Tag Archives: Calgary Pride

Pride Panel Announced

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Kevin Allen | 2 comments

October is Queer History Month! The Calgary Gay History Project has organized a panel to explore Pride’s local history in collaboration with Calgary Pride and the Calgary Public Library. Join us Tuesday, October 24th, at 6 PM for Calgary Pride: A Catalyst for Social Change.

To speak with us, we have found four amazing people from different points in Calgary Pride’s history: Nancy Miller, James Demers, Dallas Barnes, and Sumit Munjal.

Nancy Miller joined the Military Police right out of high school. Following her release, Nancy testified to the Canadian Human Rights Commission during their 1983 cross-country hearings on discrimination against homosexuals in the military. Nancy was recognized in 2016 with the Chinook Fund LGBTQ Hero Award for her role in coordinating Calgary’s first Pride marches and other equity-seeking actions as a member of the Calgary Lesbian and Gay Political Action Guild (CLAGPAG) in the early 1990s.

James Demers has been involved in Calgary Pride in various capacities since 2007. James is a senior strategist and equity educator specializing in gender and sexual diversity (GSD) communities. He has worked as a local community builder ranging from trans health advocacy to public education to performing and producing queer art with Fake Mustache Drag and Reading with Royalty. Currently, James is championing non-violent protest intervention strategies to address increasing misinformation and charter violations against queer citizens.

Dallas Barnes is a queer feminist, activist, and writer who has worked with Calgary Pride, Interpride, Calgary Outlink, and the Treaty 7 Dyke and Trans March. Dallas joined the board of Calgary Pride in 2008 after it financially collapsed and was part of the leadership team which moved the parade from June to September and incorporated Pride as a non-profit society.

Sumit Munjal is the current Manager of Production and Programming at Calgary Pride. Sumit is an Indian-born Canadian with a diverse communications, marketing, retail development and design background. As an avid supporter of minority groups and diversity in the workplace, Sumit takes a unique inclusionary approach to design and marketing that challenges the status quo high art. He believes the narrative of Canadian diversity needs to shift from tokenism to shared beliefs of fundamental human rights and respect for lived experience.

The panel will be hosted by the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen.

Seats are limited. Reserve your spot (free) for Calgary Pride: A Catalyst for Social Change today.

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Posted in Gay history

Tagged bisexual, Calgary, Calgary Pride, calgary public library, Chinook Fund, Dallas Barnes, gay, Gay history, James Demers, lesbian, Nancy Miller, queer, Sumit Munjal, transgender

Calgary Pride: A Catalyst for Social Change

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

The Pride Movement has been a mighty agent of social change. But how did Pride impact Calgary specifically? Join us Tuesday, October 24th, from 6:00-7:30 PM, at the Central Library, where we delve into that question with a history panel of former and current Calgary Pride leaders.

Calgary Pride has come a long way since its inception rally in 1990. The Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen will lead discussions with panelists about the evolution of Calgary Pride. We will begin by revisiting the humble beginnings of Calgary Pride, tracing its roots back to the early activists who paved the way. Discover how their courage and resilience shaped the movement we know today.

Learn about the impactful initiatives and events organized by Calgary Pride that continue to make a positive difference in our city. Our panelists will share their experiences and discuss the ongoing challenges and opportunities for social justice in Calgary. Looking ahead, we will explore the exciting prospects for Calgary Pride as it continues to evolve.

Panelists will offer insights into the strategies and goals of Calgary Pride as they work towards a future where everyone can live authentically. Take advantage of this thought-provoking evening that honours the past, celebrates the present, and embraces the future of Calgary Pride as a catalyst for social change in our city.

Calgary Pride: A Catalyst for Social Change is presented in collaboration with the Calgary Public Library and Calgary Pride. Spaces are limited—reserve a spot here.

*Pride March in 1991: Calgary Herald Photo*

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Posted in Gay history

Tagged bisexual, Calgary, Calgary Pride, calgary public library, gay, Gay history, human-rights, lesbian, queer, transgender

Gross Indecency (the film): 5 Years Later

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Our film Gross Indecency: The Everett Klippert Story premiered in 2018. That year, it won the Best of Alberta award at the Calgary International Film Festival and since has had an active online presence (YouTube).

Historian Kevin Allen is grateful that the short film helped elevate Everett’s story into public consciousness, particularly the role his court case played in the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada. Since the film launched, there has been a steady stream of people reaching out to the Calgary Gay History Project (particularly educators), who have brought the film into their high school classes and university conferences.

The film’s director, Laura O’Grady from Snapshot Studios, remarked: “What struck me when we were filming Gross Indecency was the power of allies. It became clear that it was Everett’s cis Christian sister who fought for her brother. If it wasn’t for her courage and perseverance the case would probably never have made the Supreme Court, and Everett would have spent his entire adult life in prison. Human rights are hard earned and easily lost. As Canadians who value our way of life, we must always be vigilant and protect those who cannot stand or advocate for themselves.”

Many people who see the film comment on the touching human story at the film’s heart. Furthermore, Calgarians resonate with a tale that takes place in their city. Curiously, distant relatives of Everett have discovered the film and felt a strange connection to that gentle man from across the generations.

One of the most powerful outcomes of the research and the film was meeting Ottawa-based lawyer Brian Crane, who defended Everett at the Supreme Court in 1967. Amazingly, he is still practicing law today (in his 90s).

In early 2020, the Klippert family applied to the Parole Board of Canada for an expungement of their uncle’s criminal record. Mr. Crane assisted the family with the application pro bono. It’s remarkable that Mr. Crane’s career spanned these two ends of Everett’s story.

The expungement order was granted on November 18, 2020, which means Everett was deemed never to have been a criminal. His family is deeply satisfied with the outcome.

*Kevin Allen and Brian Crane in conversation as part of Calgary Pride’s 2020 History Program*

We are thankful we got to participate in the making of Gross Indecency. Our sincere gratitude goes out to Laura O’Grady, the driving force behind this beautiful film.

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