Central Library | Calgary Gay History

Tag Archives: Central Library

YYCGayHistory @ Pride 2023

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Kevin Allen | 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 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 Amy Villarejo, Backlot, Beltline, bisexual, Calgary, Calgary Institute for the Humanities, Calgary Pride, Central Library, CommunityWise, gay, gay bars, Gay history, Gay History Walk, lesbian, Our Past Matters, Prince's Island Park, Program Pride, queer, Rising Tides Taproom, transgender

Calgary “Sex Deviates” Saved Library

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Kevin Allen | 2 comments

{This week, we have a guest post from emerging historian Jason Brooks. Digging in the archives, he discovered that the storied Memorial Park Library was saved from redevelopment due to the shady company it kept! – Kevin}

In 1962, Calgary City Council was divided over the creation of a new central public library. While all sides agreed that the growing population required a new library, the location for such a building was contested. Mayor Harry Hays advocated for a location across from City Hall on the corner of 7^th Ave and 2^nd Street (later Macleod Trail) SE. However, opponents of this plan suggested the replacement of the then 50-year-old Memorial Park Library.

In response, Mayor Hays used a police report to argue that the site was dangerous to children since, “more homosexuals hang out there than anywhere else.” Despite the Mayor’s argument, the report concluded that no assaults had occurred to children under the age of 16 within the vicinity of Memorial Park.

After the debate, the new central library was built in 1964 at Mayor Hays’ preferred location. Memorial Park and its library continued to be a significant meeting point for Calgary’s queer community for the rest of the century, regardless of police scrutiny.