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}.
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.
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!
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!
The Calgary Gay History Project has been invited to participate in Empathy Week: a seven-day festival where people come together to celebrate human connection and foster empathy. The festival features events, discussions, workshops and exhibitions which discuss or promote empathy, diversity, inclusion, and our shared humanity.
On Sunday, June 4th at 4 PM, join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen on a walk through the city centre. We will highlight significant political and social events that affected the gay community. On the way, we will pass several former watering holes where Calgary queers gathered. Reserve your free tickets: here. The one-hour walk begins and ends at the Hyatt Regency Calgary (700 Centre Street SE), specifically at their 8th Avenue Entrance.
Steve Polyak, from Gay Calgary Magazine, taking a photo the 2017 downtown gay history walk.
Empathy Week has amplified the voices of hundreds of artists, changemakers, and people who experience systemic barriers in the last six years. Thousands of Calgarians have participated. Please consider volunteering for Empathy Week. Sign up: here.
Calgary Gay History 