the LGBT Purge Fund, which notably has also commissioned Thunderhead a national queer history monument in Ottawa. The Purge Fund is programming events across the country. Rumour has it that there will be a pop-up event in Calgary sometime in August. We’ll keep you posted when we find out more.

{KA}