Tag Archives: bisexual

Pride & Prejudice

Posted on August 31, 2023 by | 2 comments

Like many Albertans, I was dismayed by the hateful events at Fort Macleod Pride last weekend. One constructive response is to support future Fort Macleod Pride programming through a donation: e-transfer to fmpride.payments@gmail.com.

Another response is to lean into community—it truly sustains us. Thirty-five years ago, Project Pride, a relatively new Calgary organization, hosted a softball tournament and dance at the end of August called Connection ’88. Through uniting many disparate groups, Project Pride’s events gained momentum at a time that was decidedly more hostile to queers than today—all the while during a worsening pandemic decimating the gay male community (AIDS). Project Pride eventually blossomed into the organization we know as Calgary Pride.

Connection ’88 Program

As we go into a busy Pride weekend in Calgary, I have been reflecting on a Sinead O’Connor song I was obsessed with when I started the Calgary Gay History Project in 2012. Called Something Beautiful, I find it especially poignant now that Sinead has passed. The biblical line in the song: “they dressed the wounds of my poor people as though they’re nothing/saying peace, peace, when there is no peace,” has stayed with me since I quoted it at my first queer history presentation in 2013.

So, my wish for 2023 is that we dress the wounds of our poor people. Let’s connect to our shared humanity. Let’s celebrate Pride.

{KA}

2 Comments

Posted in Gay history

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

YYCGayHistory @ Pride 2023

Posted on August 24, 2023 by | 5 comments

Here is a smattering of queer history offerings and more. So exciting – #OurPastMatters!

Tuesday, August 29th @ 7:00 PM @ The Central Library

Through the Multiverse: Queer Media Today. The 5th Annual Calgary Institute for the Humanities LGBTQ2S+ Lecture. Presented by Dr. Amy Villarejo, Chair, UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media. Registration is required, reception to follow.

Wednesday, August 30th, 5:30 – 7:00 PM @ CommunityWise

Pride Gay History Walk 2017. Photo: Gary Evans

Beltline Gay History Walk. Have you ever been curious about the role of CommunityWise (formerly the Old Y) in Calgary’s queer history? Join Kevin Allen and the Calgary Gay History Project to find out more! Tickets are what you can afford, and all proceeds go towards strengthening CommunityWise’s work in supporting all 2SLGBTQ+ community. Spaces are limited.

Thursday, August 31st, 6:00 – 7:00 PM @ The Backlot

A famous sign which predates the current location

The Golden Age of Gay Bars in YYC. There are many storied drinking holes, taverns, discos, and clubs in Calgary’s queer history. Join Kevin Allen for an informal chat about where they used to be and their significance to our community’s history. Meet up at one of the last remaining gay bars in the city—The Backlot (209 10 AVE. SW)!

Saturday, September 2nd, 7:30 PM @ Rising Tides Taproom

Program Pride, December 1996

Program Pride Relaunch. Program Pride was a community access television program in Alberta that ran from 1995 until 1997. A group of dedicated volunteers from Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton created programming that ran on Shaw Cable in all three cities. Join former cast and crew members at Rising Tides Taproom (4545 Bowness Rd NW) as Program Pride episodes get relaunched on YouTube. Solid gold for Alberta historians!

Sunday, September 3rd, Calgary Pride Festival @ Prince’s Island Park

Our Past Matters Book Signing. After the parade, find the Calgary Outlink booth at this year’s Pride Festival and buy a copy of Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary. Book sales support Outlink, Calgary’s exceptional community peer support organization. Author Kevin Allen will be signing books in the afternoon between 2:00-3:00 PM—or just come by for a visit!

There are so many excellent Pride events this year to choose from. Come out! Support community!

Happy Pride!

{KA}

5 Comments

Posted in Gay history

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dance Dance Revolution

Posted on August 17, 2023 by | 1 comment

{This week, we have a guest post from local queer history enthusiast and dancer Sean Buckley – K.}

Each year, during the first week of January, the United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC) holds a world championship with many different dance genres such as Two-Step, West Coast Swing, Line Dance, Cha-cha, Night Club, Waltz and more.

Getting to the annual world stage takes a year-long commitment and dedication: dancers must compete at UCWDC-sanctioned events in order to be eligible to hit the floor of the World Championships. The qualifying events are hosted in many countries, including a Calgary competition at the Hyatt Regency downtown. With so many official UCWDC competitions, the organization dramatically influences the ethos of the global dance community.

In January 2023, the UCWDC made waves throughout the global dance community by changing their official rules to allow any gender to dance with any gender—making history! Previously, dancers and dance pairs were limited to binary gender roles but the UCWDC committed to greater inclusion. The new rules must be adhered to throughout the entire global competition network.

As Keith Armbruster (UCWDC President and Calgary Dance Stampede Director) puts it:, “We value inclusion. Our roots inform our desire to be friendly, accessible, and welcoming to a diverse range of participants, regions, dance styles, and music. We strive to be welcoming, accessible, honest, ethical, and treat others with fairness, dignity, and respect.”

The upcoming World Championships next January (in Dallas, Texas) will be the first time the UCWDC world stage will host diverse competitors from around the world. The floor will not just be supporting the weight of dancers’ feet but also diversity. As the dancers challenge the dance floor for various world titles, the UCWDC challenges the world for greater inclusivity. 

Queer History Correspondent Sean Buckley

1 Comment

Posted in Gay history

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,